Biographic etchings of ministers and laymen of the Georgia conferences, Part 13

Author: Scott, William J
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Atlanta, The Foote & Davies co.
Number of Pages: 650


USA > Georgia > Biographic etchings of ministers and laymen of the Georgia conferences > Part 13


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JAMES JACKSON.


THE CHRISTIAN JURIST.


This eminentlayman was a lineal descendant of that far-famed governor of Georgia, who, Prome- theus-like, brought down fire from Heaven that he might consume the records of the memorable "Yazoo Fraud." For this act of disinterested patriotism and unswerving official integrity his memory will be honored by all true Georgians to the latest generation.


Chief Justice Jackson, during his lifetime, from his first entrance into political leadership and all through his judicial career, exhibited a moral cour- agenot unlike that of hisillustrious ancestor. As a


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statesman he won high rank in the halls of legisla- tion, but his crowning distinction was the purity of his private life and his incorruptible integrity as a judicial officer. For both these reasons he might be justly named the Sir Mathew Hale of the Georgia bench. To these general statements we subjoin these other details :


Nearly fifty years ago, this writer, then in his boyhood, met him for the first time during a session of the State legislature at Milledgeville.


He was at that time an aspirant for judicial honors, for which his friends made a vigorous and successful canvass in his behalf. He was backed by the solid Cobb and Jackson influence, which even then was well-nigh omnipotent in State affairs.


From that date he was conspicuous as a popular leader, and seldom failed to secure the suffrages of a handsome majority of his fellow- citizens.


Thoroughly educated, an orator of striking en- dowments, and better than all, a churchman de- voted to the doctrines and practices of old-time Methodism, he had on every occasion a large and influential following.


Early in life he wedded Miss Addie Mitchell, daughter of Hon. Walter H. Mitchell, a prominent state official. This beautiful and accomplished woman was the mother of his children and shared with him the trials and triumphs of his pro-


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fessional life until God called her to a better estate in the heavenly home. This domestic bereavement brought him into closer communion with God, and henceforward his religious life was adorned by the choicest gifts of the Holy Spirit.


On all proper occasions he was ready to testify for the Master, and his fervent appeals to sinners were characterized by a pathos and a power that made him not less useful as a lay preacher than he was renowned as a jurist.


The older members of First church, Atlanta, have not forgotten his class-meeting talks, and the echoes of his exhortations at the midweek prayer service still linger in the basement of the mother church.


The closing years of Chief Justice Jackson were spent on the bench of the supreme court, a branch of the public service to which he was emi- nently adapted by reason of taste, temperament and professional acquirements.


His death was regarded by his countrymen, especially by the legal fraternity, as a public ca- lamity.


His second wife, who survives him, was a sweet- spirited mother to the children of his first mar- riage, and did much to soothe and cheer him in the disease and suffering of his old age.


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W. R. HAMMOND.


The professional career of this gifted Methodist layman has but few parallels in the history of the Georgia judiciary.


Graduating at the State University at twenty- two years of age he not only carried off the highest honors of that institution, but secured the highest class mark ever attained by any student up to the time of his graduation. Entering at once on the study of the law in his father's office he made such rapid progress that in less than ten years he was a conspicuous figure at the Atlanta bar, with a lucrative practice.


Two years thereafter he was chosen by the State legislature to fill the unexpired term of Judge George Hillyer on the Atlanta circuit and at the en- suing election for the full term of four years. Such had been the brilliancy of his past ad- ministration that he was again elected by the legislature, practically without a dissenting or an opposing ballot, in the joint session of the general assembly.


Considering the weighty responsibility attached to the judgeship of the Atlanta circuit, this result was well-nigh without precedent in the judicial record of the commonwealth.


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At the close, however, of the first year of this second term of judicial service he felt constrained by the inadequacy of the salary, to retire from the position. Thereupon he resumed his law practice in connection with Hon. John I. Hall, one of the ablest jurists of Georgia, and at present assistant to the attorney general of the United States. The firm of Hall & Hammond is still, however, intact.


