J. S. Lamar (1829–1908)

The subject of this sketch was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, May 18, 1829. He was soon after removed to Muscogee County, (then newly settled,) where he was brought up amid the surroundings and under the educational disadvantages peculiar to a new country. He acquired, however, an early fondness for learning, and managed, at the age of seventeen, to enter an academy, where was laid the foundation of a good education.

In 1850, he was admitted to the bar in the city of Columbus, but, being providentially introduced, about that time, to a knowledge of the primitive Gospel, and baptized, upon a profession of his faith, by an enlightened Baptist preacher, who did not require him to go before the Church, or to narrate an experience, and who considered the example of Philip and the eunuch as a sufficient authority, he was so deeply impressed by the simplicity and beauty, and, above all, the importance of the primitive Gospel, that he was earnestly desirous of devoting his life to the ministry. But he was all alone, having no Church, no fellowship, no Christian sympathy in his community. Besides, he was not willing to assume the responsibility of preaching without a finished education, and a regular appointment to the work. But all these obstacles were happily removed. By the kindness of friends, he was enabled to enter Bethany College, in January, 1853, where he was graduated in July, 1854, and ordained, about the same time, in the Bethany Church, as an Evangelist. Soon afterward he was called to the church in Augusta, {Georgia} where, with one brief intermission, he has been ever since.

In 1859, he published a work entitled "The Organon of Scripture; or, the Inductive Method of Biblical Interpretation." This work is written in an easy and graceful style, and is a very creditable production for one so young to write. If, however, he had spent several more years in perfecting it, the work would, doubtless, have been of much greater value. As it is, it is worthy of careful study, and certainly encourages us to hope that the author will not let his pen remain idle.

Brother Lamar has a beautiful mind. He is incapable of any thing uncouth or vulgar. His thoughts are chaste and fresh, and always expressed in a polished, forcible style. He is a hard student, but reads a very select library. He seeks for perfection in every thing, and, consequently, his literary labors are always carefully performed.

As a speaker, he is clear, pointed, earnest, and impressive. He is very choice in his selection of words, and generally says the right thing in the right way. He has scarcely enough passion for an orator, and his voice, though well modulated, and perfectly under his control, has not sufficient volume for fine effect. His gesticulation is graceful, and his manner pleasing, but his preaching is better adapted to a select audience than the masses. He is an excellent pastor, but does not succeed so well as an Evangelist. -The Living Pulpit Of The Christian Church, W.T. Moore, c.1868 pages 399-400