John R. Gunn
Encyclopedia
The Reverend John R. Gunn (August 17, 1877 - November 15, 1956) was first a minister, and then at about age 43 became a columnist
whose daily messages inspired readers for over 36 years. After his death, letters to the editor
requested that the columns continue, and so they were reprinted daily for 15 more years. A short time later his messages became radio
scripts for the Presbyterian Church in the United States
. The 1984 Peabody Award-winning program 'The Protestant Hour' was produced by the Protestant Radio and Television Center of Atlanta for 10 years. Reverend Gunn’s work, written and audio, is still available at Day1 http://day1.org/, a ministry of The Alliance for Christian Media transitioning from Facing Life http://www.facinglife.net/.
in the humblest of circumstances in Camak
in Warren County
Georgia
. His father was Robert T. Gunn, the son of a wealthy cotton
planter, Jonathan Gunn of Taliaferro County
, Georgia. Robert’s life was cut short due to the rigors of life following the Civil War. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Gunn, daughter of Reverend Thomas J. Veazey, a widely known and much beloved Baptist preacher, through whose efforts a number of Baptist churches were founded in middle Georgia.
In a reference to the privations of the times Gunn recalled that he had an optimistic outlook on life from the earliest days of his youth. He explained, “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth; there had been a silver spoon laid up for me, but a man by the name of Sherman
came marching through Georgia and he created quite a commotion in the midst of which that spoon got misplaced, so I had to make out with a pewter
spoon.” He said further, “In the course of my life I’ve had some dark days—very dark days—but never a day dark enough to put out the light of hope. Through the years I have suffered many disappointments; I have seen time and again some dream, some cherished plan, crumble into dust. But thanks unto God, I have a faith which has kept me continually looking for a brighter tomorrow. My optimism
dates back to the home of my childhood. I caught it from my mother at whose knee I was taught to pray.”
“Left a widow
with four little boys at the time of the terrible aftermath of the Civil War when the days were dark and there was scarcely a ray of light anywhere on the horizon, when the little family had been moved out of that antebellum
mansion into a little two-room cabin there at the humble fireside, she set up a family altar
of prayer. Night after night she gathered her little brood around her, read a chapter from the Bible
, and knelt with them and lifted her heart to God in prayer.”
Following the death of her husband and one son, Mary moved her young family to Jewell, Georgia
, where she conducted a millinery and sewing business, and where the boys went to school part of the time and worked part of the time in the cotton factory. Very early in life Jack, as he was known, had said he wanted to be a preacher
, and at the age of ten he joined with the Baptist church in Jewell, Georgia, a church founded by his grandfather, Reverend Thomas J. Veazey. This map shows the general geographical vicinity of Gunn’s youth in middle Georgia. http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/histcountymaps/hancock1865map.htm
During these years young Gunn attracted the attention of Col. W. L. L. Bowen, one of the owners of the cotton factory and a deacon
in the Jewell church. He had observed Gunn taking an active part in the work of the church, especially in the prayer meetings. Sometimes he would take a text and preach a sermon
. Soon Col. Bowen made an appearance where Gunn worked, observed him a long while, and then approached him and said, “Jack, I want to have a talk with you; tomorrow afternoon I will come for you in my buggy and I want you to take a ride with me.” Somehow Gunn sensed that this was to be meaningful insofar as his life-dream was concerned. Although Col. Bowen was not aware of Gunn’s desire to be a preacher, he told him that was what he wanted to talk to him about and that he had felt impressed of the Lord to do it. When he discovered Gunn’s deep interest in the ministry, he was convinced that the Lord was leading and the die was cast. Col. Bowen talked about attending high school
and college
and introduced Gunn to Baptist leaders in the area.
