Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-08
SERMON
BY Rev. James Lott, Pastor OF the Cen
trail Baptist Church (cOlOred), ON
the Occasion or the Funeral OF
Ex-JuStIce or the Peace.
James n. thompson.

the occasion OF the EnneEaA VI
Ex-JUStIce or the Peace,
james n. Thompson.
On the occasion of the funeral, Thursday, Of
the late Mr.. James Alexander Thompson
(colored), which took place at the colored
BAPTIST church, Rev. Mr.. Lott delivered a
sermon, of which the following is a synopsis:
Mr.. Lott took his text from Matthew, TWEEN
tieth chapter, and twenty-sIxth and twenty
seventh verses, and Revelations, twenty
second chapter, fourteenth verse, and after
some preliminary remarks, sail that James
Alexander Thompson was born In Gallipolis,
Ohio, on the twenty sscond OF May, 1926,
end was, at the time Of his death, fifty
three years of age. He was educated at
Oberlin college, where he completed his
studies. He was Immediately after elected
principal of the coored public schools of CO.
lumbus, Ohio. which position he filled very
credltably aud satisfactorily for number OF
years. About the year 1858 he married Miss
Sarah IL. Davis, VINO survives him. Four OF
the Eve children by their marriage, one son
aad three daughters, also survive. About ten
years ago the subject of our sketch came to
this city, bringing among other testimonials,
a strong recommendation from Governor
Hayes, OF Ohio, now President Of the United
States, with whom he was well acquainted,
aud VINO was his warm personal friend. Be-
ing a cooper by trade, he opened a shop In
that branch OF business, uDd also taught
night school and vocal music class, thus max
ing the most OF his time and talent for the
benefit of his family and the community. Be-
ing public spirited man, he soon became
well and favorably known throughout the
community, and subsequently as a Repubh-
can candidate for magistrate OF the four
teenth civil district of Shelby county, Tennes-
see, was elected to that office. After a con-
test In the courts of eighteen months duration,
having resisted every effort to Guy him out
he took possession Of his Office, and held it
with credit to himself and honor to
his race to the end of the
term for which he was elected.
He had, in the meantime, visited Washing
TON City, and through the interest and Ia
Huence of his friends, be secured a compare
lively lucrative position. But he chose
rather to suffer los in accepting the position
to which his constituents had called him than
to reap pecuniary benefit at the expense OF
their disappointment. With the history OF
his administration and his subsequent career,
we are all familiar. 1t Is, therefore, IN
necessary for me to enter into further de-
tails. Disease laid its hand upon him, and
alter a hard add protracted struggle, be
quietly sank to rest. We shall only add a
few brief IT Elections upon his life and charac-
ter. Mr.. thompson keenly regretted having
neglected 70 make q public profession oil
faith In the Lord Jesus Christ, as a duty, and
because Of the influence which he could have
exerted Tor the cause Of religion bad he takeT
this step. This regret he expressed TO ne II
my last interview with him, month cr nort
before his death, saying to me, at the same
time, that in the event of ais re
covery he should hasten 10 max,
RmendS, as far as possible, and pu
on the whole armor of christian service
He was possessed of a true catholic spirit
which would not be restricted 10y the bounds
OF any one sect in the exercise of its benevo
lent impulses. Wherever he thought he wa
most needed there he desired to labor Yet
while he was thus liberal Ia bis views, anC
impartial in the bestowal of his benefactIons
he was a sectarian in a proper sense, by
which mean that he had clear views upoI
the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel
He was n Baptist, and intended, IN the even
of MS recovery, to become full and activ,
member OF the Baptist church. We are thu
explicit. IN the statement OF this fact, tor tn
purpose OF removing the erroneous I'M presslol
under which many OF his friends aud &C
Quaintances seem to labor, namely, that he wa
uudenommatlonal In his views. From an in
innate acquaintance with him, | am abb
positively to state to the contrary. No ma
appreciated more keenly than he the beau
ties and exceleDcies of the gospel preached
in its purity. Not only did he admire, bu
he loved intellie ence. To his mind, tru
christianity and culture we're inseparRble
he could not conceive OF the true worship o
God as being properly expressed il
the disorderly form Of church service
so otten-too often, presented in on
churches. Hence he was an educator iron
principle. He iully realized that true intelh
gence must, as a rule, be implanted through
the instrumentai ty OF the trainer or teacher
and so earnest and determined was be IN thu
matter that il be could not successfully an
probably pursue his vocation OF teaching i
the lid OF his own choice, he would acceP
and labor in the most available Rsld that pre-
sented Itself. To work was with him a ne
cessity, and TO DO good, bOtn by precept an
example, an unavoidable duty. man c
exceptionally pure lite, lie was sincere an
ardent admlrer of purity in others, and viz
Iure found IN him knight ready and williD
at any time TO break a lance Ia her defense
Mr.. Thompson was, IN the true sense of tn
word, public spirited man. The genuine
ness of his principles, the sincerity Of hi
moral and logical convictions, made him
true politiclan-not an office seeker, exceT
in the sense of a seeker after an opportunit
to perform the good Offices of true reforme
or philanthropist. As husband and fathe
he was strict without cruelty or undue sever
ty; kind, without careless or criminal indul
Reuce; provident and thoughtful OF the need
Of his family, aud remarkably OF
derly IN his domestic and personal habit
His reverence for, and obedience to his moth
er was one of his shining virtues. He oGte
expressed his gratitude to bis mother for COZ
recting his faults and thus contributing
his success in life by the formation of whole
some principles and correct habits. AS
citizen, he was honest, fearless and ente
prisIng. He challenged anyone to point
any mean thing he had ever done. His ma
ural benevoience made him one of the mo
earnest and active members of the either
relief committee during the late epdemi
until sickness disabled him from active dut
During his protracted illness he displayed Il
most touching resignation to the will OF Co
be never complained or repined. In my la
interview with him | was struck with b
hearty, spontaneous expressions OF Thankful
ness to God for His mercles and blessing
His peaceful and triumphant death was
consonauce with his lite, and ali-wife an
children - friends and acquaintsnces -
faithful and honest as he has been, can 10
to meet him in the glorious dwelling. place
God, at once his home and cur home.