Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/371

 Judge William BrockenHrovffk,

man's life shows that his mind instinctively turned to the " pole-star of truth," then is his image worthy to be set up that our young men mav learn this greatest of all the virtues greatest of all, for

" By the gods, it is not in the power of painting or of sculpture To fashion ought so divine as the fair form of truth. The creatures of their art may please the eye, Hut her sweet nature captivates the soul."

Have justice and mercy marked his career ? Great is the office of the judge. Divine is that justice which with equal balance weighs each man's merit and to each his true desert assigns. Worthy of all honor is he who, like Israel's great judge can 'call all men to wit- ness that of none has he taken aught, of none has he received any gift to blind his eyes therewith.' Yet

" The marshal's truncheon nor the judge's robe, Become them with one-half so good a grace As mercy does."

Justice is

" The attribute to awe and majesty. But earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice."

Noble is the heart in which they both reside. Worthy of all rev- erence, the character in which these virtues shine.

Has charity warmed a man's heart and opened his hand stretched out to aid the helpless, until " like a watered garden" he has fed them and "like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land " he has given them rest and refreshment lor the journey of life?

Has he so walked among his fellows that

' His pity has been as balm to heal their wounds, His mildness has allayed their swelling griefe, His mercy dried their water-flowing tears?'

If perchance a character is presented combining all these exalted qualities, then have we one of those whose memory is as a sweet savor that no wind of forgetfulness shall ever blow away then in- deed we who are passing away do but our duty to those who shall succeed us, if, by any act of ours, we may provoke their curiosity to enquire, and move them to loving study, when they know, why these walls bear witness to our estimate of the man.

Such a noble character is here represented, my friends, such a