For a number of years Judge Hammond has been retained as leading counsel in some of the most important cases which have been adjudi- cated in the Atlanta courts. Not unfrequently, also, his arguments in the supreme court have been com- plimented by the presiding judges of that emi- nent tribunal. One instance of this sort occurred on the final hearing of the writ of error in the celebrated Cox case. The lower court had found the defendant guilty, and he was sentenced to a lite term of imprisonment. On the review of the case in. the supreme court Judge Hammond, by arrangement, appeared in the role of leading counsel. His argument was a notable one, so much so that he was profusely complimented by bench and bar. A majority of the court affirmed the decision of the court below, but Judge Warner delivered a very able and elaborate dissenting opinion. A distinguished member of the Atlanta bar states that Judge Hammond's speech was one of the most masterful to which he had ever listened, and that beyond question it elicited the dissent-


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ing opinion of Judge Warner, which opinion after- wards led to the pardoning of Mr. Cox by Gover- nor Stephens.


On more than one occasion Judge Warner is credibly reported to have said in private circles that the Hammond speech in the Cox case was equal to the best he ever heard in the supreme court.


This was a notable tribute from a high quarter, and yet it was fully merited, if our information is reliable.


We refer to this particular case for the reason that it awakened a wide public interest, and for the additional reason thatitinvolved great princi- ples of criminal jurisprudence.


In both these respects it deserves to rank with the memorable Crowninshield case in Massachu- setts, in which Mr. Webster won as many laurels as in his grand argument in the Dartmouth College case. This forensic achievement of Judge Ham- mond in the Cox case is alone sufficient to entitle him to very high consideration as a well-equipped and successful advocate.


In this pen picture of one of Atlanta's foremost jurists, we may not overlook the fact that Judge Hammond has, from his early manhood, been a student of standard literature. Few men are bet- ter versed in history, poetry and the best class of fiction. From these sources he has drawn inspira- tion for the lecture platform and the popular as-


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sembly. I was several years ago one of a large audience that heard, with great satisfaction and profit, a commencement address which he delivered at the LaGrange Female College on "Memory and Hope."


While the main drift of this admirable address was didactic, yet it was embellished with flights of thrilling oratory, and now and then enlivened with choice bits of the best humor. From time to time its delivery was punctuated by hearty ap- plause, showing that he was en rapport with his delighted audience. At another time he presented the Sophomore prizes at Emory College commence- ment, and from that address we have been permit- ted to make but a single brief extract. His well- chosen theme for the occasion was "The Condi- tions of Success in Public Speaking."


"The art of the orator, young gentlemen, con- sists chiefly in compelling the attention of an in- different or even unwilling hearer. Some of you, I am quite sure, have heard of the question which the bishop of London propounded to David Gar- rick, the Roscius of the British stage. 'How is it,' asked the bishop, 'that you who speak fiction can powerfully arouse the emotions of an audi- ence, while I, who speak to them of the weightest matters, can scarcely get their attention?' 'Be- cause,' was the reply, 'you speak truths as if it were fiction, while I speak fiction as if it were truth.' If the bishop had given as much study to


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the art of expression as the great actor had done, he might have found that his delighted audience would have heard him gladly.


"The manner of serving our thoughts to others may be likened somewhat to the manner of serv- ing a meal. Food may be of the best quality and rendered thoroughly digestible by suitable cooking, yet be served in such a way as not only not to tempt, but to be utterly repulsive. On the other hand it may be so daintily arranged and so deli- cately served as almost to compel the appetite of the weakest invalid.


"But I would not wish to be understood as un- duly emphasizing the mere external graces and embellishments of oratory. There is a deeper and more subtle element which enters into and exer- cises a controlling influence over the orator's man- ner which is far more important. Itisthat which gives him individuality, and that almost indefin- able thing which we call personal magnetism, by which he establishes a direct communication, be- tween his own spirit and that of his hearers. He thus comes into harmony with them. When thus catching the gleam of intelligent apprehension and the glow of responsive feeling in their faces, he gets an inspiration which enables him to rise to the loftiest and grandest heights of eloquence." These few terse sentences embody the whole art, and philosophy of elocution.


