A Faithful Elder Called Home

On the morning of Sept. 8 (1930) the community was shocked to hear of the death of Eld. John H. Garber of New Market, Va. On the preceding day he was present at the regular church service at the Cedar Grove church, and after the service he talked freely with the writer in regard to a family reunion to be held a week later and some miles distant. In the afternoon of the same day he attended an outing of the Sunday-school at Endless Caverns, and seemed to possess his usual health and cheerful disposition. Before next morning, however, his heart, which had been weakening for some time, ceased to act, and his faithful service in the Flat Rock congregation was ended.

Bro. Garber was the son of the late Abram Garber and Annie Miller Garber, and was born Aug. 6, 1856. On March 27, 1879, he was married to Martha Jane Andes. To them was born one daughter, Mrs. Ida Wampler. He became a member of the Church of the Brethren in early life, and was elected to the ministry Aug. 1, 1896. On Nov. 12, 1921, he was advanced to the eldership. He filled many positions of trust and responsibility in the church and community. Thirty-two years ago he succeeded his father as clerk of the Flat Rock congregation, which position he held until the time of his death. For a number of years he served as the elder of the Trout Run Valley (West Va.) congregation, in which connection he did effective work, and his faithful labors were appreciated by the Trout Run people.

Bro. Garber was active in the work of the church. He was always willing to do his best, even though the case on which he as called to labor did not look very encouraging. He was well informed on matters of church government and in his quiet way was a valuable helper in congregational and District work. He was a man who preached, not only from the pulpit, but also in his daily life. People had confidence in his preaching because they saw that he lived out his religion in his everyday life. He had the highest respect of his neighbors and friends of all denominations. Hence he was called upon to fill various responsible positions in the business life of the county in which he lived.

The large crowd that assembled at his funeral demonstrated the esteem in which he was held in the community. Services were conducted at the Cedar Grove church on Sept. 10, 1930, by Elders J.T. Glick and C.E. Long. His remains were laid to rest in the Cedar Grove cemetery.

The following extract from resolutions passed by the directors of the New Market Bank after his death shows that Elder Garber had a good report from those without:

"His clear thinking and wise counseling were important factors in directing the operation of the institution so vitally interwoven with the commercial well-being of the people of this community. By his conservatism, his careful movements and unswerving attachment to the right, he added the strength that results in the security, satisfaction, and peace of mind sought by patrons of the bank. Such was John H. Garber – as we knew him – faithful in the discharge of his duty, genial in disposition, optimistic, courageously facing life and its problems; living in an unpretentious manner his high ideals of religion and morality, teaching and preaching by example as well as by precept, he wielded a powerful and lasting influence for good, and established a worthy record."

J. Carson Miller

Moores Store, Va.