The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-01
From the South Western Presbyterian.
Uncle Jim Lindsay.

Mr.. Editor week while on preach
ing tour in a neighboring parish, was in
formed by one of our church members, that
an old freedman was lying at "the door OF
death, " near by the road which was to pass,
and it would be well for me to call and see
him. | at once resolved to do SO, especially
as l was informed that "Uncle Jim Lindsay,
as he is Familiarity called, was formerly
member of the Rocky Mount church "in
good and regular standing" but since "free-
dom" came had removed to another parish,
and set up for himself.
As 1 subsequently learned from himself,
he had his left leg amputated about fort
night before l called On him, and gangrene
had supervened. Some strange affection OF
the toes and foot determined the three ply
sicians, called in to consult, to amputate, IN
order to save his life But the result was
disastrous; for they had already informed
the poor old man, that they could do no
s,a.c. for hlm--ae mysss---ssiic. stEis sad
5adition | found LIN. l interrogated him
freely concerning his reliance upon Christ,
and his atoning blood for justification before
God, and for pardoning mercy. His answers
were most satisfactory. Ia fact, believe l
never knew colored person seem to be
better acquainted with the plan of salvation
as revealed in the Bible, and give more
satisfactory account of his acceptance and
personal reliance, through the Spirit of all
grace After pause, while evidently in
great bodily pain, and mental agony, he
asked me to pray for him. Calling in nu-
merous household l read the 10th Psalm,
and led in prayer. He then conversed freely
about his approaching death, said he had
arranged his worldly affairs to his satisfac'
tion; and had no fears of death, if it were
Gods will to take him away. He had pur-
chased little house and farm, had paid for
it, accumulated considerable property in
the way of mules, wagon, stock, and was
successful in farming, dealing uprighty with
his neighbors, and having no "entangling
alliances with creditors" Before bidding
the old pilgrim good bye, | asked if he would
not like to celebrate once more the Lords
Supper9 After pausipg moment, with
sweet smile, he replied he most certainly
would. He is nearly eighty years old, and
informed me that he had been in the fellow
ship of Christ's people in the Presbyterian
church for over thirty. five years! Often had
he enjoyed the communion, but of late years
he had enjoyed the privilege but seldom
After telling him what he already seemed to
know that there could be no dying grace
impaired in this sacrament of the Supper, l
consented to return the next week, and ad-
minister this holy sacrament to this suffer-
ing. traztiuS, though dying saint. Having
procured enough bread and wine from a
good elder in Claiborne parish, in company
with my young son, who had but lately
united himself to Gods people by an open,
public profession, called, and still found
Uncle Jim lingering On the shores of time,
but evidently near Jordan's brink. He had
invited quite congregation of his colored
neighbors to be present, and then under
these solemn circumstances | read the account
given by Paul in l Cor 11th chapter, of the
institution of the Supper, sang hymn, ex-
planned the nature of ordinance, and then
gave the emblems to him, and the few pro.
tessors present with him l then exhorted
them all to so follow Christ in the regenera-
ton that all might be prepared for death,
judgment and joyful eternity.
Brother Smitb-though have been preach.
ing Christ for forty years, never felt SO
profoundly impressed with the Importance of
having ga good hope, through grace" as in
the case of this poor colored man, James
Lindsay! Does not the angel Of the Lord
encamp round about him that feareth him,
and delivereth him." Surely
And now, my brother, should we not be
careful to hunt out the poor of Gods people,
and so break to them the Bread of Life, that
we may give account of our stewardship with
Joy. The promised reward is made sure by
Him who makes the promise. "Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these my brethren ye have done it unto me-"
And, as that now emancipated spirit leaves
the frail, decrepit body, and scars to heaven,
may there not be just as pure and unalloyed
pleasures in the heavenly mansion for this
poor negro, as for Lazarus who lay in Abra-
hams bosom; or for any of Gods redeemed
children saved by blood divine? PILGRIM.