The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-11-18
A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD.
An Appreciative Sketch of the Rev.
DIR. James Mcdowell.

Rev. James Mcdowell, d. d., former
pastor Of the Manning Presbyterian
church, conducted services Sunday,
November 1, and as he is preparing to
undergo a very serious operation at
the John Hopkins hospital, Of Balti-
circle of people. men. women and
children, assembled in the beautiful
edfice that 1t was in the nature Of a
farewell sermon. and his discouis Sc was
listened to with sincere and heartfelt
attention, for it was to many Of them
present like leaf from the past"
His text was from First Epistle Gen.
eral Of John, 2.2S: 'And now, little
children, abide in Him, that when He
shall appear we may have confidence
and not be ashamed before Him at His
coming"
In his Introductory remarks prior to
the sermon he explained why the
apostle addressed his hearers as "little
children" The apostle was then about
30 years Of age and the oldest living
Christian at that time. and the only
surviving and oldest Christian Of the
twelve apostles.
The expression. little children" i'm
piled endearment as we'll as parental
authority. and 1t seemed particularly
applicable for the Rev. Mr.. Mcdowell
to use the expression in addressing the
congregation, as 1t was composed
largely Of the children of those to
whom he had ministered half q CEN
tury ago.
The Sermon that followed was divid-
ed into four topics suggestive Of the
text, dwelling particularly upon the
abiding In the church and the reward.
1t was solemn, touching. sincere and
earnest appeal, and great feeling was
manifested and tears welled up in
many eyes as they thought that this
good and faithful servant Of Cod
had Joined them in wediocX, chirsten-
ed their offspring and, alas, in many
instances, stood at the bed Of their
children and administered the sacra-
ments Of their church to those fast
passing to the great unknown. Truly
through many years had he with pa
tience and loving care taught them
the glory Of God and showed them
their errors and Inconsistencies. Truly
he had
Taught them all the mercy. for he
showed them all the sin,
For though their lamps were lighted
late there's One will let them in.
And that good man. the clergyman,
had told them words Of peace"
There was also delivered another
sermon at night, In which the follow
Ing workers in the vineyard Of the
Lord participated: The Revs. c. A..
Blanchard. Clarendon Baptist church;
d. A. Phillips. Manning Methodist
church, and A. r. Woodson, OF the
Manning Presbyterian church.
The Rev. James Mcdowell. d. D..
was born in Georgetown. S. c., in the
year 1882. Graduated at South Caro-
lima University In 1853 and at Column
bia Seminary in 1856. Soon after he
married Miss Mary Witherspoon. OF
Sumter, and was called as assistant
pastor Of DIR. Smyth's Second Presby-
.erian church, of Charleston. Was
there only a few months when he was
allied to the pastorate of Clarendo
nd Harmony churches, Of Clarendon
Codnt'' When the town Of Manninc
was locat,G these two churches united,
firm ing Mama; Presbyterian. Of
which hc was pa g" until 1900, ex-
cept during = War Between the
States, when &c was chaplain OF the
9Th :. c. slment, known as THE
Palmetto Shu. pshooters." Serving un.
der that peerless soldier and gentle
man, Gen. Robert e. Lee, Army of
Northern Virginia surrendered with
him at Appomattox. He was a COM
rade CT that reverend gentleman, Dun
lop. kown for his unconventionality
and as the Fighting Parson.'
BY his first marriage he has three
children, DR.. James Mcdowell an ex-
ccllent physician and a true type of
the southern gentleman, now residing
at Yorkville, and two daughters. wives
OF the Hon. Mitchell Seabrook. of Edi-
sto Island, large sad prom:ne nj
farmer and former Wen.tr OF the
general assembly from Cn&rleston
county and gentleman universally
esteemed for his r'?ay noble Qualities.
and of the Rev. charles richards. Of