According to the historical records of the Jewell Baptist Church, Gunn was licensed to preach at the age of 14. About that time he attended high school in Hephzibah, Georgia
, graduating in the spring of 1897. From there he enrolled in Mercer University
(Macon, Georgia
) where he was a champion debator. During his high school and college years he frequently preached supplying pulpit
s and assisting pastors with revival meeting
s. Jack was educated at Mercer University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
(Louisville, Tennessee
). During his last year at Mercer he served as pastor of Balerma Baptist Church near Sparta, Georgia
. A few years later while at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1903–1905) he served Highland Park Church in Louisville, Kentucky
. At SBTS he studied under theologians Archibald Thomas Robertson
, John Richard Sampey, Edgar Young Mullins
and William Joseph McGlothlin, the last three of whom became presidents of SBTS.
from Mercer in the Spring of 1900, Central Baptist Church of Atlanta extended a call to young Gunn and this is where he found his beloved wife and life companion, Nellie Higgins. After two years, the Dahlonega Baptist Church (Dahlonega, Georgia
) invited him to serve. This assignment was interrupted when an urgent request came from Dr. C. H. S. Jackson, President of Bessie Tift College (Forsyth, Georgia
) to raise an endowment fund. Enrolling in the seminary
at Louisville was next, after which the Georgia Industrial Home in Macon beckoned Gunn to become their General Manager. During his service at GIH he built an administrative building called Mumford Hall. His next assignment was the First Baptist Church of Madison, Georgia, where he served five years.
Bessie Tift College again appealed for his help to raise money and a trip to New York
was arranged. While in New York City
he was invited to preach at North Baptist Church, a church supported by John D. Rockefeller
. North Baptist promptly invited Reverend Gunn to be their pastor
, and he served for two years. During this period this church was said to have attracted the largest congregation of any church in the downtown part of the city. According to the 1923 biography
, he undertook a class of young men studying for the ministry, several of who became active ministers.
Nashville, Tennessee
was the next assignment and here he succeeded Dr. George A. Lofton http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/rbmscl/lofton/inv/, who had served Nashville’s Central Baptist Church for the preceding 27 years. Lofton, an author, had written a book entitled Character Sketches (1890) that inspired Gunn when he was younger.
In 1917 Gunn was invited to speak to a medical convention in Nashville, Tennessee and this led to an invitation to become the minister of the First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana
, now known as the Fort Wayne Baptist Church. During his tenure the church became known for strong expository preaching and was one of the most popular churches in the city. A local attorney
and U.S. Congressman
David Hogg
said, “Within the memory of the present generation no pastor has ministered to the spiritual development of the people of Fort Wayne as has Reverend John R. Gunn. His sermons ever impart a vitalizing power and contain a wealth of life and inspiration. As an orator he is versatile and scholarly and stirs the heart as well as appeals to the intellect. His keen understanding, profound knowledge and virile eloquence have given him the foremost rank among Indiana
pastors.” Some years later, on March 21, 1928, to be exact, Congressman Hogg invited Reverend Gunn to join him at the White House
for the Medal of Honor
presentation to Charles Lindbergh
by President Coolidge
. Thereafter, in the afternoon, Congressman Hogg arranged for Reverend Gunn to fly with other members of congress in a demonstration flight with “Lindy.”
The following is an excerpt from the bulletin of the First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, written in 1952: "Dr. Gunn was our minister from 1917 to 1927. During that decade he wove his way into the heart and affection of throngs of people. Following his retirement from our church, he relinquished the active pastorate due to conditions of health." "During the many years following he has had one of the most remarkable of all ministries--the ministry of the printed page. He enters more homes, chats with more people every weekday in the year than any minister could ever hope to do. His daily sermons are masterpieces in literature
and always convey pointed messages for high and noble living."
"His written work is read by people in all walks of life and of all religious persuasions. Of this good man, Malachi
2:6 and 7 gives us a true picture: ‘The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. . . he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts’." The Fort Wayne church gave Dr. Gunn the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus.
