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PROCP^EDlNCxS, 
 
 EESOLUTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS, 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE 
 
 HON. EDWARD J. HARDEN, 
 
 ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, AND PRESIDENT 
 OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 
 
 WHO 13 I E T) APRIL 1 O l li , l.S7;i. 
 
 2/ 
 
 - Cid Pudor et J^titio' soro/; ^ 
 
 J/icorriipta Fidai, nudaque Veritas 
 Qiiando ullum invenient parem f" 
 
 THK GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY : 
 •' JUNK, 1873. 
 
 PRINTED AT THE MORNING NEWS OFFICE. 
 

THIS :\ip:morial pamphlet 
 
 IS ISSrED rKDER AUTHORITY, AND BY DIRECTION, OF IHE GEORGIA HISTORICAL 
 
 SOCIETY, BY ITS COMMITTEE, (CONSISTING OF DR. R. D. ARNOLD, HON. 
 
 SOLOMON COHEN, WM. S. BOGART, ESQ., DR. .T. HARRISS, AND 
 
 HON. T. M. NORWOOD,) IN ORDER TO GATHER INTO 
 
 ONE, THE PROCEEDINGS AND RESOLUTIONS 
 
 OF VARIOUS PUBLIC BODIES, AND ALSO 
 
 SUCH PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS 
 
 AS CAME TO HAND, 
 
 C ( ) M M E M O R A T I V E 
 
 OF ITS 
 LATE LAMENTED PRESIDENT. 
 
 Hon. EDWARD J. HARDEN. 
 
From the Savannah Daily Advertiser, Siniday, Jiitli Ajiril. lK7:t. 
 
 DEATH OF HON. EDWARD J. HARDEN. 
 
 Our community was shocked on yesterday I>y the announce- 
 ment of the death of Jud^e Edward J. Harden, which event 
 occurred suddenly, at the Indian Springs, at a very early hour. 
 
 Judge Harden was one of the oldest and most prominent mem- 
 bers of the Savannah Bar. He was a genial and accomplished 
 gentleman, an humble Christian, and a most estimable citizen, 
 l)oth in public and private life. 
 
 He was born in the county of Bryan, on the 19th of November, 
 1813. Pursuing his education in that county, he came to Savan- 
 nah when quite a young man and accepted a teacher's place in 
 the Chatham Academy, then under the supervision of Professor 
 George White. He subsequently studied law, was admitted to 
 the Bar, and opened an ofKce in this city in 1834, since which 
 time he has resided here. 
 
 Judge Harden was at one time Judge of the City Court of Sa- 
 vannah. During the war he was Judge of the Confederate Court 
 for the District of Georgia, and at the time of his death occupied 
 the position of City Attorney. 
 
 After the decease of Bishop Ellidtt, Judge Harden was elected 
 to succeed him as President of the Georgia Historical Society. 
 
 He never mingled in political life, but devoted himself to the 
 practice of his profession, and the culture of his literary tastes. 
 The result of the latter has been given to the public in the shajDO 
 of a memorial of the life, character and services of Governor 
 George M. Troup. 
 
 On the 17th of November last, Judge Harden was attacked with 
 a carbuncle on his neck. After long sutiering, he rose from his 
 bed to find his system completely shattered b}' the attack. By 
 the advice of his physicians, he went a week since to the Indian 
 Springs in search of health and strength. Tidings from him 
 which gave hopes of speedy improvement, have been followed by 
 the announcement of his death. He leaves a widow and five 
 childieu, to whom in their alliiction the tenderest sympathies of 
 the whole community go forth. 
 
IN AlE:M<JRIAir. 
 
 From the Savauiiah Daily Republican. Sunday, iotli Aiivil, l«7:-l 
 
 JUDGE HARDEN. 
 
 BOH\ VriH XOVEMBER, IHV.i—DrKU 19/7/ M'RIL. l,S7:i. 
 
 The ])ainfnl intellif^ence reached Savaniiali yesterday morning 
 that Judge Harden suddenly died at Indian Springs. 
 
 The immediate cause of this unexpected calamity was not 
 stated in the brief telegram to his family announcing the sad 
 event. 
 
 On last Sunday night, Judge Harden left the city with his wife 
 to pass a few days in the interior for recreation and change, with 
 the hope that the tour would strengthen and invigorate his sys- 
 tem, after the long and protracted confinemeut of his recent 
 illness. He expected to return yesterday, improved and better 
 prepared to meet the duties of life; and in the inscrutable order 
 of things, it has transpired tliat just one day later than this 
 appointed time, his familj' and friends and the people of Savan- 
 nah are called upon in sorrow and in sadness to do the last 
 honors to the departed citizen and jui'ist 
 
 In last November, he was attacked with a carbuncle on the 
 neck, which confined hira to his bed until the middle of last 
 March, and these long months of sutt'ering and pain so ])rostrated 
 his physical energies and shattered his nervous system, that the 
 vital forces wei'e too enfeebled to rally from the shock. 
 
