The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-17

written for The Richmond Nirgiuiaul
born near Dinwlddie Courthouse on
the 18th day of August, 1886. According TO
the allotted tinlo Of man upon earth. rust
soon go hence desire before / 60 10 give my
experience of a life which / have Tor 50 long a
reriod enjoyed and acted my part upon earth.
I snail write plainly, bat truthfully. / have
been temperate III ali things, enjoying the things
OF the world as God would have me 90. IN
its fullest and broadcast sense ] am now living
ia a period Of new generation. nearly all
nt my associates having passed away IN the
same county in which was born. l WAS never
before any court. either civil military. charged
with any violation OF law. I have been hon
cred by the people of my county. officially
nected with them for more than thirty years, In
1865 while stationed at Gregries farm. near
the city Of Petersburg, Governor William Smith,
then governor OF the State % Virginia, certified
70 the importance Of my being transferred from
military - civil duty q being learned In tho
laW) and to proceed at once 10 the county of
DinHiddie and assume the duties Of justice Of
the peace of the Sixth district, to which office
] had been unanimously elected by the voters
Of my said district
was member Of the last county court held
for the county Of Dinwiddie before the close
of the GNiI War The said court held
in Manson Methodist church the goth day
Of March. 1865 tthe courthouse being headquar-
ters of General Warren). The following JUS
tees presided, as shown by the records Will
liam TurnbUH tan uncle Of the Hon. Robert
Tarnbul3 Thomas H. Roisseau. Thomas &.
ltatn!ln, - j. /, Jones, j. II. 7. Darby, Will
O w. Chappen John w. Fraser. a. w. Cousins
John G. Griffin, William II. Lewis and L. 2.
Williamson. Tho minutes of the court are In
the Handwriting OF William II. Mann Cuow Gov
erhor MANN but William A. Adams was the
clerk OF the said court.
All of the justices being summoned to make
provisions fer the support of the wives and
children Of the soldiers there. on duty. am the
only member Of the said court who living to-
day. With all of these Fonors and advan-
tages. ! now, Ut this advanced age, realize that
am approaching the end. when the retollec-
tons and rcnorse of conscience, the awful con-
sequences incident to sin are ever before me-
In pla n RFfTT
remember that His grace IS sufficient for me.
Every violation or Gods law, in my old
age, Is ever before God forgive and
forget not so with man, he can never forget
When nearing the end, more wildly they are
before ME am OF the opinion that bat for
the pardoning power OF the atonement, and that
of the new birth. large portion OF the people
OF the civilized world tthose who know the
law OF God and refuse TO obey it, would be
demented
! might show how a trust IN the assistance
of an Almighty Being naturally produces pa
tience, hope, cheerfulness and all other dis
positions OF mind that alleviate those calamites
which We are not able to remove. The practice
Of this virtue administers great comfort TO the
mind Of In times of poverty and affllction
but most of all in the approaching hour OF
death. When the soul is lowering in the last
moments of its separation, when it is just en-
tering on another state Of existence.
should the whole frame of nature round me
break,
In ruin and confusion hurrd
/ unconcerned would hear the mighty crack
And stand secure amidst falling world"
For Gods word will stand to make our
lives more easy for us We are commanded IL
put our trust in Him who Is thus able TO re.
lieve and succor us; the divine goodness having
made such reliance duty. notwithstanding we
should have boon miserable had It been for
hidden us.
Though in the paths OF death I tread
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My steadfast heart shall fear i'll.
ri mo still
Thy friendly crook shall give nae aid
And guide through the dreadful shade"
August Q. 1911. THOMAS H. BOISSEAIJ