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Less than a year ago Judge Hammond delivered, during the session of the Southern Teachers' Asso- ciation in this city, an excellent address on "Moral Instruction in Primary Schools." Bv general consent it was considered one of the most edify - ing deliverances of that interesting occasion. During his long connection with the Atlanta Board of Education he has bestowed much thought on methods of teaching, and our public school system has been greatly benefited by his judicious counsels. In the outset of this sketch we made in- cidental reference to Judge Hammond's consecra- tion to Christian duty, and some enlargement on that phase of his character is not only allowable, but imperative.


For more than twenty years he has been a worthy office-bearer of Trinity church, and has al- ways been ready for sacrifices or service when the opportunity was offered.


Emerson says that the average Englishman, greatly honored Lord Palmerston, because on every Sabbath morning he was seen wending his way to church with his prayer-book under his arm. A visitor to Trinity Sunday-school will rarely miss the pleasant face of this Christian jurist, nor will he often find his pew vacant at the morning or evening services. This means much or little according as we measure life or estimate character from a religious or an infidel stand- point.


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WM. A. HEMPHILL.


Nearly thirty years ago, when stationed at First church in Athens, I heard this then young Confederate soldier often commended for his in- dustrious habits when at home, and his gallantry after he went to the battle-fields of Virginia.


He seems to have been from his earliest boyhood a promising lad, who did much to assist his aged parents in their declining years. He was recog- nized by the best citizens of his native town as destined to a life of enterprise and usefulness.


These anticipations were realized, when, after the war, heembarked in business in the city of Atlanta.


It was singularly fortunate that he conceived the project of founding the Atlanta Constitution, long since become one of the most prosperous journals of the South.


This is but one of the leading business schemes in which he has invested both money and labor.


He has seemed to appreciate and accept the ad- , vice of Mr. Wesley to his preachers "never be un- employed, and never triflingly employed." His working qualities are remarkable, and much of his time he does the labor of two or three men.


This, however, is but the business side of Brother Hemphill's character. Hecarries the same methods of activity into his churchmanship.


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He was a leading steward of Trinity church twenty-five years ago, and he is always consulted in the management of its financial affairs. For fourteen years he has been the superintendent of Trinity Sunday-school, which is much the largest in the city, and conducted with singular skill in all its departments. He is likewise active in the social meetings of the church, speaks well in the love- feast and conducts the prayer-meeting at times with great satisfaction to the pastor and congre- gation.


He has, in the progress of years, accumulated a handsome fortune, and has expended no little of his gains in public and private benefactions.


He made a single contribution of five thousand dollars to Emory College, and half that amount to the Barclay mission, one of the noblest charities of the Gate City.


Nor is he proportionately less liberal in judicious almsgiving.


The Atlanta Constitution, of which he is the financial manager, stands ready, in seasons of general depression and suffering, to do its full share for the relief of the poor of the city.


In all these respects Brother Hemphill has been mindful of the precept "to do good and to com- municate forget not."


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COL. W. W. BOYD.


My first knowledge of Bishop Andrew as the president of an Annual Conference was at Ameri- cus, in 1856.


As we came out of the Conference room at the close of the morning session, he remarked to me, "Brother Scott, a private word with you." We stepped aside in the churchyard and he said with a smile, "I am glad to be informed that your Mari- etta charge desire very much your return for the second year." Ireplied, "Bishop, I should be sorry to think that my official board had made any formal application of the sort, for I enjoined upon them to leave the whole matter in your hands." "I understand that," he said, "quite perfectly, but I re- ceived to-day from the Georgia Military Institute a petition signed by every cadet very respectfully asking for your re-appointment. It is," said he, "my first experience of the sort, and is gratifying to me." I subsequently learned that my excellent friend, Col. W. W. Boyd, the commissary of the In- stitute, was foremost in the movement.


This gentleman and his pious wife were mem- bers of my charge, the latter having been Miss Brem, of Charlotte, N. C.


Col. Boyd was a man of splendid physique, of liberal culture, and during the late civil war was


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greatly distinguished for his personal gallantry in some of the hardest campaigns of that four years' conflict.


