James Paine
James Paine [1]
a Presbyterian minister, was born near Londonderry, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1801. He received that early training in spiritual things for which the Presbyterians of the mother country are proverbial. During the year 1820 his parents emigrated to the United States, and became members of Dr. Baxter's congregation in Lexington, Va., where he professed religion, and soon after turned his thoughts to the ministry. He graduated with honor at Washington College, Lexington, Va.; studied theology in the seminary at Princeton, N. J.; was licensed by Lexington Presbytery in 1829, ordained in 1830, and labored as a missionary for several years at Warm Springs and New Monmouth churches, Va. He afterwards took charge of Fairfield and Timber Ridge Churches, Va. It was here that the best years of his life were spent; ever ready to preach, he went in and out before his people, leading them like a true shepherd for twenty-three years. From thence he was called to the Church at Somerville, Tenn., where he continued to labor until his death, April 7, 1860. Mr. Paine, though not an author, often wrote for the press. His preaching was clear and expository; his style free from all affectation or vagueness; his all-conquering desire was a single burning zeal to glorify God in the salvation of souls. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1861, p. 104. (J. L. S.)
