The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-03
A Pastors Tribute to Squire James
McC0sIan.

At the funeral of Squire James McCaslan
last week, among other things DR.. Lindsay
said:
"Somc people, most people. that minister
has to speak Of at funeral have nothing in
their characters or their lives to call for spe-
cial remark, nothing to awaken interest
away from the circle of their immediate rela-
tlves and friends But tho deceased in this
case was not AN ordinary person, he had feat
urcs of character that were not common and
led n life that was not uneventful.
"Hc was largely endowed with that COM
mon sonse which is y rare gift and of more
worth than learning or scholarship. Intelll-
gent and we'll informed OF current events
with memory retentive and accurate, his
conversation was interesting and Instructive
He was ever the wise counsellor: no one ever
went astray who followed his advice. which
was always judicious and good. He was emi-
nently prudent man; he knew how to gov
erning himself His influence, for peace and
order, was felt In the community and over oil
classes Of people. He had special aptitude for
all business to which he directed his attention
and was successful in his plans and manage
ment. AS q public officer for many years he
had to deal with most delicate questions and
with people most difficult to manage but his
clusions that commanded the respect of ali
good people A man of large and liberal
views, his influence was felt far beyond the
limits OF his own family. The venerable pa
grandchildren, respected by his neighbors,
long and sorely felt.
But have to speak Of him in another and
q far higher character: he was Gods noblest
workmanship, q righteous man, he was emf.
nently Christian. For reasons that seemed
satisfactory to himself he did not make o
public profession OF religion till late in life
but for many years he gave clear evidence OF
Christian character, was deeply Interested In
the church's welfare and contributed eenor-
ously and eheerfully to its support He gave
many infallible proofs" of n true Christian
experience In his last illness that are very
gratifying to his friends, some of which may
be here presented to the praise OF Gods rich
grace. Some two or three weeks ago he called
never expected to get well but that he would
soon be taken from them. He expressed to
his children his qualification at their kind
care of him and told the servants that he was
going to die but that he would leave them in
the same kind bands that had cared for him.
He said he WAS willing to die and felt fully
prepared, for he put his trust In Jesus Christ
his Saviour. After that interview with his
ters from his mind and direct his attention
exclusively to the other world. He was very
anxious to see his pastor to whom he was de-
yotedly attached and when he learned that
had been sent for he frequently spoke Of the
matter and expressed the desire that might
soon arrive. When came and talked to him
and repeated several passages OF scripture
suitable to ms MS condition and prayed with him
ed II he heard distinctly, he replied, ooh, yes,
heard 1t all and appreciated II too" To an
other question he answered, "my trust is in
Christ. he Is able to save unto the uttermost."
Once when rousing up from O slumbering
state he said. 81 have seen my Saviour" That
Is a common experience Of Gods people when
dying. 1t may be that 1t is the fulfillment Of
the promise II Will come again and receive
you unto myself, &c. After this he remained
In a semi-conscious state for hours and even
days and gradually, slowly, gently, painlessly
became dead to earth and sense and entered
upon the realities of the "world to come" the
joys Of the heavenly home.
While his taking away Is loss, aged as he
was, to his family, to the community, and to
the church, nothing is more certain than that
our loss is his gain andwe sorrow not as those
who have no hope. What is there in such
death to mourn for? When another soul en-
ters upon the splendors and glories Of the
heavenly state; when grace achieves Its tri-
umph over sin In another redeemed soul and
fed Saviour receives another jewel for his
crown; and when the celestial throng Is in
creased by the presence of another of the
''chosen and faithful what is there to sorrow
for? What is there but abundant cause for
The Psalmist said. "Mark tho perfect man
and behold the upright, for the end of that
man Is peace" Never was this scripture
more calmness and composure in the hour OF
dissolution. We turn instructive to the
hymn, "How blest the righteous when he
dies"
To all this would add one more remark:
esquire McCaslan was not only moral and
Christian man, but he was conspicuously
decent, clean man. He never drank Whlskey,
he never chewed or smoked tobacco, he never
defrauded another, he was never even accused
Of dishonest act, he never had personal
difficulty with q neighbor, he never swore
profane oath, he never circulated SANDER
Gus report. The world would be better off II
it had many, many more such men,"