A remarkable editorial
by Frank Roberts appeared in The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne following Dr. Gunn's death. "For more than 36 years, he daily brought inspiration and light to the readers of The Journal Gazette with his 'Short Sermon For Today,' a column unique in the history of American journalism
.... he was a master of English prose
, a thorough scholar whose Bible was his chief delight and the source of his wisdom." http://www.facinglife.net/editorial.aspx
Gunn’s career of communicating God’s word in an ecumenical way didn’t even pause at his passing. His daily columns’ about forming ideals, facing up to life's challenges, building a strong faith, facing tragedy
, rendering wise judgment, enriching friendship
s, seeking forgiveness
, repairing a broken heart, loneliness, and just about every other condition in which the human spirit finds itself kept right on going. Countless readers of The Journal Gazette have expressed how much his practical advice meant to them. His column entitled "A Short Sermon for Today" demonstrated Dr. Gunn's unique talent to interpret Christian thought in a condensed fashion and in a way that attracted people of different faiths. Little did Gunn know that the audience for his writing would be expanded through so many different media! First The Journal Gazette continued to reprint his columns daily for 15 years beyond his passing; then over 2,000 radio station
s carried his messages daily for 10 years; today his work is available on the Internet
.
Gunn’s early years were devoted to denominational enterprises such as the Baptist college
s, a Baptist orphanage
, Baptist missions and of course Baptist churches. In later years as a newspaper columnist and author, his interest took on an interfaith aura that brought the Christian faith to his readers in the public arena. More biographical information can be found in Volume 3, Baptist Biography published in 1923 by Index Printing Company, the source of part of this document.
were united in marriage June 26, 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia. The marriage was solemnized by Reverend R. E. L. Harris, who was pastor of the Jewell Baptist Church where Gunn was licensed to preach eleven years earlier. Six children blessed this union, the first having died in infancy
. Nellie shared a deep faith and commitment with her husband. This couple was devoted to each other and to their children and grandchildren. Nell Gunn was also a writer contributing many articles to the Atlanta Constitution
on a variety of topics including history
and bird photography
. Toward the end of life Gunn said, “My great desire is to demonstrate that God goes with us even down to old age; that his grace is always sufficient for those who trust Him, sufficient to sustain us in old age.” Although born in 1875 and older, Nell survived her husband but died in 1967. They are buried in Westview Cemetery.
“Faith in God subdues the stings of the past, the worries of the present, and the fears of the future.”
“No man (or woman) has learned how to live until he knows how to distribute himself, where to place the emphasis and where not to place it.”
“The character of a good person is the most illuminating light shining in this world. Genius and brilliance are admirable qualities, but too often brilliance is no more than a display of pointless wit or clever cynicism. It might be clever to face life with a cynical sneer, but it is never elevating. We tend to keep the spotlight turned on mere brilliance and cleverness. But, we should, with advantage, focus on the supreme value of genuine goodness as it shines through the character of the good person.”
“The memories we create are connected with our names. What sort of memories will your name stand for when you are gone? It depends on the kind of life you’ve lived. The memory of the just is blessed (Proverbs 10:7). Be kind, just, and good, and when you depart this world you still leave a name fragrant with blessed memories, which will be a heavenly benediction in all the circles in which you have lived.”
The web site offers in convenient form some of the thousands of messages originally published in newspapers, books, and over the radio. Reverend Gunn said, "throughout these thirty-six years I have sought through my daily writings to point out God's answer to human needs as revealed in the Bible.... It is my hope and prayer that He whom they seek to honor will use them in a wide sphere."
Fellowship http://www.fteleaders.org/ was named for Reverend and Mrs. John R. Gunn. Family members and friends pledged an ongoing gift to the Fund in support of its Ministry Fellows Program. The gift will be used to provide one fellowship annually for talented and qualified candidates who demonstrate a desire to become a minister of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ and whose aim is expository preaching.
