The Brookhaven leader., 1886-08-12
DIR. H. p. JOHNSON

educated for the profession ot the
law. lie was about 81 years Of age
when in lS49 he moved to Smith
county. Mss, and opened II law
Office az the county site. 1t vac
then and there be woCei anil won
the gentle lady who survives him,
and in the court house of the little
town Of Raleigh lie commenced his
career. He soon developed an apti-
trde for his profession that ensured
him success and prominence at the
bar.
In 1851 he was a candidate for
District Attorney, against man OF
fue attachments, large experience
and great popularity, and TO the sur
prise Of even his friends he was
elected. This position brought him
prominently before the masses who
were quick to recognize his sterling
worth, and it is safe to say, they
never afterwards in all his subse-
ausn. life distrusted him for mo.
ment.
1t was about 1855 when he deter
mined to lay down his profession
and enter the ministry. His deter
mination took most of his friend
and indeed all who knew him except
tue few acquainted with his inner
life, by surprise. To abandon lu-
crative practice and so fine an OPP
portunty 10 acquire place and
power in the State, was SO unusual
and exceptional that there were not
a few who saw in it some scheme
other than the promptings OF that
masculine conscience which assert
ed itself in all that he thought and
did.
In 1866 or 81 he was placed in
charge of the school at this place
Tn to that time the enterprise had
languished, keeping-on lis feet, 80 to
sneak, with the greatest difficulty
and constantly threatened with
dissolution.
1t was in the midst OF these dis
couraging antecedents that DIT.
johnson assumed the duties and res
possibilities of principal of the in'
stitute. 1t was not long before all
men took note that an organizer had
appeared. In q single session he
inspired unbounded confidence. The
Methodist denomination, and IN iact
all denominations, rallied TO his sup
port a6a soon laid the foundation
of Whitworth College upon an "n,
during basis.
d.. Johnson was always glad T."
recognize with gratitude many
names who stood by him through
all his struggles and trials, but We
must all admit that it was his own
indomitable will and faith in God
that made his enterprise a success.
Tested by all the rules that
measure and establish true great
ness, DR.. johnson was great. He
was not only great in the pulpit
but great in his family and in his
school-great in the benelicent IN
iucnce he shed around ahd about
him upon the community IN which o.
he lived-great ia The c"uns"I- al
his church, and great AS al sNamPi'
of what the religion OF Jesus Christ
may make of man.
One of his conspicuous character
istics was his confidence in himself
and the utter absence in his nature
of anything like hero worship. He
was the tool of no man, or set of
men, and stood uuabashed and
unawed in the most exalted
presence. But this self-poise and
freedom from embarrassment was
not offensive or demonstrative. 1t
was the manifest ou'growth Of a
soul constantly in communion with
God, and a habit of seeking tue
honor that comes from him, and not
the honor which men can bestow.
He was a courageous man-an
aggressive man in everything be
undertook. While it is certain
he was by no means Indifferent to
the applause Of his fellow citizens,
he never sought it as the demogogue
seeks it, by questionable contri
vances, nor by seeking to disparage
others. He was a bold and outspoken
adversary, he was a quiet but sin
cere friend.
We learn that in his last illness
he passed through a fiery ordeal OF
suffering. How did he encounter it?
Tk.L. -1.lI oo,lI I-.o,r ,I,o S.,o