The Preacher Who Could Make an Entire Crowd Weep

Rev. James M. Webb of Rutherford County was the first pastor of the First Baptist Church in Shelby and helped organize that church. He was born in 1802 and died in 1854, and was the grandfather of Judge James L. Webb and Judge Edwin Yates Webb. Webb was described as six feet tall, slender, with large black eyes, long black straight hair, and the mouth of an orator.

At the Broad River Association meeting in 1847 at Zion Church in Cleveland County, Webb preached a memorial sermon for Rev. Drury Dobbins, known as the “father of the Baptist church in Rutherford and Cleveland Counties.” His text was 2 Kings 2:12: “My Father, My Father, the chariot of Israel and the horseman thereof.”

According to John R. Logan, Webb began with a blend of historical and scriptural material, then built his message with such pathos and clarity that the congregation was deeply moved. At the height of the sermon, Webb turned from the bookboard, raised his hands and eyes, and cried out:
“Oh, Dobbins, dost thy sainted spirit this day witness our feeble efforts to honor thy sacred memory?”
For thirty minutes, Logan said, Webb held the audience completely under his control, “no man assisting him.”

Soon afterward, two men who were not members of the Christian faith were discussing revival preaching. One said to the other, “I think I saw you crying.” The reply was: “Yes—but that man, Webb, could make the devil cry.”

Source: Mamie Jones.