As was well remarked, by the Rev. J. O. Murray, in an address delivered at the funeral of Mr. Lord, Religion, indeed, owes a debt to the legal profession-the pulpit to the bar-which should be readily acknowledged; not only as the high-minded and eminent jurist keeps before the mind of men the great idea of law-a binding moral force, which the very word religion in its etymology suggests; but as such a man helps to preserve the true order and stability of society, in which Christian institutions have their best growth."

This sketch cannot be more appropriately closed than by adopting the following language of one who prepared a truthful memorial of Mr. Lord, soon after his death:

"His Christian character was one of mature growth, such as results from a union of warm feelings with broad and enlightened views. He took almost equal pleasure in devotional books and in those which expounded the theoretical doctrines of Christianity, and thus while his emotions were always quick and glowing, he was also ever prepared to defend his faith with solid arguments. The inevitable absorp tion of his time in his professional pursuits prevented him from taking a very active part in the current benevolent and religious enterprises of his day; but, whenever an emergency arose in which his practical wisdom, or his unflinching courage in opposing error could avail the cause of truth, he stood always ready-and was often called upon to do his part. And on all such occasions he brought to the work a spirit of meekness and moderation which calmed him even in the heats of controversy. He never forgot that while good men might, and often must, differ in their views, they should never give way to bitter wranglings, nor lose sight of the truth in the pride of selfassertion. And thus his counsels were not only wise but safe; and his loss was felt in many quarters

where the weight of his influence had been relied upon in every time of trouble and perplexity.

"For several years before his death, there had been indistinct threatenings of paralysis which justly alarmed the members of his family, and which led him reluctantly but gradually to withdraw from his much loved profession. He was not wholly insensible to their warnings, but he possessed a wonderful faculty of refusing to dwell upon evils that he could not avert, and he succeeded in maintaining his cheerfulness in spite of many dark forebodings. But his malady made steady though measured approaches, and he himself doubtless soon began to realize, what had been from the first apparent to all around him, that his disease was a fatal one, and that the final issue could not long be delayed.

"Under these circumstances, his spirit became, if possible, more subdued and gentle, and the graces of his Christian character gathered even greater luster than before. The summer of 1867, which preceded his death, was one of great anxiety to his family, and they entered upon the winter with sad anticipations of coming sorrow. All went well, however, until the new year had begun-a year that to others was to bring its completed months of checkered joys or sorrows, but only a few short days of suffering to him. A trifling professional effort, made early in January, which in his years of vigor would never have stirred his pulse or left a trace of weariness upon his frame, appeared to give a new impetus to his then slumbering disease, and from that time his system seemed to lose its balance, and his bodily functions began to fail. It was a most painful thing for those who so deeply loved him, to see this physical change come over him, while his mental powers, with all their acute perceptions, remained untouched. But his own courage did not desert him, for it was founded on never-failing supports. He was deeply affected at times by thoughts which he could not entirely drive away, but he fell

back upon the consolations of religion, and they upheld him. Those who gathered with him at family prayers, one Sunday evening but a few weeks before his death, will never forget with what a subdued pathos he read and remarked upon the beauty of those verses of the seventy-first Psalm :

"Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

"Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not.'

"They were plainly passages which had been often in his mind of late, and the force of which he felt most deeply as his years seemed drawing near their end.

"It would seem almost a desecration to dwell much upon the closing scenes of his life. The deep experiences and trying struggles which, even for the pure and good, hang around the hour of parting from loved ones on earth, are too sacred to be held up to the gaze of any but those who have perforce participated in the sorrow, and whose memories can best recall to them those mournful scenes. But, even were we to lift the curtain for a moment upon any part of that sad month which preceded his death, we should find him always, as it were, in a hallowed atmosphere, surrounded with all the truest affection that faithful hearts could bestow, and upheld by Christian consolations and Christian hopes. The dreaded hour came at last. Up to within a few days of the final moment his mind was clear, and he was able to communicate with those who hung around his bedside. But, as the last hour drew near, his faculties began to lose their power, and consciousness succumbed. Yet, when the change came upon him, a placid calm seemed to steal over his features, and peace and rest were plainly written there. He was in a great measure spared the dreadful agonies of mind and body which so often accompany his disease, and at the last, life seemed to

sink away from him as quietly as the sands drop through an hour-glass.

"On the morning of March 4th, 1868, it was apparent that that day would be his last. All remedies had lost their power, and nought remained but to await, in patient resignation, the long-apprehended moment. Once in the early forenoon he sank very low, but again revived to nearly his former strength, and continued through the hours of daylight with but little change, except that his respirations grew gradually quicker and fainter. At last the night came on, spreading its curtain across the sky, and casting its shadows on that upper room, where loving hearts were throbbing in silence at the thought of the long parting. A little group, where none were absent whom he would have wished to see could his eyes have opened, nor any present who could not call him 'husband,'

-'father'-sat, sad and sorrowful, within the sound of his short, quick breathings, as he lay motionless upon his couch. From time to time one of the number would approach the bed to gaze once more upon his serene but pallid face, or, in helpless affection, to render some service which it was hoped might give him some relief; but it was evident that all earthly help was unavailing, and that the King of Terrors was at hand. At about 9 o'clock a few convulsive gasps gave signal that the end was near. Quickly and silently the little circle closed around him; and then, when all was hushed and still, save the sobbing, which he could not hear, he gave one struggle more, and breathed his last, surrounded by all whom he held most dear upon earth, and whom he most would wish to meet in Heaven.

"Death found him well prepared. His peace had long been made with God; and when the summons came, it was to call him from a life of useful toil below to an eternal rest above."

B. DAVIS NOXON.

Born at Poughkeepsie, in 1788.-Obtains the Rudiments of his Education at a Common School.-Enters Poughkeepsie Academy.-Completes his Classical Course and Commences the Study of Law.-Called to the Bar.-Removes to Marcellus and Commences his Practice.-His Legal Business.-His Opponents at the Bar.Their Sagacity.-Noxon Compelled to use every Exertion to Sustain Himself against their Attacks.-Able at Last to Resist and Return the Attack.-The Attachment Case.-The Defective Affidavit.-How Noxon Sustained it.-Bridges an Error and brings his Client safely over it.-Condition of the Laws and the State Reports when he Commenced his Practice.-His Love of Fishing and Hunting. It brings him before the Court.-His Fishing Excursion Announced by his Boots.-The Preferred Cause.-Judge Monell at the Ithaca Circuit.— Characteristics of Noxon Exhibited by an Amusing Incident in his Early Practice. He Removes to Onondaga Hill.-His Compeers at the Bar.-Removes to Syracuse. James R. Lawrence.-E. W. Leavenworth.-Noxon forms a partnership with him.-Noxon as a Legal Speaker.-Compared with other Speakers.His Knowledge of Land Titles.-The Important Trials in which he was Engaged.— His Social Qualities.-His Character as a Private Citizen.-Address of Honorable C. B. Sedgwick before the Members of the Onondaga Bar, after the Death of Mr. Noxon.

B. DAVIS NOXON possessed one of those original, active, reflective minds which have a tendency to superiority. Although he seemed to be naturally constituted for the legal profession, his mental endowments would have enabled him in almost any avocation to pass the bounds of mediocrity. Bold, ardent, fond of investigation, entering deeply into fundamental principles, a ready reader of character, with a forcible and pleasing eloquence, he was admirably capacitated to attain a high position at the bar by the force of his character and his intellect, for upon these alone he was compelled to rely for advancement.

He was born at Poughkeepsie in the year 1788, where he resided until he was admitted to the bar. He obtained the rudiments of his education at a com