James George Deck (1802-1884)

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 11
Listen from:
Gathered to the Lord’s Name
Hymns #2, 7, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 48, 52, 63, 74, 85, 86, 106, 107, 109, 110, 123, 136, 146, 149, 151, 173, 187, 192, 193, 201, 205, 208, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 230, 234, 249, 278, 282, 318, 327 (44 hymns). (The last verse of #109 could possibly be by Mary Bowley—see #286)
J. G. Deck, the eldest son of John Deck, Esq. of Bury St. Edmunds, was born there November 1, 1802 (some say 1807) with a praying mother. He studied for the Army at Paris under one of Napoleon’s generals. In 1829 he was in the Army and stationed at Bangalore, India. Before that in 1826 he had been brought under conviction of sin by a sermon preached by a faithful Church of England clergyman. He got saved and returned to India to witness among his fellow officers that he was Christ’s. He returned to England on account of ill health, in 1835, with his wife and two children. He also was exercised as to a Christian’s being in military service. He said to his wife: “I have left the Army to become a clergyman, but now see that the Church of England is contrary to the Word of God. What shall we do?” Her answer was: “Whatever you believe to be the will of God, do it at any cost.” They followed the Word and were soon gathered to the Name of Christ alone, on the ground that the Church is one as formed by the Holy Spirit. He then gave his time to preaching Christ in the villages and the Lord supported him and his family in the work. Due to failing health in 1852 They moved to New Zealand, where he recovered, but his wife went home to be with Christ and was buried there. He labored for thirty more years in that area, until in 1882 he became a helpless invalid for two years. On August 14, 1884, he passed on to that scene of glory and into the Presence of which he wrote those precious words:
“God of love, our souls adore Thee!
We would still Thy grace proclaim,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee
And in glory praise Thy Name.
Praise and worship
Be to God and to the Lamb.”
(#2)