 Judge Edward Jenkins Harden was l)orn in Bryan county, on 
 the Medway river, the li)th day of November, 1818. When quite 
 a youth, he entered the arena of life as Assistant Teacher in the 
 C'hatham Academy, under the Rev. George White as Principal in 
 charge. Subsequently teaching in the counties of Bryan and 
 (llynn, he at the same time prosecuted the study of the law, and 
 in 1834 was admitted to the practice in Georgia. 
 
 Immediately opening an office in Savannah — the site of which 
 is now occupied l)y the Cnstom House, on Bull street — the young 
 attorney' applied himself with a zeal and earnestness to his pro- 
 fession which soon won him a prominent and enviable position 
 at the bar. 
 
 Before the war he was for a time judge of the City Court of 
 Savannah, and during the existence of the Southern Confederacy 
 was Confederate States Juilu'c for the district of Georgia. 
 
HON. EDWARP .]. HARDEN. 7 
 
 At the cessation of armed liof^tilities, be returned to his home 
 in the Forest City, from which he had been driven by the Federal 
 forces under Sherman, and resumed the practice of his profession, 
 forming with ( 'apt. S. Yates Jjevy the law tirni of Harden ^: Levy, 
 now as well known and as prominent as any law pai'tnershij) in 
 the State. For several years he was ('ity Attorney of Savannah, 
 and held the position at the time of his death. 
 
 During- his life, Judge Harden eschewed the allurements of a 
 political career, and devoted himself singly and with that marked 
 tidelity to the law% which that most jealous mistress demands in 
 the favorites she crowns with her best honors, and he was one of 
 these. 
 
 AVhile pursuing the inexhaustil)le researches of the profession, 
 Judge Harden, though like Judge Blackstone among the most 
 accomplished English lawyers, did not deny himself the rich 
 ])leasures of literature, and was a gleaner of the rarest and 
 amplest productions of classical fields ; and had worthily and 
 well long held the otHce of President of the Cleorgia Historical 
 Society. 
 
 Few men surpassed him in legal lore and learning ; few, in a 
 thorough and happy acquaintance with the great thoughts of the 
 great minds of the past; and none, in the amenities of social, 
 domestic and professional life. 
 
 While his family and Savannah mourn in his death, even at the 
 ripe age of nearly three score years, an irreparable loss, the bar 
 of Georgia and the whole State sadly unite in lamenting the 
 closing of a career which reflected honor upon the profession 
 and lustre upon the commonwealth. 
 
 The funeral services of Judge Harden will take place from the 
 First Presbyterian Church, of which he was a ruling elder, at 4 
 o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 Frniii tbe Savauiiali Daily i[(iniinK News. Mouday. 21st April, 187:i 
 
 THE HON. E. ./. HARDEN. 
 
 II I S I) E A T II A .V I) R V R I A L . 
 
 The intelligence of the sudden (h'aili of Judge E. J. Harden, 
 at Indian Sju'ings, reached this city on Saturday morning, and 
 
O IN MEMORIA^r. 
 
 occasioned genniue and lieartfelt sorrow thr<jug])out the entire 
 comnmnity, with which he had so lonof and favorably been iden- 
 titied. On the 17th of last November, Judge Harden was at- 
 tacked with a carbuncle on his neck, and was confined to his bed 
 for several months, but after severe suffering, which completely 
 prostrated his physical energies and shattered his nervous sys- 
 tem, he made his appearance again among his friends, but so 
 altered that many at first failed to recognize him. About a week 
 or ten days since he went to Indian Springs, in the hope of re- 
 gaining completely his health and strength, and the reports from 
 him which gave encouragement of sjjeedy recovery were quicklj' 
 followed by the announcement of his death. He leaves a wife 
 and five children, who in this hour of trouble have the warmest 
 sympathy of the community which loved and honored the de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Judge Harden was born in Bi-yan county, in 1818, and when 
 quite a young njan came to this city and entered life as a teacher 
 ill (Ihatham Academy, then under the superintendence of Prof. 
 Geo. White. Subsequently he devoted himself to the law, passed 
 a highly creditable examination, was admitted to the Bar, and in 
 IHIU opened an office in this city, where he has since continued 
 to reside. 
 
