At the turn of the last century, the gospel in
the upper Ohio Valley was carried forward by a generation that
sacrificed mightily for the kingdom of God. Insights from the
lives of these individuals should inspire each of us to do more
for the cause of Christ. One of those inspirational men was G.
W. Varner of Pleasants County, West Virginia.
George W. Varner was born March 7, 1839, in Monongalia
County, West Virginia. His youthful days were spent in West Virginia
until his parents moved to Belmont County, Ohio, when he was grown.
In Ohio he met and married Angelia V. Daniel on March 27, 1867.
Afterward, Varner and his new bride moved to Pleasants County,
West Virginia, which was his home for the rest of his life. To
the union of George and Angelia seven children were born. (Martin,
4)
Varner was one who embodied the wise admonition,
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth"
(Ecclesiastes 12:1). At the age of 14 he became an avid student
of the Bible, especially the New Testament. This was an especially
important achievement, since Varner had very little formal schooling.
Despite this lack of education, Varner had been blessed with a
logical, inquiring mind. This would serve him well in his later
years of preaching and debating. Varner obeyed the gospel as a
young man and was baptized by Solomon Devore. (Clovis, 6).
Varner began preaching at the age of 45. Most
of his preaching was done in his native West Virginia, in nearby
Pennsylvania, and in Ohio. Varner supported himself by working
manual labor jobs during the day and preaching the gospel at night.
Through this method he was able to "build up the cause in
destitute places." (Martin, 4).
Varner was self-taught in the Scriptures. He would
spend his resting moments from his manual labors to read and study
his Bible. "Years ago when he was physically well and strong
he would haul sawlogs all day, often in rain and slush, and go
home at night, sit in front of the fire, and while his clothes
were drying, he would be studying the Word of God. Often his sturdy
hand held the plow handle all day. When he would stop to rest
his team, he would be reading his Bible while the team rested."
(Martin, 4). His knowledge of the Bible was so thorough that seldom
was a concordance needed when he was present at the assemblies
of the church.
In the time period in which Varner preached, gospel
preachers were often challenged to debates during their preaching.
Varner did not back down from these challenges. His knowledge
of the Bible, gained from hours of study, and his logical mind
trained to think allowed him to be "set for the defense of
the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). He was able to so completely expose
the fallacies of his opponents that John F. Rowe called him "The
little Napoleon of the Valley." (Directory, 72).
Varner lived a long life, and his "golden
years" were crowned with peace and honor. After the death
of his wife, he resided with his daughter, Mrs. Mary Clovis, whose
husband was one of the elders of the Dewey Ave. congregation in
St. Marys, West Virginia. Little children, as well as grownups,
lovingly called him "Grandpa." (Martin, 4). He filled
in at St. Marys for T. Q. Martin when Martin was away in meetings.
Varner's last sermon was preached at St. Marys on his 82nd birthday,
and his subject was "Eternity, or the Home of the Soul."
(History, 72). He died on June 15, 1921. He was buried in the
Cloverdale cemetery. The meeting house was near his former home.
Varner's nephew, C. E. Fogle conducted the funeral service along
with T. Q. Martin.
Ira Moore, senior editor of the Christian Leader
paid this tribute to Varner: "I had known him for thirty-six
years, and in that time heard him preach many times and always
with profit. He was not educated in the schools, but learned by
reading, hearing and observation until both his oral and written
speech were almost without defects, grammatical or orthographical.
His Bible was his constant companion, study and thought. He was
a great fireside instructor as well as an effective teacher in
the pulpit, and an agreeable friend to all." (Moore, 4).
Articles Cited: W. E. Clovis, "Sketch of
Bro. G. W. Varner," Christian Leader 2-5-1918: 6;
1931 Directory of the St. Marys, WV Congregation; T. Q. Martin,
"Grandpa," Christian Leader 7-5-1921: 4; Ira
C. Moore, "Editorial Views and Reviews," Christian
Leader 7-26-1921: 4.