He commanded the 19th Georgia regiment at- tached to the famous fighting legion of General William Phillips.


Col. Boyd was a South Carolinian by birth and a devoted friend of General Frank Caper, for a num- ber of years the able superintendent of the Georgia Military Institute. A large number of those who graduated under his tuition, amongst them Gen- eral P. M. B. Young and Col. John Milledge, made reputations during the war, both in the east and west. The McCleskey boys, of Athens, and Dr. , Todd, of Atlanta, were in the number of the jun- ior cadets that won their spurs at Resaca, Gris- woldville and Oconee bridge.


The last named Dr Todd, is a staunch Method- ist and leading physician of the Gate City, who carries in his "empty sleeve" the badge of his youthful bravery.


Col. Boyd did not linger many years after the war, but died, leaving behind his estimable wife.


His son, Wallace W. Boyd, is a prominent manu- facturer of Atlanta, and an official member of the First Presbyterian church, of that city.


He is a worthy son, with a noble lineage and a charming Christian household.


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GREEN B. HAYGOOD.


Green B. Haygood, Esq., was a lawyer of promi- nence at the Atlanta bar, when the present city was but a babe in the woods with undreamed of possibilities.


At the same time Brother Haygood was a Method- ist of the primitive type before the higher criticism had invaded the pulpit, or the pew had been in- fected by the spirit of worldliness and lostits relish for the fervent response of the amen corner.


Looked at from a phrenological standpoint, he combined the lymphatic and bilious tempera- ments, with a clear preponderance of the former, as indicated by his massive physical and mental structure. He was somewhat lacking in enthusi- asm, but his religious convictions were deep and abiding, and whether in storm or shine, he was true to his church, and a valiant champion of the right in things great and small, as he was enabled to see it.


As a jurist, he ranked with the foremost of his contemporaries, reaching his conclusions by a slow but sure process of reasoning.


He was always in sympathy with the masses, but as far removed from demagogism as the veriest patrician of the Coriolanus stripe. For this reason, mainly, he was seldom called to any official


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position outside of church affairs. In these ecclesi- astical matters he was always at the front in de- vising and executing schemes for the enlargement of the visible kingdom of Christ.


When Wesley Chapel was no longer adequate to the demands of Methodism in both North and South Atlanta, he.was one of the first to enlist in an effort to establish Trinity church. In this en- terprise he had the hearty co-operation of E. E. Rawson, Frank Richardson, Rev. Lewis Lawshe, and other leading southsiders. For some while the school-room of Mrs. Haygood, on McDonough street, was occupied for religious services. After- wards, precise date unknown, a building lot was purchased fronting on what is now Capitol square, and a brick church of antique style was erected, named Trinity, where the congregation worshiped for many years, steadily growing in wealth and numbers.


The outcome of this movement is now seen in the splendid edifice which adorns the junction of Whitehall street and Trinity avenue.


Brother Haygood was blessed in his domestic re- lations with a discreet,'pious wife, whose praise is known in both hemispheres through the worth and work of Bishop Haygood and that extraordinary woman, Miss Laura Havgood, of our Chinese mis- sion. This elect lady survived the husband of her youth, who went to his heavenly reward more


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than thirty years ago, while the nation was being stricken with the throes of a great revolution.


Brother Haygood died as he lived, without a blot on his name, leaving but little else than this as a heritage to his wife and children.


.


Y. L. G. HARRIS,


"THE MAN OF ROSS."


This distinguished Methodist layman was strik- ingly averse to newspaper notoriety.


As far as practicable he hid himself from public observation except when duty called him before the footlights. Then he was self-possessed, but never self-assertive, and impressed all classes by his admirable bearing and excellent judgment on all questions of general interest.


Of course, he was not free from mistakes, but they were usually on the side of a charity both Christly and courageous.


Now that he has gone to his heavenly rest and reward it is altogether proper that the press, secular and religious, should speak reverently and lovingly of his memory.