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
whose daily messages inspired readers for over 36 years. After his death, letters to the editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
requested that the columns continue, and so they were reprinted daily for 15 more years. A short time later his messages became radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
scripts for the Presbyterian Church in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The 1984 Peabody Award-winning program 'The Protestant Hour' was produced by the Protestant Radio and Television Center of Atlanta for 10 years. Reverend Gunn’s work, written and audio, is still available at Day1 http://day1.org/, a ministry of The Alliance for Christian Media transitioning from Facing Life http://www.facinglife.net/.
Early life and education
Gunn was born in the wake of the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in the humblest of circumstances in Camak
Camak, Georgia
Camak is a town in Warren County, Georgia, United States. The town is located just off Interstate 20 between Atlanta and Augusta, GA. The population was 165 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Camak is located at ....
in Warren County
Warren County, Georgia
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 19, 1793. As of 2000, the population was 6,336. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 5,908...
Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. His father was Robert T. Gunn, the son of a wealthy cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
planter, Jonathan Gunn of Taliaferro County
Taliaferro County, Georgia
Taliaferro County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,077, making it the least populous county east of the Mississippi River. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 1,884. The county seat is Crawfordville.The spelling of the...
, Georgia. Robert’s life was cut short due to the rigors of life following the Civil War. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Gunn, daughter of Reverend Thomas J. Veazey, a widely known and much beloved Baptist preacher, through whose efforts a number of Baptist churches were founded in middle Georgia.
In a reference to the privations of the times Gunn recalled that he had an optimistic outlook on life from the earliest days of his youth. He explained, “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth; there had been a silver spoon laid up for me, but a man by the name of Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
came marching through Georgia and he created quite a commotion in the midst of which that spoon got misplaced, so I had to make out with a pewter
Pewter
Pewter is a malleable metal alloy, traditionally 85–99% tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and lead. Copper and antimony act as hardeners while lead is common in the lower grades of pewter, which have a bluish tint. It has a low melting point, around 170–230 °C ,...
spoon.” He said further, “In the course of my life I’ve had some dark days—very dark days—but never a day dark enough to put out the light of hope. Through the years I have suffered many disappointments; I have seen time and again some dream, some cherished plan, crumble into dust. But thanks unto God, I have a faith which has kept me continually looking for a brighter tomorrow. My optimism
Optimism
The Oxford English Dictionary defines optimism as having "hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a favourable or hopeful view." The word is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning "best." Being optimistic, in the typical sense...
dates back to the home of my childhood. I caught it from my mother at whose knee I was taught to pray.”
“Left a widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
with four little boys at the time of the terrible aftermath of the Civil War when the days were dark and there was scarcely a ray of light anywhere on the horizon, when the little family had been moved out of that antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
mansion into a little two-room cabin there at the humble fireside, she set up a family altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
of prayer. Night after night she gathered her little brood around her, read a chapter from the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, and knelt with them and lifted her heart to God in prayer.”
Following the death of her husband and one son, Mary moved her young family to Jewell, Georgia
Jewell, Georgia
Jewell is an unincorporated community in Warren County, Georgia, United States. It lies along State Route 16 to the southwest of the city of Warrenton, the county seat of Warren County. Its elevation is 420 feet...
, where she conducted a millinery and sewing business, and where the boys went to school part of the time and worked part of the time in the cotton factory. Very early in life Jack, as he was known, had said he wanted to be a preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
, and at the age of ten he joined with the Baptist church in Jewell, Georgia, a church founded by his grandfather, Reverend Thomas J. Veazey. This map shows the general geographical vicinity of Gunn’s youth in middle Georgia. http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/histcountymaps/hancock1865map.htm
During these years young Gunn attracted the attention of Col. W. L. L. Bowen, one of the owners of the cotton factory and a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in the Jewell church. He had observed Gunn taking an active part in the work of the church, especially in the prayer meetings. Sometimes he would take a text and preach a sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
. Soon Col. Bowen made an appearance where Gunn worked, observed him a long while, and then approached him and said, “Jack, I want to have a talk with you; tomorrow afternoon I will come for you in my buggy and I want you to take a ride with me.” Somehow Gunn sensed that this was to be meaningful insofar as his life-dream was concerned. Although Col. Bowen was not aware of Gunn’s desire to be a preacher, he told him that was what he wanted to talk to him about and that he had felt impressed of the Lord to do it. When he discovered Gunn’s deep interest in the ministry, he was convinced that the Lord was leading and the die was cast. Col. Bowen talked about attending high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
and introduced Gunn to Baptist leaders in the area.
