The morning call., 1892-10-27
CHEST AND BEST BELOVED"
Hon. NJ. NJ. Estee Speaks of His Brilliant
Work.

Hon. M. NJ. Estee Speaks of His Brilliant
Work.
In the graceful garland of heartfelt
eulogies laid on the monuments pedestal the
following tribute from NJ. Nj. Estee is
Of peculiar interest:
l never knew Thomas Starr King in
timately. l learned to know him we'll by
frequently hearing him speak and meeting
him occasionally. AS speaker l never can
forget him; what he said and how he said it
would impress the most casual observer.
He came to California in war times, at
the very hour when the nation was on fire,
and although minister of the gospel he
took sides for his country. He was a
Christian, and yet he favored war. He
knew that peace could only come that way.
He spoke OF the duty of American citizens
both in the pulpit and out of it. In the path
of duty he never heSitated. He believed in
his country, in all OF 1t, but he made no dis
play OF these opinions. As a teacher among
men be did not hesitate to say what he
thought openly. fearlessly He did not seek
applause; he was no actor, he was SIM
plicity itself; he was eloquent without
knowing it. Even his hearers wondered
why they were SO spellbound by his voice.
The secret was In bis eloquence. his mas
terful Re as0ning, his pure but simple diction,
and his great sincerity.
lie believed minister of the gospel
should miDgle with and know the people,
and by knowing them well, he could teach
them better.
Though 40 years old when he died, on the
rostrum, and until he spoke. he looked like
boy, but he spoke like a man and one of
the greatest among men.
Although minister OF the Unitarian
church. most of the people did not know or
care to know his church affiliations; he was
too big for any enc society; he belonged to
the people.
rs speaker. he was full of surpris es.
He always startled his listeners by say ing
an old thing in new or better way, or by
SAYING something so new that 1t was a
revelation.
His speech at Platps Hall urging dona-
tons to the Sanitary Commission was
conspicuous instance. The topic was fami-
lar 10 all, but 1t was reserved TO him TO
make the most persuasive appeal that ever
fell from the lips of man. / can imagine
how he said, Give. give, | pray you-there
are no enemies in the hospital or the
grave; how he described the giant strug-
gle then impending over our country; of the
sick uncared for, the wounded unattended,
the dead uDburled, or ii buried, left with
unmarked graves; how he said that no sac
rilce was too great, no labor too ardu0us. II
the nation might be made to live; and what
a nation, and what a death such a nation
would die. aud how much lis death would
mean TO freedom and to civilization.
| often heard him lecture, for his attain
ments were as varied as they were brilliant.
He seemed to grasp the whole field of
knowledge, and yet he never left anything
half said or any act half done.
When he died he was the best known
and one of the best beloved men in Our
State. He did not seek notoriety. but for
the right he knew no fear. He was as
modest as woman. No man possessed
greater courage of conviction In the highest
and best sense he was an orator; he was
Christian from inspiration, patriot by
instinct NJ. nj. ESTEE.