Indeed, his life and character furnish an object lesson for the careful study of a generation more appreciative of intellectual greatness than of moral


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goodness. It would, however, be a grave error to suppose that he was deficient in culture. His knowledge of books and men was both exact and extensive, and he had a stock of reserved force that availed him in every emergency of his long and chequered life.


In many respects he was not unlike Samuel Budgett, the Christian merchant of Bristol, who accumulated a princely fortune and whom an English writer has ranked with the great men of the present century.


We are not at present concerned with dates or events, but purpose to speak of the more striking traits of his character. Not the least of them was his methodical habits in both religion and busi- ness. This was one great secret of his life success.


During the fifty years that he was superinten- dent of the Sabbath-school, it is mathematically certain that except in sickness or necessary ab- sence from the city or intensely bad weather, he was never five minutes late in reaching the school. During the nearly thirty years that he was presi- dent of the Southern Mutual Insurance Company, that from a lowly beginning he built upinto an im- mense corporation, he was as punctually at his desk as the stroke of the University bell.


No one better understood the value of minutes and the equation of time.


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Of excellent social qualities, his engagements of that sort were never suffered to interfere with his business.


He read the Scriptures and said his family and private prayers by the clock. This was from no love for method for its own sake, but because he recognized its importance as a means of accom- plishing the work of the day.


Sir William Hamilton attributed his success as a philosopher to the stringency of his method, and Judge Harris has more than once said to me that without it his life would be a failure, so many and urgent were the demands on his time.


But there was another side to his character. His personal piety was of a high order, and through- out the fifty odd years of his church membership he enjoyed the utmost confidence of his brethren, amongst whom were such men as the Hulls, the Popes, the Carltons, the Cloptons and the Har- rises, of Athens.


Judge Harris had in an eminent degree a devo. tional spirit. He loved the sanctuary and its or- dinances as did David and the aged Simeon. Espe- cially did he love the prayer services, and for many years he was, in the observance of them, the ac- knowledged leader of the midweek prayer-meeting.


Few of our ablest ministers had a better gift of prayer. Like Asbury Hull, he was a model class- leader, and both of them, although not so desig- nated officially, were excellent lay-preachers.


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In the noonday prayer-meeting, of which Bro Harris was the main support, he very often exhib- ited rare ability as an expositor of the Scriptures.


But after all, his chief distinction lay in his abundant charity. He was a thorough Methodist, and yet he loved all the true disciples of the Mas- ter. Not a Christian in Athens of any denomina- tion but can testify to this fact. No feature of his character has attracted more attention than his liberal almsgiving and his large benefactions to churches and colleges. He built, single-handed, the first Southern Methodist church in China at a cost of several thousand dollars. From that date he went forward with increased liberality, building other churches, endowing colleges and public li- braries, until it has been estimated that in thelast thirty years of his life his contributions to public and private charities have aggregated consider- ably more than one hundred thousand dollars. There seemed to be no limit to his generosity. While he left an estate valued at one hundred thousand dollars, yet it will be probably found that he has made other bequests that have not been divulged.


Truly this is a noble record, not equaled in the history of Georgia. Having known him for sixty years, I can truthfully say that in all the relations of life he was an Israelite indeed in whom there was no guile.


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In the matter of his deeds of charity he was not less self-sacrificing than a noted layman whom Alexander Pope, in his "Moral Essays," has called "The Man of Ross," and of whom he has most beautifully sung in this wise:


"Who builds a church to God and not to fame, Will never mark the marble with his name; Go search it there, where to be born and die, Of rich and poor makes all the history."


DENNIS F. HAMMOND,


JURIST AND LAY PREACHER.


This widely-known gentleman was a native of South Carolina, having been born at Liberty Hill, in1819. He received a good classicaleducation at Cokesbury, a former educational center of Method- ism. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted to the bar at Newnan, Ga., and rose rapidly in the ranks of his profession.


In 1844 he married Miss Adeline Robinson, a daughter of Mr. John Robinson, a prosperous planter, who long resided near the present site of Tallapoosa, Ga.


For twelve or more years Judge Hammond was a most successful legal practitioner, traveling the circuit in the olden style, principally on horseback, his saddle-wallets stocked with briefs and law




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