New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-12-04

yantaees Of q position are exactly proportionate
10 its moral perils, so that no mans opportunities
Of forming and exempfying the Christian charac-
ter in some OF its most commanding attributes are
great those of the merchant. In no man Is sa
penorty To wordlness so much hOnOred-nO man
integ rity widely known or 80 much venerated
Honor, uprightness brotherly kindness, purity ana
singlenes OF purpose, moderation and essettlal
superiority 10 worldly msxims-these qualities, n
they exist IN the merchant at aii exist IN MN IN
spite Of daily trials and temptations II any mans
principles require 10 be sound 70 the core II is bis.
They DO not exist by the fgbearance or felicity Of
circumstan They are not passive graces.
They need TO be positive active aggressive qual-
ties, opposing to the perlls and assaults OF bis
circumstance rigid and stern resistance. As
such, when they exist they are recognized and
hoDOred. No man occupies more commanding
moral position-dispays more sincere and com
pulsory reverence, than the Christian merchant
And what does the community need 80 much
What can it 50 lily spare az the example Of such
men. 1t was for ten such men that God offered
n spare Sodom.
Ny brethren, we have had sucn an example be
fore as In distinguished merchant Of THIS com
munity and an honored member Of this Christian
Society recently departed from among the living.
The WIDE commentary which the character Of Jos
ATTAIN GoODHUE has drawn from the public press,
makes It too late 10 pay an original trbate 70 ms
virtues, as IT removes the apprehension Of offend
ing the delcacy Of kindred and friends by public
notice, yet 1t is due 70 ourselves not 10 allow the
grave 70 close upon 30 respected and loved men,
Der OF our society, without special cOmmemora-
ton Tor own benefit. OF his upright and benev-
client life. He was a Christian Merchant. We
must consider him IN that character Let the
Characteristic modesty and moderation Of the an
we contemplate, be honored in the chastened hues
In which We dehneate bis moral features
Jonathan Goodhue, the son Of Hon. Jonathan
Goodhue, Senator from Massachusetts, came to
this City about forty years ago, and entered upon
mercantile life. The public know him only as
merchant He has filed no political Offices
made himself conspicuous IN any pbllanthrOpic
causes. He has originated no large and striking
speculations nor distinguished himself by brilliant
success. We have not been accustomed 10 hear
his name In the mouth OF the publifnor 70 see It
IN the columns Of our newspapers. No mans
life had fewer incidents oil an exciting character,
or offers more meager matter for the blograPher.
We have not seen him IN attitudes OF trial or
temptation peculiar TO himself or in crises fitted
20 call forth the pubic sympathy, or 10 attract the
public attention. He is identified with no special
movements whether civil, commercial or phllsn-
thropic that might give luster TO his name. HIS
hie has been as private as an extensive business
would allow mis- career as ordinary and common
place in its history as any mans among us OF sim
liar age and commercial relations. He was bat
one among thousand in our community OF equal
wealth, similar connections in business and like
relations with the public. Indeed, more than al
most any other citizen Of similar Intelligence,
perience and standing, might he be styled prI-
vste person. Why, then. is it that, with an al
most unequaled demonstration Of sorrow and
bereavement, this community gathers about his
grave and testifss, In the sncerest and heartlest
forms, its reverence and love Whence this
burst OF admiration, respect and affection coming
simultaneously from every portion OF the public
uttered through tho resolutions oil commercial
bodies, speaking from the lips of the Press, and
above all, falling In tones OF tenderness from prl
i'm a nj Ia ae N
every one had lost friend, guide, an example
one whom he IL surprised TO find has been equally
the object OF respect and attention with ten thou
sand others. No concert of action no mutual IN
derstanding has marked this expression OF public
feeling. Wehardly knew we had a among us
IN whom such regards united, and no one could
before have predicted the impression his death
would make upon the community He filed SO
quiet, so unobtrusve, so steady place among us,
that our thoughts were never directly abruptly
liked upon him. We felt. we knew, his worth |
and influence, but We did not make 1t the theme |
OF our frequent remark, nor weigh II against that
Of others and therefore, repeat are we almost |
taken by surprise when forced by general test
mony 10 acknowledge that no could be taken |
from this community, possessing such universal
confidence filling larger place in its affections
and respect.
My brethren, it is the recognized worth Of pri-
vate character which has extorted this homage
1t is not what he has done, but what he has been |
this community.
JONATHAN GooDHvT had succeeded in a long |
and active life OF business in which he became |
known TO almost all our people in the ordinary re-
iatiOns OF trade and commerce, and in impressing
them with deep and unquestloned sense OF hs
personal integrity and essential goodness. Col |
lecting its evidence from thousand untrace able
sources, from the unconscious notice of his uniform
and constant life, from the indirect testimony of
the thousands who dealt with him, from personal
observation and from the very countenance aud |
manners of the man. instinct with goodness, this |
community had become penetrated with the con |
victon OF his changeless, real virtue, of his spot
less honor of his secret and thorough worth. 9th |
er men may have had his general worth-God ior- |
bid that II should DO otherwise-but he somehow |
manifested II In way TO place IL bsyo2d csvil, |
jealousy, suspicion or Indifference. lie occupied |
what 10 ever 10 be viewed as the greatest OF all |
earthly positions, that OF witness 10 the reality |
OF virtue, and one hose testimony accepted |
Brethren, do know the greatness OF this |
ONCE DO we recognize that which 1t supplies |
az the prooundest need Of society. that which II |
accomphshes as the most useful and sublime ser |
vice rendered TO men and communities. Ii we |
ask ourselves what the public is now so crate |
fuily contemplating In the memory Of this great
and good man We lind that it is not his public ser
vices, not his commercial Importance, not even
his particular virtues and graces. Ii is the man
himself, the pure, high-mnded, righteous man.
with gentle and full affections W tho adorned our
nature, who dlgnitied the mercantile profession
who was superior 10 his station. TO his riches his
exposures, and made the common virtues more re
speeted and venerable than shining talents or pub
ic honors who indicated the dignity OF common
hie and carried high, large and noble spirit into
ordinary affairs who made men recognize some
thins involsbe and awful even In the private con
science, and thus gave sanctity and value to our
common humanity.
Yes, my brethren this was the power thu. the
attraction, this the value of Jonathan Goodhue's
life. HE has made men believe in virtue he has
made them honor character more than statioAo or
wealth; he has the possible points OF dis
lnterestedness ana elevation of mercantile life
he has proved that rich man can enter the King
dom OF Heaven. He stands out, by reclamation.
the model oi n Christian merchant.
Here perhaps might better pause. az HAVING
sand all that needs to be set forth on this occasion
but you will suffer me to dwell with little dis
elimination upon 30 interesting asubiect of con.
temptation.
The Distinguishing moral traits of Mr. Goodhue |
were purity OF mind, conscientiousness. benevo- |
lence and love OF freedom.
Perhaps the FIRST was the most striking in man |