 He was at one time Judge of the City Court of Savannah, and 
 (hiring the war was Confederate States Judge for the District of 
 Cieorgia. At the close of hostilities he returned to the city, and 
 forming a copartnership with Capt. S. Yates Levy, resumed the 
 practice of his profession. He was subsequently elected City 
 Attorney, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of the 
 ])ul)lic up to the time of his death. 
 
 Judge Harden was no politician, and devoted himself exclu- 
 sively to his profession and the gratilication of his literary taste, 
 the result of the latter being seen in the memorial of the life, 
 character and services of Governor George M. Troup. After the 
 death of Bishop Elliott, Judge Harden was elected to succeed 
 him as President of the Georgia Historical Society. 
 
 He was no less loved and esteemed as a man than he was dis- 
 tinguished as a sound and able jurist. Witty, genial, accom- 
 plished, a thorough gentleman, there were few men as popular 
 in any circle as he whose demise we have here recorded, and his 
 nieiuDi'V will long be cherished most atVectionately and reveienlly 
 by tliose who knew him best. 
 
HON. EDWARD .T. HARDEN. 9 
 
 His funeral took place yesterday afternoon from the First Pres- 
 byterian church, of which he had long been an Elder. The re- 
 mains were borne from the late residence of the deceased to the 
 church about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. 
 
 The services were conducted by Rev. D. H. Porter, pastor, and 
 were of the most impressive character. The fuuei-al was very 
 largely attended by our most prominent citizens, and by the 
 members of the Georgia Historical Society. 
 
 From the Savannah Daily Advertiser, Sith April. 1873. 
 
 TU TBUT E OF R E S P E C T. 
 
 At the meeting of Council last night, his Honor Mayor Ander- 
 son, referred in feeling terms to the death of the late Judge 
 Edward J. Harden, and requested the Clerk to read the following 
 resolutions, which were adopted: 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove from among 
 us a citizen w^ell beloved and respected, and who has for many 
 years past occupied a position of high trust under the govern- 
 ment of this city; now be it 
 
 Bfxo/rrd, by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, 
 in Council assembled — 
 
 1st. That we have learned with deep sorrow and concern of 
 the death of the Hon. Edward J. Harden, lately the Corporation 
 Attorney, a prominent and useful citizen of this community, and 
 who for many years past has been a trusted and devoted servant 
 of the city. 
 
 2d. That in his death we recognize not only the loss of a 
 valuable citizen, but also of one who in his professional capacity 
 was invaluable to Council for his devotion, ability and fidelity to 
 the interests of Savannah. 
 
 8d. That outside of his relations with the City Government, 
 we recognize an integrity of life, and a purity of example, which 
 call for acknowledgment of Council and recommendation of so 
 bright an example to our citizens. 
 
 4th. 'Ihat a coi)y of these resolutions be furnished, with the 
 assurance of the deepest sympathy of Council, to the grief- 
 striken family of our deceased friend; and that they be pubhsheti 
 in the official proceedings of this meeting. 
 
10 TN MF.MORIAM. 
 
 From the Savamiah Daily M<iruiut( News, ■ilitli April. 1873. 
 OOMMl'NICATED. 
 
 T HE LA T E J U D G E HA B D EN 
 
 The death of Judge Harden will carry sorrow to tlie heart of 
 ever}' oue who knew the man. The writer of this knew him first 
 at the tender age of eight years, when he was pupil and the 
 Judge his preceptor. The attachment then formed for him has 
 lasted more than forty years, and will not cease as long as he 
 shall be spared. It was founded in the kindness of the man to a 
 helpless little boy, who found all others in the same connection 
 austere, if not severe. AV)oi;t the year 1S32, Chatham Academy 
 was in the zenith of its career. It numbered from two hundred 
 to two hundred and fifty students, and some six or seven assist- 
 ant teachers. Among these at one time was the late Hon. E. J. 
 Harden, then, of course, a very young man. Up to the time of 
 his coming, nothing could be more mournful to the writer than 
 the sound of the bell summoning the little fellows to enter into 
 that dark and dismal pit of a vestibule, which was in keeping 
 with the "blue bench," and the i<trap that reigned supreme up- 
 stairs. Then Solomon's maxim of "Spare the rod and spoil the 
 child," obtained almost everywhere. At tliis juncture, it was the 
 writer's good fortune to be transferred to the tutorage of young 
 Harden. He soon found him kind and considerate to all his 
 pupils, especially to those of tender years. His rule was in such 
 marked contrast with that of others, who looked solely to the 
 fears of the little tremblers, while his was all love and gentleness. 
 Time and distance soon interposed between ttie pupil and the 
 youthful ])receptor, and he knew nothing of his career. He read 
 from the papers that a lawyer in Savannah was named Harden, 
 ])ut it never occurred to him that he was his beloved teacher, 
 until thrown in contact with him as student or lawyer in after 
 years. Since then lie kept informed of his progress, and has had 
 ])usiness and social intercourse with him. Others knew as well, 
 oi- better than the writei", that the promise of the youth was even 
 more than sustained in his manhood at every stage. It was the 
 destiny of the writer to appear before him as a judge, and to lie 
 associated with him in professional enterprises. In these con- 
 nections, it was manifest that the kindness and justice of the 
 youth were enlarged and matured in the man. His native 
 
