Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-24


silvered by age, and his brow was not
furrowed by time; but he had the
elastic spirit, vivacity and general ap-
pearance of middle age. 1t was an IN
expressibly sad and impressive re-
hinder of the uncertainty of life that
the upright judge who hath been SO
clear in his great Office the loyal
friend, the devoted and aftectlonate
husband and father, whom we had SO
long been accustomed to meet IN dll-
fcrent walks of life, was sudden My re-
moved from the fellowship of the Nv
ing. For his high character. his love
of Justice, and his pure and honorable
life, for the credit he reflected upon the
legal profession and his long and faltn-
full service on the bench, his 1rlendS
and professional brethren, and all the
members of the courts honored ana VIII
long remember him and lament his de-
parture from them. He kept MS name
and conscience fair and his friends Will
forever hold them so.
The monumental marble is sometimes
erected in the form Of 4 broken and I'M
finished shaft to perpetuate the men,
CRY and symbolic the unfinished life
Of one who has passed on in the midst
of his earthly years. But in the
temple of Gods completed .provi-
dences." it has been said there are no
unfinished or broken columns"
Judge Bonney had not reached the
allotted age of man but was in the full
tide and stress of his useful work. and
there is infinite rathos III the thought
that the full completion of its years
has been withheld from any benefcent
life. But let us believe that the work
which he was appointed to do was COM
rleted according to the ways of Gods
providencc. OF this Justice and judg-
ment are the habitation' of the heav-
emily throne. But even after his criti
cal illness in May which preceded his
death in August 1906. he never APP
Feared to apprehend that death was
near, but with resolute and hopeful
spirit constantly referred to the re-
sumption of his judicial duties the fol-
Lowing September. In June. how
ever. deep and instructive yearning
for change of scene appeared to pos
seSs him. He wished to withdraw
from the din and hustle of the city;
but the gray and melancholy waste of
its manifold voices appeal to him. He
longcd for the tranquility and repose
of rural scene near the place of his
nativity This was favorite retreat
nearly under the shadow of Mount
Pleasant, and in view of the White
Mountain range. The prospect so closely
resemhled that from the scene of his
childhood that it possessed for him a
lao, II,
filled with the music of the birds and
perfumed with the Towering fields and
blossoming hilltors. Here in all its
paths the silent things of nature were
breathing the deep beauty of the
world" Here in the tender and
watchful care of his devoted wife, he
passed the sweet and ripening summer
in coEtcntment and peace. If in those
last days he had any premonition that
he was in the presence of death he
gave no sign of dismay. but with I'M
faltering trust and constant cheerful
ness, he serenely awaited the approach
of that dawn which heralds the eternal
day when Gods messenger should APP
pear and gently conduct him into the
unseen world: there
ITO be to other souls 1880
The cup of strength in some great agony
Enkindle generous ardor feed pure love
BeEet the smiles that have no cruelty
Re the presence of a good diffuSed
And in diffusion ever more intense.
SO shall he join the choir invisible
Whose music is the gladness Of the
world
And who would not say in the manly
verse of William Henley QUOTED by
Robcrt ouiS Stevenson the last wear
of his lifcl:
$50 he my passing.
Ny task accomplished and the long day
done
Nv wages taken. and in my heart
Some late lark singing
Let me he gathered to the quiet West.
The Shutdown splendid and serene
Death"