The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1908-11-18

Couldst thou not lodge HIM one nish'
in thy gate?
}, Miss ANNIE LoRYEA.
------------
ATRUE SERVANT OF GOD.
A Glowing and Deserved Sketch Of the Rev.
! Dr.. James Mcdowell.
To the Editor OF the News and Cou'
rier: The subject OF this sketch, the
Rev. James Mcdowell, D. D., former
pastor of the Manning Presbyterian
church. conducted services Sunday,
November /. and as he is preparing 10
undergo very serious operation at the
John Hopkins hospital, of Baltimore, it
was evidenced to the large circle OF
people. men. women and children, as
! sembled in the beautiful edlfce tina: it
was in the nature of farewell sermon,
and his discourse was listened to with
sincere and heartfelt attention, for IL
was to many of them present like ''leaf
| from the past"
His text was from First Epistle Cen
eral of John, 2.28, "Aad now, little
! children; abide in Him, that when He
shall appear we may have confidence and
not be ashamed before Him at His COM
ing"
In his introductory remarks prior to
the sermon he explained why the apos-
tie addressed his hearers as ''little chill
dren y The apostle wss then about so
years of age and the Oldest living Chris
tian at that time, and the only surYlv
ing and Oldest Christian of the twelve
apostles.
The expression, ''little children" i'm
piled endearment as well as parental
authority, and it seemed particularly
applicable for the Rev. Mr.. Mcdowell
to use the expression in addressing the
congregation, as it was composed large
ly of the children OF those to whom be
had ministered half a century ago.
The sermon that followed was DIVIDED
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 manifest
ed and tears welled up in many eyes as
they thought that this ''good and faith
ful servant OF Cod had joined them in
wedlock, c;lristened 5heir 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
thence and loving care taught them the
glory of God and showed them their err
rors 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 clergymen, had
told them words of peace.
There was also delivered another SER
mon at night, in which the following
workers in the vineyard of the Lord
participated: The Revs c. A. Blanch-
ard, Clarendon Baptist church; .. A.
Phillips, Manning Methodist church,
and A. 4. Woodson. of the Manning
Presbyterian church.
The Rev. James Mcdowell, D. D.,
was born in Georgetc wn, S. c., IN the
year 1852. Graduated at South Carolina
University in 1858 and at Columbia Sem
mary in 1856. Soon after he married
Miss Mary Witherspoon. OF Sumter. and
was called as assistant pastor Of DR..
Smyth's Second Presbyterian church,
of Charleston. Was there only & few
months when he was called to the pas-
torate of Clarendon and Harmony
churches, of Clarendon County. When
the town OF Manning was located these
two churches united, forming Manning
Presbyterian, of which he was pastor
until 1900, except during the War. be-
tween the States, when he was chaplain
of the 9Th S. c., regiment. known as
"The Palmetto Sharpshooters." Serv-
ing under that peerless soldier aud gen.
tleman, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Army OF
Northern Virginia, surrendered with
him at Appomattox. He was conrade
of that reverend gentleman. Dunlop,
known for his unconventionality and as
the "Fighting Parson."
By his first marriage he has three
children, DR.. James Mcdowell, an e&-
cellent physician and true type OF the
southern gentleman, now residing at
Yorkville, and two daughters, wives OF
the Hon. Mitchell Seabrook. OF Edlsto
Island, q large and prominent farmer
and former member of the general as
serbly from Charleston County, and a
gentleman universally esteemed for his
many noble qualities, and OF the Rev.
Charles Richards, of the North Caro-
lima Presbyterian Presbytery.
Late in life he welded that sweet
character, Miss Belle Lachicotte, OF
Georgetown, who preceded him to the
Throne of God a few years ago. She
was worthy helpmate to this gentle
and. pure divine, and her loss was
heavy blow, as she, by her noble and
endearine qualities, had given him aid
and consolation and support in his de-
clining years but he bore this affection
with patient resignation, knowing as he
had preached often and often, that ''God
doeth all things we'll" There were no
children from this marriage. Her broth
ers are Capt. Frank and MIR. ST.. Julian
Lachicotte, of Georgetown County, and
MIR. Lachicotte, we'll known in CONNER
cial life Of Columbia. The honorary de-
gree of doctor of divinity was conferred
upon M. Mcdowell by Davidson col
lege.
Since leaving Manning Presbyterian
churcl, he has served two of the largest
country churches in Harmony Presby-
tery-Midway and Bethel. Owing to
falling health he has resigned rs pastor
of these churches, and after spending a
short time with dear and devoted friends
has repaired to the homes of his chill
dren, and will go to Baltimore after
these visits are terminated.
And now word in closing. "God IN
His infinite mercy" will spare this
splendid seavant of God, who. as imam,
minister and gentleman" has never
proven recreant to the trust reposed in
him, and the wish is expressed oy al,
irrespective of creed, that his life will
be spared fo- many years and allow him
to ''go about doing good.
The preparation of this comnunica-
ton has been labor Of love, for this
! NJ