HON. KPWARD T. H VRPEN. 11 
 
 modesty was fully equal to his other excellent qualities of head 
 and heart. He was not vain of himself or hi\;i useful achieve- 
 ments, in professional or private life. As a consequence, there 
 was no one deputed to trumpet his fame. All the acts of his 
 very honorable and useful life stand upon their own merits. It 
 is known to but few, but the present Code of Georgia bears testi- 
 mony to his learning and industry. Many chapters on most im- 
 portant subjects in the body of the book, and aJI the laws in refer- 
 ence to the City of Savannah, are from his pen, and adojited by 
 the Commissioners. These, with his other achievements of a 
 professional and literary character, will endure, while the more 
 brilliant but meteoric fame of others will be forgotten. And as 
 long as a boy lives who went to school to him he will be loved, 
 and his children inculcated in the same divine attribute. It is 
 meet this should be so — for love was the law of his nature — not 
 occasional or htful, but constant and uniform — such as Timrod, 
 the Burns of the South, has depicted in one of his sonnets, 
 worthy of quotation he,re, and of universal dissemination: 
 
 Most men know love but as a part of life ; 
 
 They hide it in some corner of the breast. 
 
 Even from themselves : and only when they rest 
 
 In the brief pauses of that daily strife, 
 
 Wherewith the world miulit else be not so rife, 
 
 Th(\v draw it forth (as one draws forth a toy 
 
 To soothe some ardent kiss-exaeting boy). 
 
 And hold it up to sister, child or wife. 
 
 Ah, me I why may not love and life be one ? 
 
 Why walk we thus alone, when l)y our side 
 
 Love, like a visible flod, might be our guide? 
 
 How would tiie marts grow noble ! and the street 
 
 Worn like a dungeon tloor bj' weary feet, 
 
 Seen then like a golden court-wav of the sun I 
 
 IN MEM OBI AM. 
 
 Died, at the Indian Springs, April 19th, 1873, Hon. Edward 
 J. Harden, of this city. 
 
 ''The earth is jxiorer than it was, 
 
 A nol)le soul hath passed away, 
 'l"he keen bright intellect has fled, 
 
 Tlie form returned to clay. 
 And can no ]ov<' oi' friendshii) kee]) 
 Our dear ones from Death's icy sleej)?" 
 
12 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 We clino- closely to our earthly treasures, we clasp our frail, 
 weak arms around tliem ; but death is ever near, with unfolded 
 pinions, quivering for flight, ready to obey the mandate, and 
 snatch our idols from our arms. 
 
 Hon. E. J. Hai'den was a native of Bryan county, but removed 
 to this city in early manhood, where a life of usefulness bears 
 testimony to the integrity of his character. True Christianity 
 controlled his actions through life, and his Savior's last com- 
 mand, "Come uj) higher," found him ready; and with the words 
 of social converse on his lips, his spirit gently passed away. No 
 more will he fill positions of honor or of trust; no more will he 
 preside in our earthly courts; but in the court of Heaven he fills 
 the seat assigned him by the Ruler of the Universe. His place is 
 vacant in the Church and in the Sabbath School, and the last sad 
 tribute of the Scholars, when each one placed a floral oftering on 
 the casket that held his mortal remains, was indeed due the 
 memory of him who had taught them how to die. 
 
 "The memory of the just is blest." 
 
 Then leave the saint to sk^ep. 
 
 Nor sorrow o'er his loss. 
 Why should we wildly weep ? 
 
 He left on earth the cross, 
 And from the grave his dust shall rise, 
 In God's own iniaae in the skies. 
 
 FKIEND. 
 
 Savannah, April 29th, 187;i. 
 
 From the Savannah Republican. Sunday. 4tb May, 1873. 
 
 THE LATE HON. E. J. HAEDEN. 
 
