The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-22


him." Simplicity was the rule of Mr..
Denmark's life. Like a golden strand
on which pearls are strung, it ran
through the current of his deeds and
conversation. Ostentation in him was
as impossible as insincerity in Samuel
Johnson.
OF him 1t may fifty be said, non sibi
sed aliis., In the problem of life, al
truism was his major premise, egoism
the minor, and philanthropy and be-
nevolence the conclusion. He took
upon his shoulders the burdens of
orphans and widows and staggered
along his weary way to an untimely
grave. To the extent of his financial
ability, he aided deserving youth in
storing their minds with the best
weapons for the warfare of life.
He was as brave as Pickett's Brig
ade, and as courageous as Lord Coke
shen he maintained his judicial honor
at the cost of royal favor and his high
office. He would have stood on
Mars Hill with dauntless front
against all the Pagans and their
gods. He would not have denied his
Master thrice, nor once, even though
Pohtius PLATE and assembled Rome
had accused. AS a friend, Damon and
PytIfias would have welcomed him in
a tfidmVirate as an elder brother.
returned from self-exlle and, repent
ant, have laid his head upon his breast,
ana Diogehes, on meeting him; weald
heye auenehed his lamp forever
with all these Qualities of heart and
head a stranger Will wonder that Mr.
Denmark was not called by his adj
mirers TO one or more exalted stations,
and that he did not accumulate large
wealth. In neither negation Is there
nf10oC
him, but. he refused to serve. With
his broad Views Of life his just val
uatlon of what men call honors and
his sense of duty, he had neither de-
sire nor time for public office. And
he set ne store on wealth. His prayer
was Give me neither poverty nor
riches" He considered the aequisi-
ton of millions the fathers misfortune
and his children's curse. If spend
thrifts they would sink In the sloughs
of vice and spread contagion: if mis-
ers, they would grind the faces of the
poor; If covetous, they would abuse
their power before which the weak,
fawning, seryile, cringe and lie down
to be crushed.
In a sense, his brief span of years
was uneventful. His active, business
career was bounded within the mar
row limits of twenty-five years. There
was no danger to his country, no ques-
ton of public honor to challenge his
strength, or his sense of duty. But
men with industries and enterprises,
clients who sought only justice, wild
ows and orphans needing wise and
honest counsel and sure assistance,
friends ir need of a friend, made his
busy and strenuous life. And in no
instance was failure recorded. or dis
appointment felt, or regret for con-
fidence bestowed
He was the least meteoric mortal
that observation ever fell upon. His
course, orbit and light were stellar.
His steadiness and regularity suggest
ed the immoblIity of fixed star. Men
driven by every wind of doctrine, buff
feted by diverse opinions, benighted by
doubts, or drifting in unknown seas,
knew, when they looked UP, where he
stood or could be found. For, right or
wrong, there was no parallax in his
posi- ton. He was always the same, in
sunshine or darkness, in the church, at
home. abroad. in council, as counsel,
as friend. husband and father. His
moral statue daily grew by what 1t fed
on and thus his unconscious steps were
an unbrolSen movement toward the
! stars.
In the accepted sense he was not an
orator. bat his character. earnestness,
fidelity and reason spoke with most
| miraculous tongue" They attained
all the aims and ends of oratory. for
they first won confidence, and held the
| converts faith Interchangeable.
He was neither poet nor musician,
but his soul was in rythm and in har-
mony with all the beauties the poet
sings; and with all the melodies the
master, with genius in a fine phrensy,
beckons from the spirit world and
with wizard hand filings upon the en-
raptured air until It glows brilliant
sea of voluptuous sounds.
He was neither painter nor sculptor,
but was far more. for his life was
apples of gold IN a picture of silver
| and with unlaburious hand and uncon=
sciops skill he fashioned. day by day,
| statue purer than Parian marble,
and aglow with beauty and grace be-
yond the reach OF all the initiative
cunning of the sculptor's chisel.
While in him were not found all the
virtues OF mankind. still he bore but
few of their frailties and practiced
none OF their vices. While a communi-
cant. he was too catholic TO wear the
rfeid shackles of any creed. The essen
tials were his Faith. the partition wgils
and different roads 20 the Eternal City
were non-essential. The Psalmist. near
three thousand years ago. sketehed In
song the story of his life and foretold
! his eternal reward.
Lord. who shall abide in thy Taber-
necle? Who shall dwell In Thy holy
! hill?
HE that walketh uprightly and
/ worketh righteousness and speaketh
the truth In his heart.
He that backblteth not with his
tongue nor doeth evil TO his neighbor.
nor taketh up a reproach against his
neighbor.
Tn whose eyes vile person is con-
temned, but. lie honoreth them that
fear the Lord. lie that sweareth to his
own hurt and changeth not.
He that putteth not out his money
10 usury, nor taketh reward against
! the innopcnt He that doeth these