According to the historical records of the Jewell Baptist Church, Gunn was licensed to preach at the age of 14. About that time he attended high school in Hephzibah, Georgia
Hephzibah, Georgia
Hephzibah is a city in south Richmond County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Augusta – Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,880 at the 2000 census....
, graduating in the spring of 1897. From there he enrolled in Mercer University
Mercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
(Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
) where he was a champion debator. During his high school and college years he frequently preached supplying pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
s and assisting pastors with revival meeting
Revival meeting
A revival meeting is a series of Christian religious services held in order to inspire active members of a church body, to raise funds and to gain new converts...
s. Jack was educated at Mercer University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , located in Louisville, Kentucky, is the oldest of the six seminaries affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention . The seminary was founded in 1859, at Greenville, South Carolina. After being closed during the Civil War, it moved in 1877 to Louisville...
(Louisville, Tennessee
Louisville, Tennessee
Louisville is a town in Blount County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 2,001 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Louisville is located at...
). During his last year at Mercer he served as pastor of Balerma Baptist Church near Sparta, Georgia
Sparta, Georgia
Sparta is a country town in Hancock County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,265 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Hancock County...
. A few years later while at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1903–1905) he served Highland Park Church in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. At SBTS he studied under theologians Archibald Thomas Robertson
Archibald Thomas Robertson
Archibald Thomas Robertson was an American biblical scholar born at Cherbury near Chatham, Va. He was educated at Wake Forest College and at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. , where he was thereafter instructor and professor of New Testament interpretation...
, John Richard Sampey, Edgar Young Mullins
Edgar Young Mullins
Edgar Young Mullins was a Baptist minister and educator, who from 1899 until his death was the fourth president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention.-Biography:Mullins entered Texas A&M College at 16, and after graduation studied...
and William Joseph McGlothlin, the last three of whom became presidents of SBTS.
Career
Following graduationGraduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
from Mercer in the Spring of 1900, Central Baptist Church of Atlanta extended a call to young Gunn and this is where he found his beloved wife and life companion, Nellie Higgins. After two years, the Dahlonega Baptist Church (Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega is a city in Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242....
) invited him to serve. This assignment was interrupted when an urgent request came from Dr. C. H. S. Jackson, President of Bessie Tift College (Forsyth, Georgia
Forsyth, Georgia
Forsyth is a city in Monroe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,776 at the 2000 census. This number was corrected to read 4,300. The city is the county seat of Monroe County.Forsyth is part of the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
) to raise an endowment fund. Enrolling in the seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
at Louisville was next, after which the Georgia Industrial Home in Macon beckoned Gunn to become their General Manager. During his service at GIH he built an administrative building called Mumford Hall. His next assignment was the First Baptist Church of Madison, Georgia, where he served five years.
Bessie Tift College again appealed for his help to raise money and a trip to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
was arranged. While in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
he was invited to preach at North Baptist Church, a church supported by John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller was an American oil industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of...
. North Baptist promptly invited Reverend Gunn to be their pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, and he served for two years. During this period this church was said to have attracted the largest congregation of any church in the downtown part of the city. According to the 1923 biography
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
, he undertook a class of young men studying for the ministry, several of who became active ministers.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
was the next assignment and here he succeeded Dr. George A. Lofton http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/rbmscl/lofton/inv/, who had served Nashville’s Central Baptist Church for the preceding 27 years. Lofton, an author, had written a book entitled Character Sketches (1890) that inspired Gunn when he was younger.