 A memorial sermon will be preached this morning in the First 
 Presbyterian church, in Monterey square, by the Rev. Dr. D. H. 
 Porter, in commemoration of the life, character and death of Hon. 
 E. J. Harden, wlio held a high position in the church, and was 
 one of its most l»eloved officers. We give this public notice that 
 the many friends of the deceased may know and be present. 
 
HON. EDWARD J. HARDEN. 13 
 
 From the Savaunah Republican, Sunday, 1th May, 1873. 
 
 SUPERIOR COURT OF CHATHAM COUNTY. 
 
 There will be a meeting in the room of the Superior Court of 
 Chatham County, at half past nine o'clock Tuesday morning, to 
 receive the report of the committee appointed to prepare resolu- 
 tions in memory of the Hon. Edward J. Harden. The members 
 of the Bar are respectfully invited to attend. 
 
 From the Savannah Morning News, Monday, 5th May, 1873. 
 
 HON. E. J. HARDEN 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF A MEMORIAL UlSVOVRSK DELIVEHED IN THE FIRST PRESBY- 
 TERIAN CHURCH, MAY iTH, 1873. BY THE PASTOR. 
 
 I do not know how I can better respond to the suggestions of 
 this occasion than by calling your attention for a little while to 
 the 26th verse of the 13th chapter of Acts, "David, after he had 
 served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep." 
 Short as this record is, no man ever had left behind him a richer 
 biography; no marble monument ever bore a nobler epitaph, and 
 when we remember that it was uttered by the tongue of inspira- 
 tion, we are constrained to believe that the tribute to the memoi-y 
 of this minstrel monarch and sweet singer of Israel, is faithful to 
 facts in his case, which is more, perhaps, than can be said of some 
 of the glowing inscriptions which adorn many gorgeous 
 sepulchres. 
 
 It is said of this great and good man that he "served his own 
 generation;" the idea is, that the "will of God," the law of God, 
 was the rule or standard by which he conducted his life and 
 moulded his character, and that the glory of God was the motive 
 which prompted him to the service of his generation. With his 
 eye fixed upon this glory of God as the one great end to be 
 achieved, he went forth under the holy and divine impulse to 
 serve his generation and to do good to his fellow-men; that is to 
 
14 IN MEMOUl.VM. 
 
 sa}', ill devoting liiui«clf to the service of his generation and 
 laboring for the good of liis fellow-men, he made the will of God, 
 the ride and glory of (lod, the ultimate end of hi.s existence. It 
 is abundantly declared in Scripture (and reason will lead us to 
 the same conclusion) that the will of God is the only safe rule 
 ■which should direct and control our life, and that this rule, when 
 properly applied, will lead us to the glory of God as the ultimate 
 end of our being. Man was made to glorify God. xis the de- 
 pendent creature of His bounty, as one who cannot live or move, 
 or breathe, or think, without permission of divine will, the 
 highest and noblest end of his being is to love and serve, and 
 thereby glorify God; and when we remember the superior excel- 
 lence and glory of divine character, the natural obligation is sus- 
 tained by a moral force equally as strong, and the two together 
 bind us to duty in bonds inseparable. In illustration of this 
 point I need scarcely remark that to glorify God, or give glory to 
 God, is not to add anything to His essential glory — not to give 
 him something which He did not have before — He always was and 
 always will be infinitely blessed and glorious in His own adorable 
 perfections; when man is glorified it is by adding something to 
 him, but when God is glorified it is simply by making known or 
 revealing what He already is. His character and perfections. Tlie 
 more we know of the c real i ire, the more do we see his imperfec- 
 tion, frailty and sin, and he who is best aciiuainted with human 
 nature and has most diligently studied the character and history 
 of the human heart, is best disposed to exaggerate what is called 
 the "dignity and glor}' of man." 
 
 But it is quite co?itrary with respect to God. The more we 
 know of Him, the more disposed we shall be to worship and 
 adore His greatness and tremble at His holiness. Just in pro- 
 portion as we understand and ai)preciate His character and ap- 
 prehend His nature and perfections, in the same proportion shall 
 we be inclined to render Him that obedience and love which He 
 recjuires. To give glory to (iod, therefore, is simply to make 
 known irhaf God ii<, to reflect Hif^ glory and to reveal the excel- 
 lence of His character. It is in this way God is glorified by the 
 material universe. "The heavens declare the glory of (xod, and 
 the tirmament showeth His handiwork," because they are evi- 
 dences of His wisdom and power. It is in the same way the 
 people of (jod glorify Him, by re/lectiny His glory, by showing to 
 the world what (xod is, by raanifesiing, according to their measure 
 
