The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-06


patriotism. After abiding to bis
business success and his business
sagacity," DR. Kilgo said Mr.. Duke
had the conspicuous honor of being
the South's greatest philanthropist."
OF Mr.. Dukes gifts and service to
Trinity College DIR. Kilgo said:
ct seems to be a favorable oppor-
tunity TO tell why this good man gave
something like million dollars to
Trinity College. Only those who stand
close enough to a man to know the
inner purposes of his mind and the
real aims of his deeds may undertake
TO tell the reasons that lie behind his
works. OF these ! may confidently
speak. He was not influenced by the
cheap and popular pride of building
for himself a monument. With such
an idea he had no sympathy. Nor
was he the patron of an educational
fad. seeking to set up mark of civili-
cation as one buys rica-abrac with
which to adorn odd corners of his
palace. Nor did the outward display
of buildings and equipments concern
him. He gave to Trinity College be-
cause he believed in Christian educa-
ton. His long experience had demon
strated that society needed men of
strong and true characters more than
ii needed men of mere intellectual.
shrewdhess. And to him the Chris
tian religion was the only sure founda-
ton of character. He gave to Trinity
College because he believed that II
would discourage sectarian strifes,
that it would strive to build up i'm
Southern youth a genuine American
ism, that it would develop a spirit Of
tolerance, that it would seek to serve
the commonwealth, the nation and
the church, and that it would furnish
an opportunity to all worthy youth.
regardless of class distinction, who
earnestly desired to fit themselves for
better service In the earth. These, and
do his immortal spirit honor, bearing
perpetual witness to the majesty of his
character and the supreme qualities of
his soul. 1t would be treason to adj
minister the affairs of Trinity College
in the interest of paltry prides and
mercenary expedients. BY the. sane
tity of noble life it is forever COM
mitted to the promotion of the king
dom of truth in the lives of men"
DR.. Kilgo called him 1.-The father of
the modern Trinity" and said Trinity
College will remain the most monu-
mental witness to the largeness of this
mans SOUL" and in that connection
added:
He made possible to others that
which was never possible to himself.
In the building of this College he as
sumed a most difficult task, and that
he persisted in his aims is abundant
proof that only the loftiest and strong
est motives actuated his efforts. Pub
lie opinion is often a heartiess thing,
public sentiment is often a monster of
brutal ingratitude. II has always been
SO. The worlds worthiest benefactors
have often been the victims of the
worlds greatest maledictionS. The
good that is in the earth has come by
way of Caivarys tragic height. But
what of the few noble spirits that
have brought it along that sacrificial
route? They prove the sublime pow
ers of human nature when it acts un-
der the inspiration of an unselflsh ded-
ication to a holy cause. No unkind
criticism, no unjust accusation. no
false report, no account of public in
gratitude turned him from the work
he had taken in hand. BE it said to
his everlasting honor and TO his I'M
mortal glory that these obstacles never
embittered him and his constant com
ment on them was the quiet declara-
ton, They'll not hurt. Wen keep at
our task. Well try to make great
college that will do great good So
let it never be forgotten that Trinity
College is the expression of a man who
had invincible faith in his native State,
who sought to bless the youth of tie
future generations, and to help the
world to be better"
After telling of his religious life, his
faithful attendance upon divine ser
vice, his devotion to his church, DR.
Kilgo declared His Christian life is
an unqualified answer to all the carp
ings of skepticism and a solemn re-
proof of all irreverent infidelity."
Concluding DR.. KiIgo said:
ITO grow old beautifully is a rare
achievement AS the years multiply
and the strength of body declines and
the vigor of mind lessons and active
aims begin to give way, there is a
tendency to yield to shadows that
gather about one and to give place to
doubts and suspicious. But there APP
pear rare men who keep themselves
free from the bIighting influences Of
these infirmitieS and carry. with them
glad spirit and a joyous word, and
shed the sunshine of a trustful soul
to the last day. Mr.. Duke grew old
beautifully The irresistible impress
sions that came with his diminishing
strength naturally turned his thoughts
from earthly transitions to those
things which belong to the eternal.
With sublime serenity he talked of the
hour when he should pass out of the
mortal into the immortal world, moth
ing giving him pause save the upris-
ing of family affections, the bonds of
which he seemed to shrink from sew
ering. 1t was at the closing hour of a
splendid October day we sat together
in his private room The sun had just
disappeared below an unclouded hori-
zon and the gentle shades of the even
ing twilight fell on the earth with a
suggestive silence. There seemed to
be something supernal in the stiffness
of the hour which inspired the mind
with devout meditations and turned
thoughts toward immortal themes.
over the strong face of Mr. Duke, who
had already come along iife's way for
more than eighty years, there rested
peaceful light. The closing day
seemed to remind him of the fast APP
preaching end of his days. AS he
spoke of the end of his life there was
a soft radiance in his eye, culver in
his strong face. and tremor in his
voice. He said, The end is nCt far
away. it cannot be. There are many
that | love and many | believe love
me. With my children | have always
been happy. The only thing that
makes me hate to die is | do not want
to leave the boys The last bond that
bound him to earth was the bond that
bound him In his IA mily.