In 1917 Gunn was invited to speak to a medical convention in Nashville, Tennessee and this led to an invitation to become the minister of the First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
, now known as the Fort Wayne Baptist Church. During his tenure the church became known for strong expository preaching and was one of the most popular churches in the city. A local attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and U.S. Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
David Hogg
David Hogg
David Hogg was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.Born near Crothersville, Indiana, Hogg attended the common schools....
said, “Within the memory of the present generation no pastor has ministered to the spiritual development of the people of Fort Wayne as has Reverend John R. Gunn. His sermons ever impart a vitalizing power and contain a wealth of life and inspiration. As an orator he is versatile and scholarly and stirs the heart as well as appeals to the intellect. His keen understanding, profound knowledge and virile eloquence have given him the foremost rank among Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
pastors.” Some years later, on March 21, 1928, to be exact, Congressman Hogg invited Reverend Gunn to join him at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
for the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
presentation to Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
by President Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
. Thereafter, in the afternoon, Congressman Hogg arranged for Reverend Gunn to fly with other members of congress in a demonstration flight with “Lindy.”
The following is an excerpt from the bulletin of the First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, written in 1952: "Dr. Gunn was our minister from 1917 to 1927. During that decade he wove his way into the heart and affection of throngs of people. Following his retirement from our church, he relinquished the active pastorate due to conditions of health." "During the many years following he has had one of the most remarkable of all ministries--the ministry of the printed page. He enters more homes, chats with more people every weekday in the year than any minister could ever hope to do. His daily sermons are masterpieces in literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and always convey pointed messages for high and noble living."
"His written work is read by people in all walks of life and of all religious persuasions. Of this good man, Malachi
Book of Malachi
Malachi is a book of the Hebrew Bible, the last of the twelve minor prophets and the final book of the Neviim...
2:6 and 7 gives us a true picture: ‘The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. . . he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts’." The Fort Wayne church gave Dr. Gunn the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus.
A remarkable editorial
Editorial
An opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
by Frank Roberts appeared in The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne following Dr. Gunn's death. "For more than 36 years, he daily brought inspiration and light to the readers of The Journal Gazette with his 'Short Sermon For Today,' a column unique in the history of American journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
.... he was a master of English prose
Prose
Prose is the most typical form of written language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure...
, a thorough scholar whose Bible was his chief delight and the source of his wisdom." http://www.facinglife.net/editorial.aspx
Gunn’s career of communicating God’s word in an ecumenical way didn’t even pause at his passing. His daily columns’ about forming ideals, facing up to life's challenges, building a strong faith, facing tragedy
Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. While most cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, tragedy refers to a specific tradition of drama that has played a unique and important role historically in the self-definition of...
, rendering wise judgment, enriching friendship
Friendship
Friendship is a form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum...
s, seeking forgiveness
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as 'to grant free pardon and to give up all...
, repairing a broken heart, loneliness, and just about every other condition in which the human spirit finds itself kept right on going. Countless readers of The Journal Gazette have expressed how much his practical advice meant to them. His column entitled "A Short Sermon for Today" demonstrated Dr. Gunn's unique talent to interpret Christian thought in a condensed fashion and in a way that attracted people of different faiths. Little did Gunn know that the audience for his writing would be expanded through so many different media! First The Journal Gazette continued to reprint his columns daily for 15 years beyond his passing; then over 2,000 radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s carried his messages daily for 10 years; today his work is available on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
Gunn’s early years were devoted to denominational enterprises such as the Baptist college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
s, a Baptist orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
, Baptist missions and of course Baptist churches. In later years as a newspaper columnist and author, his interest took on an interfaith aura that brought the Christian faith to his readers in the public arena. More biographical information can be found in Volume 3, Baptist Biography published in 1923 by Index Printing Company, the source of part of this document.
