The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-25

a lawyer now became even more piiihant
than before, and at the time of his death
he was universally esteemed one OF the
brightest ornaments of the bar of the
High Court of Errors and Appeals of
this State; and the volumes of reports
of cases in that court, constitute last
ing testimony to his professional skill and
learning. In 1866, when case of great
Importance and involving the public III
terest, arose in that court, two OF the
regular judges being incompetent from
personal interest to sit in it, the Govern
or appointed Judge Hill one of tho spe-
cial judges to sit and determine the case
high and well deserved compliment.
1t is no part of my purpose to attempt
a highly wrought eulogy of my friend.
That would not accord with his own views
of good taste, when alive; it is not what
his pure spirit, if it could now speak,
would have me to do. But I may safely
say this much of him: He was, as a law
yer, accurate and profound; as an ad-
vocate, devoted, skilful, ready and quick
to see the points in his cause, and able
to present them with earnestness, clear
ness and force. His perceptions of legal
truth were not more the result of study
than of intuition; his mind was eminently
professional. God gave him mind not
only truthful in its character, but exceed
iugly just in all its articulations of both
word and deed. He was an original and
strong thinker on all subjects, and his
judgment was uniformly just and true.
His affections were of the warmest and
noblest sort. In the domestic circle his
virtues shown most conspicuously bright,
but his attachment to his friends was
deeply seated. He was philanthropist.
Who that was needy and deserving ever
came to him for succor and did not re-
ceive it, if it was in his power to bestow !?
What friend ever sought his counsel or
his aid in trouble of any kind, and did
not find fellow-sufferer in his sorrows?
1t is remarkable that in his long career
at the bar and in party politics he was
never known to utter a word of undue
excitement or severity. 1t was this trait
of character through life that enabled
him, in his last moments, to say to his
friends that he had no enemy that he
knew of, and was himself at peace with
all men. His amenity, liberality and
magnanimity were manifest on all occa-
sions and to all, but to none, perhaps,
so much as to the young and ipexpe-
rienced members of his profession. His
uniform kindness to them was ever
marked and gratefully acknowledged.
With all this, he was a Christian.-
Reared after the strictest sect, Pres
byterian, when he united with the church
a few years ago, he went to the bosom
of the venerable Methodist Episcopal
Church, where his beloved wife already
was, deferring to her opinions and tastes
in that matter. In fact, in religious
opinions he was remarkably tolerant,
charitable and catholic. He earnestly
desired a closer union of the different
denominations of Christians, and but a
short time before the hour of his depar-
ture came, he said to the writer and to
the Rev. G. G.. Andrews, that he had
some views in reference to promoting a
more general interest in religion in our
community, which he had wished to pre-
sent to us but he found his strength
would not permit him to do so. He was
understood to refer to a more perfect
union and sympathy amongst the people
of God.
When the announcement that his last
end was inevitably near was made to him,
he received it with as perfect calmness
as though something of most triAing
Importance had been made known to him
and this too, when it was evident from a
remark made by him to the writer only
few minutes before, that he expected
to recover. His resignation was COM
plete; his confidence in Christ as his per-
sonal Saviour was not presumptuous, but
yet bright. When he knew he must die,
he opposed the efforts of his physicians
to protract his life, and more than once
was heard to say, "Come Lord Jesus,
come quickly"
He has gone from amongst us-a no.
BILE, just and good man. A loving hus-
band, doting father, true friend, a
splendid lawyer, brave soldier, a true
patriot of the olden type, and Chris
tian gentleman, has obeyed the sum-
mons, "Come up higher" To his fami-
ly, friends, and to the whole community,
he has left an example worthy of all
imitation and name that will live after
him, untarnished by single act of dis
honor and injustice. ANXIOUS.
DIR. CHALMERS was wont to say, A
h0nSe.a0inn minister makes q ehurch.