HON. EDWAKD J. UAUDEN. 15 
 
 the glorious perfections of His character, hence that man gives 
 most glory to God who is most/Z/e God, who lives and labors 
 most in accordance with the will of God. And as His people are 
 moral and intelligent creatures, it therefore comes to pass, that 
 the degree of glory given to (rod by them is far greater than that 
 w^hich is given by the inanimate and irrational creation, for while 
 this latter does show forth the praises of our God — while His 
 name and glory are written in letters of light all over the starry 
 skies aljove us, and traced in syllables of beauty upon the tiowery 
 earth beneath us, yet there are some of His most blessed and 
 adorable attributes, some of the most lovely features of His 
 character which cannot be displayed by them; His holiness, and 
 justice, and grace, that grace which pardons the guilty and purities 
 the soul, could never be impressed upon senseless matter; these 
 must be displayed, if displayed at all, by moral, intelligent 
 creatures, and just as man is acted upon by these attributes, and 
 becomes the medium through which they are made known to His 
 fellows — ^just to that degree does he glorify God. Every believer, 
 therefore, every man who has been regenerated by the Spirit of 
 God becomes in a certain sense a revelation of God "an epistle 
 known and read of all men;"" he throws out upon others and back 
 to God as fi'om a rellectiug surface, the rays of that glory which 
 proceeded originally from God, and God takes pleasure in be- 
 holding His own perfections mirrored in the hearts and illustrated 
 in the lives of His people. "The Lord taketh pleasure in His 
 people, in them that face Him and hope in His mercy." It is 
 thus that we are to glorify God, the will of God becomes the rule of 
 our life, the glory of God the end of our existence, and we shall 
 be prepared to go forth as David did, according to the will of 
 God, to serve our generation, labormg for the good of our fellow- 
 men, and thus manifesting the second element, which enters into 
 the composition of a life and character such as God approves. It 
 is a noble and exalted piu'pose to live for tlie good of others ; it 
 is a blessed mission to make the world happier and better from our 
 living in it, a mission which the angels of Heaven might justly 
 envy, and which brought the Saviour into the world antl induced 
 Him to labor and suffer and die. In the presence of such a 
 spirit as that which prompted Jesus of Nazareth to despise the 
 shame and endure the Cross, in the light of His blessed and 
 glorious example, how miserable appears the spirit of the man 
 who lives and labors for nothing but him><e{f, whose aspirations 
 
IC) IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 never go beyond the narrow domain of his own individnahty, 
 Avhose whole hfe begins and centres and ends in himself and for 
 himself. Nay, brethren, we owe it to God, to ourselves and to 
 the world, to "serve our generation." No man has the right to 
 cut himself off from his fellows, and ignore the claims of the 
 world upon him. No man can do it without perverting the very 
 principles of his own nature, and defrauding the world and God 
 both of their just and righteous due. We are by nature social 
 beings, endowed with certain feelings and sympathies, and en- 
 vironed by certain wants and necessities, which lead us to form 
 associations and connections with others, of the strongest and 
 tenderest kind. The whole net work of society is so deftly woven, 
 that all men are bound together by ties of affection, or business, 
 or blood, and are transmitted to another and another until we 
 know not when vibration may cease. Every man has his measure 
 of influence, greater or less, according to circumstances, whether 
 he sways a sceptre or drives a plane; in the counting room or in 
 the cabinet; the shepherd driving his flock to the tields, or the 
 warrior leading the armies to battle — every man that lives exerts 
 some degree of influence in the world — if he moves at all he 
 must necessarily affect those that are about him, and that in- 
 fluence lives and works oftentimes long after man himself has 
 passed away and been forgotten. There is a double immortality 
 for every man — an immortality in the future, stretching far away 
 into the hidden depths of eternity, where an angel's wing cannot 
 follow it, and an immortality in the pad, living from one genera- 
 tion to another in the efiect of an evil or a useful life. Who of 
 us here to-day does not bear mark for good or evil, left upon him 
 by some hand long since mouldered into dust ? Who can esti- 
 mate the power of a single rrord or a single thought, when that 
 thought comes warm and glowing from the heart ? The thoughts 
 of men who lived long years ago are breathing still and working 
 mighty results in the history of the world; and words spoken far 
 back in the dimness of hoary antiquity are living still, and shall 
 never die. 
 
