The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-06-29
DEATH OF DR.. J. L.
GIRARDEA[J.
A Distinguished Presbyterian
Preacher and One Well Be-
loved Throughout South
Carolina

CarOl1na
Columbia, June 23.-The Rev
John L. Girardeau, . D IL D one
of the most distinguished preachers
Of the South. perhaps one of the most
eloquent pulpit orators and thinkers
of the country, died in this city to
night. BE passed away at 10 Is this
evening. having been in failing health
for some years and quite i'll for two
weeks. The funeral services will
take place at o'clock TO morrow af
ternoon at the Second Presbyterian
Church
DR.. John L Girardeau vas born on
James Island. St Andrews Parish,
Charleston County, s. G., November
Ia. 1925. and received his early edu-
cation at the College of Charleston,
graduating with the first honor in
1874. at l8 years of age Subse-
quently be attended the Presbyterian
Theological Seminary at Columbia,
.. c and finished the course at that
institution in 1913 He soon after
ward otered upon the profession for
ae had been preparing him.
ae.. preaching frat in Christ Church
Parish at Wappetaw, s. c. He was
stationed there but short time, how
ever. and was next loca- Il at Wilton
Church, in st. Paul's Parish, Collector
County Here he was ordained and
installed pastor in 1850 After three
years. labor in this field he moved to
Charleston, where be performed mis-
sioaary work among the negroes He
continued in this work from 1854
to the beginning Of the war be-
tween the States, when he be-
came chaplain of the 23d regiment
of South Carolina volunteers He
remained chsplain of this regiment
until be was captured a, Sailors
Creek, Va, on April 9th. 1895 He
was held q prisoner on Johnston
Island for about three months After
mis- release he returned to Charleston
and became pastor Of the Zion Pres
byteriap Church on Glebe street
He remained in this charge until
1876, when be was elected to fill the
chair of systematic theology in &C.
lumbia Seminary During the trou
bles through which this institution
passed by reason of. the evolution
controversy he resigned his profess
sorship, and in 1856 became pastor
of the Second Presbyterian Church
in Columbia, this church having just
been organized He remained in
this work one year. and upon being
again called to the professorship
which he had vacated he returned to
the Seminary, where he remained
until 1895, when. on account Of the
seventy year age rule in that institu-
ton, he resigned, and as his health
was at this time failing. he ceased
from active labor Oglethorpe Col
lege, of Georgia, conferred upon him
tie degree of D D. in 1865, and sub
the Southwestern Presby
.erian University conferred upon
him the degre of IL ID His father
was John Bohun Girardeau, plant
er in the low country His mother
was Claudia, a daughter Of Ed
ward Freer, of Charleston Coun.
ty D,. Girardesu's grandfather
was John Girardeau. born In Liberty
County, Ga, in 1856, but in early |
ma ahood moved to South Carolina.
The father Of John Girsrdeau was |
Isaac Girardeau, native. born Ameri.
can, bu. of French descent. his
ancestor. Pierre Girardeau, being .
resident of Talmons, Province of
Poitou, France. John. son of the
last named, was among the Hugue
nots who fed from France upon the
revocation Of the Edict of Mates in
1885.
Dr. Girardeau was married in l849
to daughter of Thomas Hamlin, a
planter in Christ Church Parish. His
wife. four sons and two daughters
are still living DR. Girardeau was
bard student and has written largely
on theology. philosophy aud miscei.
laneous subjects He has published
three works-..1 Instrumental Mue,c
in the Public Worship Of the Church.
'.Calviulsm and Evangelical Armin
and The VIII in it's Theo-
logical Relations