The weekly Columbian. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne Co., Cal.) 1856-1???, 1856-07-19
ter ii is both proper and profitable to publicly

ter it is both proper and profitable to publicly
commemorate
We need not fear to speak out frankly and
boldly what we have to say of 3. NJ. Brainard
All of us who knew him have property in his
many excellent qualities. That he was perfect
would pain his friends more than it would his
enemies 10 hear Us assert; but his faults were
such as the world will ever regard with len-
ent judgement. They were not such as we
shrinl. from mentioning when we lay the body
in the tomb. He made no profession of religion
and therefore his character cannot fairly be
measured by the standard of such a profession
Even his dying testimony as to what may have
been his former religions feelings and struggles
was denied us by the unintermitted delreum
which almost from the first attended his brief
illness. But to those who knew what life has
been here. it will appear no slight commenda
ton to say that his character as moral man
wthstood years OF temptation in California life
uncontaminated Contemplating residence
of some years in this place. he took deep in
terest in our social improvement. Educational
movements found in him a warm friend and
afiectonate helper As q Trustee of this
Church. we had learned to depend and rely up
on him. His name was at the head of our sub
scriptions for the largest sum. and we were dis
missed with cordial assurance that he expected
to do more would make us feel that a second
call upon the same errand would not make Us
repulsive. His plans were large and PERSONAL
| ly liberal with regard to contemplated improve
| nelts upon our house of worship He was the
first to welcome your pastor and his companion
when we come to settle among you. and for
C )nsiderable period extended to US the gra-
tutous hospitality of his own home He was
an important man to the feeble religious enter
prise we have been struggling to build up here.
We shall deeply feel, and not easily repair, his
loss.
But no man can attain such a prominence as
he did in a community like tais without being
in an important sense a representative man, He
must sand out from his class marked by some
peculiar ability and distinguishing traits. He
will be among the first referred to as noted
example in that class. We can never take the
true measure or estimate of such men. nor
rightly understand them. until we view them
in this light. If now we look at the subject of
of these remarks to see what he was peculiarly
| and Enthusiastically, he stands before us as
the honorable. energetic, persevering and sue
cessful man of business. This is what he was;
| and it was in this capacity and character that
| he had gained leading influence in all the gem
eral interests of this community. Beginning
small. FIVE or six years of active business had
suffced for him to amass handsome fortune.
| III had become the centre and guiding spirit OF
| the most extensive business movements OF any
! one individual. probably. in this whole region.
| Uendar his supervision all moved steadily and
successfully on. No ordinary talent, of the Pc
| C liar kind required could have accomplished
50 much; and as his business was conducted in
! the same Tlace for a succession of years such
| success implies happy faculty to make and
| keep good business friends and customers.
| This lie possessed. He had the confidence of
! those who dealt with him. He made men feel
! that his word could be relied on, and then new
| eP abused the confidence they reposed in him
! lie Xacted his own but was lenient creditor
| to those in pecuniary straits. There are many
! TO speak with gratitude Of the kindness and ia
vor ne showed them in an hour of need None
Will wish to deny that he loved money; it is the
| fault of our times and peculiarly of this State;
! but there are naturally evidences that he was
neither avorcious nor INSCRIPTIONS as to the
means by which he made money. His abandon
| ment OF the liquor traffic when it was almost
| universal among his class and the source of
/ large profits shows that he did not wait for pub
lie sentiment to control or lead his action. He
was prompted by deep-rooted principle with
in which he would not sacrifice for money-and
! it deserves to BE- made prominent fact in the
history of Columbia, when it shall be written
that for more than one year. his was the only
/ store IN the whole town which was closed
agan customers OF the Holy Sabbath
Its pleasant to meet with such an example here
| in the business world. 1t is pleasant to remom-
/ Der these facts OF the departed We delight to
! hold them up for your approval and imitation
! They ought to have great weight. q, that
| there were many in this land to initiate them !
| 4 strong man has fallen among us, and we
| all fee that this is the hour of sorrow Not
| often are the places of business in our town so
generally closed and draped in mourning while
we convey the body OF fellow mortal to the
N,Nt ftf,-,, ,oto rod la4t inc
ciety and the business world by the departure
of a single citizen. 1t was singularly impress
! sive to me the moIrling after our friends de-
| cease. to notice as walked through our streets
| how quiet and silent were many places which
F, the week before had been the center of life and
| activity. The animating spirit of that activity
| had been taken away and none had yet appear
Cd to take his place. Heavily has the blow
| fallen upon this people, and We shall not soon
cease to feel its effects
| But there is one circle where it came with al
most crushing force. a son, a brother, a hus-
band father. is taken from that circle. In all
these relations he was a kind hearted affection
/ ate man. loving and beloved. Those who stood
| IN these relations to him best know and appre-
/ ciate his worth: and to them all our words OF
| commentator will, no doubt, appear meager
! indeed. They have seen with anxiety the be-
! ginning of disease; they have watched It's pros
/ sess with increasing alarm until nope iaded
They have seen their worst fears confirmed on
ly to feel an abiding sorrow settling down upon
| their hearts which, although the CONSIDERATIONS
of religion may assrage. the lapse OF years oaly
/ can fully heal. Their home seems sad aud de-
solate now is light has gone out Life has
exchanged its light for gloom. They are call
ed to learn how much OF sorrow the neast eau
bear. We can only minsle our tears with
theirs to day and bow our hearts before the
loving dispenser of all events and pray that
they may have strength to bear aud grace 10
| glorfy him in their atfl ctlon
| BEAUTIFUI.-There is a sentlm mt as beatul
| as just in the the following lines:
L L., rbf, q fbo, fcnn all