Marriage and family
John R. Gunn and Nellie Pearl Higgins of Cohutta, GeorgiaCohutta, Georgia
Cohutta is a town in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 582 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cohutta is located at ....
were united in marriage June 26, 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia. The marriage was solemnized by Reverend R. E. L. Harris, who was pastor of the Jewell Baptist Church where Gunn was licensed to preach eleven years earlier. Six children blessed this union, the first having died in infancy
Infant mortality
Infant mortality is defined as the number of infant deaths per 1000 live births. Traditionally, the most common cause worldwide was dehydration from diarrhea. However, the spreading information about Oral Re-hydration Solution to mothers around the world has decreased the rate of children dying...
. Nellie shared a deep faith and commitment with her husband. This couple was devoted to each other and to their children and grandchildren. Nell Gunn was also a writer contributing many articles to the Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the only major daily newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and its suburbs. The AJC, as it is called, is the flagship publication of Cox Enterprises. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the result of the merger between The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta...
on a variety of topics including history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and bird photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. Toward the end of life Gunn said, “My great desire is to demonstrate that God goes with us even down to old age; that his grace is always sufficient for those who trust Him, sufficient to sustain us in old age.” Although born in 1875 and older, Nell survived her husband but died in 1967. They are buried in Westview Cemetery.
Books by John R. Gunn
- At Jesus’ Feet (1908)
- One Hundred Three-Minute Sermons (1927)
- One Hundred More Three-Minute Sermons (1929)
- A Lamp Unto My Feet (1932)
- Snapshots From the Gospels (1933)
- Facing Life (1948)
- The Battle of Christendom (1948)
- Bulwark Never Failing (1955)
- Good Morning Lord—The Hope of Glory (1977)
Quotations
A few fitting and poignant excerpts taken from an unpublished manuscript entitled, Business of Living:“Faith in God subdues the stings of the past, the worries of the present, and the fears of the future.”
“No man (or woman) has learned how to live until he knows how to distribute himself, where to place the emphasis and where not to place it.”
“The character of a good person is the most illuminating light shining in this world. Genius and brilliance are admirable qualities, but too often brilliance is no more than a display of pointless wit or clever cynicism. It might be clever to face life with a cynical sneer, but it is never elevating. We tend to keep the spotlight turned on mere brilliance and cleverness. But, we should, with advantage, focus on the supreme value of genuine goodness as it shines through the character of the good person.”
“The memories we create are connected with our names. What sort of memories will your name stand for when you are gone? It depends on the kind of life you’ve lived. The memory of the just is blessed (Proverbs 10:7). Be kind, just, and good, and when you depart this world you still leave a name fragrant with blessed memories, which will be a heavenly benediction in all the circles in which you have lived.”
Internet
The Internet site of Day1 http://day1.org/ features a large collection of Gunn’s original messages in written form and in audio as produced for a nationwide series for the Presbyterian Church U.S. The series is entitled, “Be Still and Know” and was carried nationally over 2,000 radio stations.The web site offers in convenient form some of the thousands of messages originally published in newspapers, books, and over the radio. Reverend Gunn said, "throughout these thirty-six years I have sought through my daily writings to point out God's answer to human needs as revealed in the Bible.... It is my hope and prayer that He whom they seek to honor will use them in a wide sphere."
Fellowship Program
In 2002 a Fund for Theological EducationFund for Theological Education
The Fund for Theological Education is a nonprofit, ecumenical resource for fellowships and programs supporting future pastors, volunteers, and theological scholars in North America...
Fellowship http://www.fteleaders.org/ was named for Reverend and Mrs. John R. Gunn. Family members and friends pledged an ongoing gift to the Fund in support of its Ministry Fellows Program. The gift will be used to provide one fellowship annually for talented and qualified candidates who demonstrate a desire to become a minister of the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
of Jesus Christ and whose aim is expository preaching.