The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-04-05
TRIBUTE TO OLD TIME NEGRO.
James Parler, Ninety Years Old, Died
Recently at Denmark.

aged negro, of Denmark. died Decem-
Der 18th. The Rev. Richard Carroll
of Columbia, was requested to de-
liver an euiogistic sermon Sunday,
April 1st. Parler was we'll known
by the older citizens of Bambers
county. The late Major E. R. Hayes
was great friend of Parler's and
did much to help him secure 100
acres of land near Denmark.
The following is a synopsis of the
Rev. CAROLS sermon. The text used
is found in Matthew 7:20: BY their
fruits ye shall know them"
Tribute by Richard Carroll.
Deacon James Peter Parler was
intimately known to me for 40 years.
l lived in his home, was member of
the same church. l attended his
funeral April 1st. He requested that
l preach his funeral sermon. He was
nearly 80 years old when he died.
have never known a greater deacon
in my life.
Il said nothing about his going to
heaven or walking the golden streets,
as negro preachers usually do on
funeral occasions. l spoke of his
walk and his deeds in this life.
First: He was converted man.
BY their fruits We shall know them.
Second: He was absolutely devoted
to his family and provided for and
protected them. Third: He was de-
voted to his church and Sunday
school. I have never known him to
miss Sunday-school or church service
in 40 years, if he was able to go.
Fourth: He was the largest con-
tributor to pastors salary and
church benevolence. Fifth: He had
wisdom. Though he could not read
or write, he had more sense and
knowledge, and knew how to apply
it better than any man | ever saw.
His christian life was as perfect as
any l have ever witnessed in any
man. He fought crime, immortality
and drunkenness. Sixth: Though
he believed in education
and contended for an educated minis
try. Seventh: He believed absolute
ly in ministerial purity and no man
who practiced wickedness and
preached righteousness could abide
as pastor of Rome church if he could
get him out. Eighth: He looked af-
ter the pastors salary and his COM
fort. He was never satisfied until
every dollar was paid and if the SAL
ary was "up p-to-date' he would lead
off in giving more than the salary
and beg the members to follow.
Ninth: He was independent in poll
tics. Ever since 1876 he had been
not by persuasion, but by
choice. He voted the Democratic
ticket in spite of abuse, ostracism
and slander by the members of his
church and of his race in that COM
His first vote was the Dem
ocratic ticket and his last vote was
cast as Democrat Tenth: He was
a man of great hospitality. He liked
but was careful about the
men and women that he invited to
his home. No person of questionable
character was welcome there. He
protected his daughters and sons by
keeping away from his home per-
sons of questionable character.
What Made Him Great.
He was observant-a good listen
er, a good hearer. He gave atten-
tion to preaching and had the fac
ulty of retention. He had a wonder
full memory. Twas his pastor once
and l never knew him to look around
at people entering the church. He
could always tell the text and what
was said about it, He sought the
company of wise men. He invited
white preachers of all denominations
to preach in his church, and if color
ed Methodist or Presbyterian pastors
we're in that community and were in
telligent and of good character he
would invite them to preach and also
to go to his home.
He had family prayer. He had
preachers read, pray and explain the
Bible when at his home. l have
never known a colored deacon better
versed in Baptist doctrine, principles
and church government.
He never complained once, to my
in 40 years about too
much rain, about the drought, storms.
floods, or poverty. For 80 years he
was an invalid, unable to work with
his hands, but he worked with his
1..;., a;,oot;,o +ba 70 p,i1y and when