 I honestly believe that these principles were illustrated in 
 ;i large measure by the life and history of him whom we knew 
 so long and loved so well, and whom two weeks ago we laid to 
 his rest in the tomb. I think it can be truthfully said of him, 
 that after he had served his own generation by the will of God, 
 he fell on sleep, and in a conversation held with him but a few 
 
HON. KDWAED J. HARDEN. 17 
 
 weeks before his death, alluding to the possibility of sucli an 
 event, he begged that I should deliver no funeral discourse over 
 his remains — that I should have only the plain and simple service 
 for the dead, reading the 90th Psalm and loth chapter 1st Cor- 
 inthians — and that if anything at all were said, it should rather be 
 words of comfort to the loved ones left behind him. I religiously 
 complied with his request on that sad occasion, but have exercised 
 my pi'erogative as pastor on this occasion, and yield to my own 
 feelings and sense of propriety in making the service of this 
 morning tributary to his memory, as having been so long identi- 
 fied with the history of this church. 
 
 Judge Harden was no ordinary man — he was a man of mark — 
 he has left his impress upon the history of his times. It is not for 
 me to speak of his record at the bar and on the bench, in the line 
 of that noble pi'ofession whose sublime mission it is to defend the 
 right and expose the wrong. 
 
 His fellows, by whom he was regarded as "Frimu.s iiUer pares,'' 
 will see that his labors in this field of exalted service are not for- 
 gotten. _ I should like to dwell, if time permitted, upon his signal 
 success in the cultivation of literary pursuits. Rarely ever has a 
 man, so encumbered with professional and otlier duties, obtained 
 such excellence in this regard. He was regarded as authority on 
 all questions of ancient literature, while his mind was richly stored 
 with the best thoughts and purest language of the English clas- 
 sics. Without any appearance of pedantic display, his conver- 
 sation was exceedingly interesting and instructive to those whose 
 taste ran in the same direction. Now I come to speak of him in 
 a character upon which I love to dwell. I have never known a 
 more diligent student of the Bible. Its language was as familiar 
 to him as household words. He studied the Bible habitually, he 
 studied prayerfully, critically. There were very few men outside 
 of the ministerial profession more familiar with the letter and 
 spirit of it. He was thoroughly conversant with all the great 
 theological questions of the Church, from the earliest ages of its 
 history, and his pastor is in no small degree indebted to him for 
 instruction and information on these points. His mind, with the 
 analytic power and legal acumen, for wliich he was distinguished, 
 grasped the great fundamental principles of the doctrines of 
 grace with a tenacity that could not be weakened, and a con- 
 viction that could not be shaken. I well remember, some 
 years ago using an expression in the ordinary ministrations 
 2 
 
18 IN MEMOKIAM. 
 
 of the pulpit which seemed to take great hold of his mind, and 
 to which he afterwards often referred. Speaking of the justifica- 
 tion of the sinner before God and his dependence upon Christ, 
 the expression was that Christ, to whom we look as our substitute 
 and surety, was "legally righteous and personally holy," and 
 therefore, all sufficient to meet the case of any poor sinner that 
 ever fled to him for refuge — ^and not many months before his last 
 illness began he said to me, "my hope of salvation is in Christ 
 only — who is personally holy and legally righteous, and therefore 
 I can confidently trust him." He was b(jrn of a pious ancestry, 
 early brought under the influence of Godly examples, his young 
 mind was largely moulded in things intellectual and spiritual by 
 the learned and pious McWhir, who was so influential in turning 
 the early history of Southern Georgia into the channels of virtue 
 and religion. But it was not until the year 1845, that Judge 
 Harden made a public profession of religion, viuiting with this 
 chuj'ch, then under the pastoral care of Eev. J. B. Ross, who, with 
 the Elders that received him, Maxwell, Faries and Cummiug, 
 went before him to the Beautiful Land of Best. 
 
 In 1847 he was elected a ruling elder in this church and clerk 
 of the session, which positions he held to the day of his death, 
 besides being all the while faithful and diligent in caring for the 
 prayer-meeting and Sabbath school, and I think those of you 
 who were present here on the day of his burial, cannot soon forget 
 the beautiful and touching tribute paid to his memory by the 
 teachers a)id children of the school. It would not be seemly to 
 lift the veil which enclosed his family and domestic life, to which 
 I was ever so freely admitted, and in which he was so loved and 
 honored. Nor can I trust myself to speak of my own personal 
 relations to him. I can tell you about that elsewhere, but not 
 here and now. Judge Harden's last days were full of physical 
 pain and suffering, and yet borne with Christian patience. 
 
 Often and often again at the twilight hour it was my privilege 
 to bow at his bedside and join with him in prayer, and on every 
 occasion his expression was: "I am in the hands of God; He 
 will do what is best." This spirit characterized him to the last. 
 With all his learning and culture, with all his legal and scholastic 
 lore, his faith in Christ was that of a little child, and in one of 
 the last prayers he offered, at the Springs, whither he had gone 
 in the hope of regaining his health, his petition was that he might 
 be spared to return to the bosom of his family, but if not, God's 
 
HON". EDWARD J. HARDEN". 19 
 
 will be done; and so, with unfaltering faith in God, he yielded 
 up his mortal life, "having served his own generation, by the will 
 of God, he fell on sleep." How blest in life or in death is the 
 righteous man. 
 
