The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-08-07
JOHN OLIVER LINDSAY.
A Beau tifnl and Truthful Tribute to
His Virtues, by His Friend Dr. }.
Lowrie WiIsOn-Read al the Recent
Meetiup of the Bible Society,".

JOHN OLIVER LINDSAY, SOD OF Mr: James
Lindsay and Mary, prennon) bis wife, was
born December 23rd, 1873; 10 what was then
District, s. c. His parents were members OF
the Greenville Presbyterian Church, one Of
the oldest organizations in this part Of Caro-
lima. He was baptized by bis pastor, Father
Dickson" the date OF which baptism Is un-
known 10 the writer. Here also he wor-
shipped in boyhood until old enough 10 ride
on horseback 10 church. The "Nullihcation"
storm which, some years later, burst on South
Carolina, struck the Greenville church and
swept a goody number Of its members into
the A. r. P. Church OF Due West: OF these
seceders his parents were part. Ihe iather
tical alignment, and became an important
factor in the development OF the Town with
It's church and colleges.
From Ersklne College. where be sat at the
Gamaliel, young Lindsay was sent TO Frank
lin College, Athens, Ga, at the time under
the presidency of Rev. DR.. Waddell. Return
ing to Due West he was graduated IN IS2 Wild
and In 1915 was licensed as prooatioper for
the Gospel ministry. His earliest labors were
those OF a Domestic Missionary, under the
States @ OF Missouri, Alabama and Kentucky.
IN heath necessitated his return to South
Carolina where, after season, he accepted Ia.
Dor in New berry County. From thence he
went back to Due West; wherein connection
with his brother.in. law, Rev. DR.. Bonner. be
estabiisbed newspaper-"The Erskine Mis-.
cellany." The name of this periodical was
afterward changed to the Associate Refor med
came the organ of that body. Failure OF
health again required change OF locality;
and so for while he tried farm life In the
beautiful Piedmont country OF south caro-,
later, near BACHELORS Retreat" on the Tuga;,
loo river, where he bought place and
preached to a colony of AbbeviIle people.
His father died In 1854.
About this time he took charge OF the Fe,
male College at Anderson Q. H., and removed
to that place. While here his ecclesiastlcal
relations we're transferred TO the southern
Presbyterian Church. and he united with the
Presbytery of South Carolina, within whose
boundaries the remainder OF his ministry
was passed. Hopewell and Lodimont church.
Under vs de fi' his new relations. Wilmington was
the next-a community noted for its culture,
where Moses Wadell taught. and where Cal
houn, McDufie, Pettigrew, Burt and other
distinguished Carolinians, learned. Aner
we'll and Little Mountain were successively
under b is care and In one Of them-Lebanon
bis long and faithful ministry rounded TO
It's close.
During the war he was an ardent patriot.
and threw himself with all his energies OF
soul and body, and with all the enthusiasm
Of his nature, into the Confederate struggle;
In Richmond, in Atlanta, in the "bivouac,"
In the hospital, he devoted himself to the care
of our wounded. sick and needy soldiers.
After the tragedy OF Appomatox, IN which
our fair and beloved Confederacy-of precious
and imperishable memory-lost Its young
and and promising life. he returned with
heavy heart and agonized soul to bis desoat-
ed home. That home proved TO be sweet
soldier as he footed his dreary way TO reach
his kindred in their tar-of sunset land
Among the many who found shelter and
cheer In this wayside home were Mrs. Jeher-
son Davis, her sister. children and escort!
Dr. Lindsay was no ordinary man. Though
numbered with O. body never strong, and Of
tentimes compassed with infrmity, he had
an intellect Of unusual capacity, whose prop;
ciearness. It was thoroughly trained, and
ever al his command. AS q thinker he was
logical, bold, self-reliant and profound. Like
Jobs war-horse he shifted the battle from
afsr, and was ever ready for the fray In de.
fence OF the truth. Fond OF the pen, and
knowing well how to use II, he gave TO the
religious press many valuable contrioutlons:
Under his familiar nom de plume" OF "Old
Grum" he gave forth many quaint effusions-
all OF them vigorous and many OF them brill
liant His preaching, like his writing, was
strong, argumentative and forcefnl-a fine
model OF sermonlc composition. Inc writer
never heard him preach an Indifferent SER
mon-neVer a one he would not have liked 10
hear again. A firm believer In the Scriptures,
as given by inspiration OF God, he was q
warm and steadfast friend OF the Bible Soci.
u
we're the occasions OF deep and abiding inter-
est to him.
But enough. The volume Of this good and
great mans life. with its itinerary Of mi mis-.
teriaI labors extending through four States {;
with its record Of devotion to truth, OF hard.
ships endured in support OF the red cross Of
Dixie, and the redder Cross OF Calvary
through all OF which his personality stands
grandiy forth-that volume has receiy ed
its Finally" DR.. Lindsay has left us. For
a number OF days he encamped ION Jordan's
stormy bands" until on May 1lth, 1900, It's
lived, in the faith Of the Son OF God who
loved him and gave Himself for him" He
was a "brigbt and shining light;" "his wit:
ness is in heaven, and his record is on hi gh'
With Elisha. on the translation Of the unique
and picturesque Elijah. we may look up and
exclaim, "My father, my father. the chariot
Of Israel, and the horsemen thereof" Upon
whom will his mantle fall
]. Lowrie Wilson.