Justin King: Jamaican Colporteur Extraordinaire
By Mel Lyon as told by Justin King’s son Don King

Justin Saysi King was born February 6, 1908, just seven years before the passing of his favorite author, Ellen G. White. He was born to Richard and Mary King in the cool climes of Coopers Hill, on the island of Jamaica, West Indies. When Justin was a teenager, a literature evangelist visited his family’s farm. As the colporteur spoke to Justin’s father of the life-changing stories about Jesus and the hope that He brings to lost humanity, young Justin listened intently from the next room. His heart thrilled to the canvasser’s words, and he became the first member of his family to embrace the Seventh-day Adventist message. Justin decided to follow the profession of the man who sold his father those wonderful books. In 1930 he too became a colporteur. Justin recalled an experience early in his literature ministry. He was canvassing a fisherman on a wharf. The man was inattentive and uncooperative. About halfway into his canvass, Justin realized that the man was intoxicated. Justin pressed on with his canvass anyway. Suddenly, right before his eyes, the man slipped, fell off the wharf, and

Justin Saysi King (right), 99, stands with his son, Donald G. King, president of the Atlantic Union, U.S.A. Justin holds his Centennial Award for Faithful Service from the West Indies Union.

 disappeared. Startled, Justin peered down at the man thrashing in the shallow waters below. The quick plunge into the cool water jolted the man back to reality. He clambered back onto the wharf, where Justin lost no time in resuming his canvass. With unabated enthusiasm he worked to make the sale, and his recently awakened prospect bought the book! According to Justin, “the Lord just had to ‘baptize’ that man to wake him up enough to buy that truth-filled book!” Justin’s sense of commitment and spiritual destiny was accented by a great sense of humor.

Between 1930 and 1946 Justin was not only a well-known LE in Jamaica, but he also became proficient at memorizing extensive texts of Scripture. Justin’s son, Donald George King, the current president of the Atlantic Union in the U.S.A., says: “My dad was also known for his avid reading and committing to memory passages of the Spirit of Prophecy writings. Every time he got up to speak, he would quote several passages from Ellen White’s inspired writings. He even earned the honored nickname Mr. Spirit of Prophecy.”

In 1944 Justin married Winnie F. Shakes, from Springfield, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. To them was born a daughter, Gloris Philicita, and then their son, Donald George, was born, completing their family of four. Justin and Winnie chose their son’s name to honor the memory of George King, the first Seventh-day Adventist LE.

The Kings served in various places. They worked in the Bahamas; in Brooklyn, New York; and again in Jamaica, their homeland. Justin worked in cities and in the countryside. He canvassed in homes, offices, restaurants, hotels, and sugar plants. He traveled on foot, by public transportation, bicycle, motorcycle, and car. He led the field in sales throughout almost every year of his canvassing service. He also served as a conference associate publishing director. Not once did he ever feel discouraged, because, in his own words, “I set my heart to deal with whatever the hardship might be.”

Justin’s favorite song was “Face to Face With Christ, My Savior.” His favorite text, Daniel 12:1, ends with the words “thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (KJV). Justin’s life of service extended 20 years beyond his official retirement—a total of 60 years.

Mel Lyon, Editor
Literature Evangelist Magazine



 


 

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