The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-18
The Late C. p. Gadsden.

The Late C. p. Gadsden.
We copy, from the Southern Presbyterian
the following tribute to the memory OF tne
Rev. C. P. Gads6eu. 1t is written by cler-
gyman who has recently taken charse Oh
one OF the city churches, and whose own
Intellectual endowments give great "elsns
to his testimony. The tribute is partlcu-
larly gratifying and appropriate, as the de-
liberate Judgment OF one who did not enjoy
personal acquaintance with Mr.. Gadsden'
but who estimates his intellect and ardent
piely by the evidences contained in the me-
mortal volume recently published:
In MEMoR1AM Tributes to The Memory of the
Rev. C. P. Gadsden, late Rector OF st. Lukes
Church, Charleston, 8. G. To which are
added thirteen OF his sermons. SomprEsu 1 leu
by Rev. J. q. Elliott. Charleston, ). o.: Fo-
garlie's Book Depository No. 26o King
street. 1872.
This simple but appropriate memorial oi
highly gifted and eminently pious and deVoIea
servant OF Christ, richly deserves, ana Will
doubtless obtain, an extensive circulation. IL
will be read with tender interest and spiritual
profit by Christians of every name. Although
minister of the Episcopal Church, which he
loved with a Hlial affection and served as
loyal son, yet he vas chiefly and prominently
known, and will be remembered, as minister
of Jesus Christ, whose large and generous
soul, expanded and filed with an ardent and
absorbing love to our common LORD ana Sa-
yiour, oyerfowed all denomlnatonal lines,
and found a free and unobstructed channel 10
every Christian communion and every Chris
tlan heart.
In contemplating such character and life,
we simply feel that 1t is Ohrist'tike. The
lovely image of Jesus shines In all hls words
and actions. Such examples teach us the glo-
rious possibilities Of Christian attainment IN
this troubled life, and encourage US to strug-
gle on in our feeble efforts to reach forth
"unto the measure Of the stature Of the full
/" ness of Christ" His career ls particularly
interesting to us, as Illustrating that catholic
type of Christianity which clasps hands and
Ioins In cordial fellowship with Christs peo-
ple, In all the essentials of faith aud practice,
without violating the order and discipline Of
that branch Of the Christian Church to which
one belongs.
The book is composed of tributes from breth-
rem of his own denomination from brethren
of other denominations; fuperal ceremonies;
and thirteen sermons.
The sermons are models Of simple, earnest,
faithful gospel preaching. They are thorough
ly Calvinislic In theology. A careful perussl
OF these richly evangelical dlscourses will fur
nish the key to his Christian character and
life. They imply a deep experimental &C.
quaintance with the preciou5ness and power
Of the doctrines of the cross. The blood OF
atonement throbbed In every vein OF his re-
lglous experience, and this was the source of
his healthy and robust piety.
Royalty endowed as he was with intellectual
gifts, with keen logical acumen, with bril-
liant imagination, with poetic sensibillty, "he
" determined TO know nothing but Jesus
I" Christ and Him cruclaed," scornlng that
excellency OF speech, and entlciag words Of
" mans wisdem." which attracts popular ap-
plause and gratiaes personal ambition. We
quote the following paragraph from bis sermon
on " Christ receiving sinners :"
my dear fellow.sinners, 1 do not stand
=" here to unfold to you philosophy. 1t Is no
Z" part of my message TO acquaint you with
" science, or Instruct In earthly wisdom. 1t is
- not morals alone that am ordered to en-
I" force and expound. I have no word to utter
" of politics and worldly rule; learning and
" eloquence, even If they should be possessed
." by the preacher, must be altogether anb.
4" sidlary; everything must give way before
the one great duty of an ambassador Of
+" Christ, which is TO point you to Him, and
+" to as sure you that He is able 10 save unto
".the uttermost all who come unto God by
"s Him. II you ere sinner, and know 1t, l
Z" have message for your soul, This man
{" receiveth sinners.'n
These rich and fragrant memorials OF q
faithful yet popular pastor, prove to us that
doctrinal preaching Is not necessarily dry and
uusttractive. He has shown US how minis
ter may I'LL the channels of discussion with the
warm and rushing Tide OF experimental piety.
The stream follows g logical course, through
the fresh green fields of a natural rhetoric,
and you are not disturbed by the grating
sound OF the workmen's tools on the one
hand, nor diverted by artificial landscapes on
the other. You hear only the rippling of the
waters, and are willing 1orne away in the
rapid current. We bespeak for this memorial
q wide. delighted and profitable perusal.