The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-29

father, Wing in politics, but after
Llncoln's Proclamation in the spring
OF 1861. be supported the policy OF
secession. To the end OF his life, |
believe, he never changed his conyic-
tlon as to the necessity and Justice OF
that measure under the circum-
stances, and in that crisis of our State
history. Though beyond the age for
active service. he bore arms during
the war between the States, in the or
ganization known as the 'Senoir
Reserves. organized for home de
| fense.
The issue Of that struggle was to
him, as to many others, an experience
of deep and bitter disappointment.
He never completely adjusted him
self to the political results of the
war. He was too far advanced in the
Development Of his character and con-
Fictions to adapt himself to the new
world. He remained as long as he
lived noble and interesting speci-
men of a former order of things. His
virtues were to Us younger men the
virtues OF a former age. He was in
character, in manners, in feeling, as
truly antique as if he had come down
to Us from the Revolution Of 1716.
The war put an end to the world TO
which he belonged.
And now, strange to saV-in this
new world so different from the old
world, and to which he was never
truly reconcile1-in this world, with
out any essential change in himself,
he begins a new life. Under the in
tluence and advice af Bishop Atkinson
he took Holy Orders. think this did
not imply any very great or special
change in himself. He had always
been a man Of deep piety and unaf-
fected devotion. He continued such
all his life. But he never became in
the least degree an EcclesiaStic. He
was ordained. but | think he never
looked upon himself as belonging
specially to an Order. His concep-
ton Of the Ministry was different.
He had a most Jealous attachment to
the Church of his fathers: he was
conscientious in his study of Holy
Scripture: IN preparing for Ordina-
. ton he read a great many religious
and theological books; he continued
to buy and study religious books to a
degree that few Of his brethren sus-
pected. He left a Theological and re-
hglouS library superior to most OF
those found in this Diocese. But to
the end of his days he seemed to me
to be the same that first remem bcr-
ed him. when he was lavman resid-
ing in Edgecombe county in 1868. He
al ha
Convocation. or other meetings OF the
Clergy. He was the same high
minded, pure, godlv. dcvout, henev0-
lent, unseltish Christian that he had
. always been. and also the same indie
pendent gentleman, not bound by any
fear Of singularity to other mems
! ways or opinions, but following
bravely, and perhaps little deliantlv,
AT times. his own path. This seems
to me to explain a good many Of the
acts ard ways Of our dear brother.
And certainly nothing could be
+ more beautiful and affecting than the
last thirty wears Of that goIlv life.
-, He chose to minister to those weak
and scattered country congregations,
who were unable to give him more
than very modest support. and he
was very careless about eXactinr what
they could give. He had had wealth.
and he had not felt that wealth made
him any better than others. He now
knew what it was to be poor, and it
never occurred to him that there was
any depreciation in poverty. He had
soul far above any such considera-
tions. He was an Arstocrat in the
best sense Of the word. He thought
that the best men ia the community
:. should rule-but he never measured
, merit by money. He was as respect
. ful, as deferential in manner. to the
poorest man. in whom he recognized
the virtues of manhood, as he was to
the greatest and richest. suppose
We may say. in a high and Christian
sense Of the word. that he wa. a prOud
man-if there is such a thing proper
to the Christian as pride-but no man
! was ever frcer from the low. base
quality that usually bears thst name.
OF his service rendered as a pastor
and preacher during the thirty-one
and half wears OF his ministry, need
not speak in thi. place. You all know
lovingly. how unsellishlv, how unre-
mittingly. he gave himself up to his
great work Of preaching the Gospel Of
the Grace of God. and how zealouslv
he reproved. rebuked. and eNhorted,
with all long suffering and doctrine.
; There seemed to be no limit to his
zeal in doing his work. Not only his
three churches were served regularly
: "a long as his strength lasted. but
: how many other assemblies, public
and private. heard the sound Of his
= earnest and eloquent voice, The
:. seed he .owed was the Word Of God.
. and his field was the world.
The value Of such life so spent,
who can estimate? We read in the
writings OF the greatest Of drama
fists;
. The evil that men do lives after them:
The good is oft inferred with their bones.
But Shakespeare does not say this
= He puts that fal>ehoOd into the mouth
i of base and selfish politician. who
> Judged men by the low standard OIL
!, his own character. Much more true
=. it is to reverse the saying. and t
maintain the survival of the good
: The world Is better. we are better to
: dav, for the goodness Of him whom
. We commemorate. say with SINGER
ity that | can remember nothing o1
nv own knowledge or by the repor'
: OF others. in the life Of our dea1
: brother. which should feel justified
in calling evil. But suppo>ing tina
ua rnulI tfuf hara a,tt ,ba-n -auit.