 "He feeds in pastures large and fair, 
 
 Of love and truth divine — 
 Oh ! child of God, Oh, glory's heir, 
 
 How rich a lot is thine — 
 A hand almighty to defend. 
 
 An ear for every call. 
 An honored life, a peaceful end, 
 
 And Heaven to crown it all ! " 
 
 I cannot more appropriately close this service than by reading 
 the following paper, unanimously adopted by the Session of this 
 Church; a paper drawn up by one who for many years stood 
 side by side with our deceased friend in the work of the Church, 
 bearing with him the heat and burden of the day, with a fraternal 
 and Christian love which even the cold waters of death cannot 
 quench, but which shall he renewed in better and brighter scenes 
 hereafter : 
 
 IN 3IEM0RIAM—THE LATE JUDGE HARDEN. 
 
 At a meeting of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, 
 held on Saturday evening, the following paper, reported by a 
 committee at a previous meeting, was received and lananimously 
 adopted : 
 
 Again are we called upon to acknowledge the hand of death in 
 our midst, removing one of our niimber from time to eternity. 
 
 Our beloved Brother Elder, associate and friend, Hon. Edward 
 J. Harden, has gone to his tinal rest, leaving us to finish the 
 journey of life and discharge the duties allotted to us here untU 
 the summons shall come to us, and God grant that whenever it may 
 come we may be enabled to leave behind us the same joyful hope 
 that he has left of a "departure to be with Christ." 
 
 Judge Harden became a member of this church upon the pro- 
 fession of his faith in Jesus Christ, in September, 1845, and in 
 December, 1847, he was elected, ordained and installed a Kuling 
 Elder, and at the first meeting or session thereafter, in December 
 of same year, he was elected Clerk of Session, and continued to 
 discharge the duties of that office (until prevented by sickness a 
 few months past) in a manner remarkable for coi'rectness and 
 comprehensive brevity. 
 
20 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 For more than a quarter of a century he discharged the duties 
 of Ruling Elder with faithfulness and fideHty, and to the entire 
 satisfaction of his associates and the whole church. His eminent 
 legal attainments and highly cultivated mind iitted him especially 
 for the discharge of the duties of an officer in the Church. His 
 wise counsel and prudent advice have been eminently valuable 
 in promoting the interests of the Church, both spiritual and 
 temporal, in days that are past. His place in the Sanctuai-y and 
 the Prayer Meeting was rarely ever vacant. For man}' years he was 
 devoted to the interest of the Sunday School both as a teacher 
 and superintendent, and his memory will be cherished thei'e with 
 sincere affection both by teachers and scholars. 
 
 In his domestic and social relations, Judge Harden was pre- 
 eminent. Fevp men have been more deservedly honored and hp- 
 Joved in the family circle, and his death leaves a blank, not only 
 there but in the hearts of many a warmly attached friend, that 
 time can scarcely ever fill. In view of this sad bereavement, 
 be it 
 
 Beso/rrd, That in the death of our dearl}' beloved Brother Elder, 
 Hon. Edward J. Harden, we have sustained a loss, individually, 
 as a Session and as a Church, which the Great Head of the 
 Church alone can supply, and to Him we look to sanctify to us 
 this heavj- dispensation of His Divine Providence, and make it 
 the means of more earnest devotion to the w(5rk of our office, and 
 that He will make us the humble insti'uments in His hands of 
 building up the Church and promoting His Crlory. 
 
 BpudlvecJ, That we tender our n)ost cordial and heartfelt sym- 
 pathy to the family of our beloved brother, in this their hour of 
 deep affliction, under which God alone can sustain, console and 
 comfort them; and to Him we commend them, with our most 
 earnest prayers that the bright example they have had before 
 them may lead them to "a close walk with God,'" and when they, 
 too, depart, they may be united to him on that "blissful shore" 
 where there is no more parting. 
 
 Eeaolved, That a copy of this action be placed upon our 
 records, and that a certified copy be sent to the family of our de- 
 ceased brother; also that copies be sent to the city papers and 
 the Southern Preabi/terian for publication. 
 
HON. EDWARD J. HARDEN. 21 
 
 From the Savannah Morning News, Wednesday, 7th May, 187;-i. 
 
 THE SAVANNAH BAR. 
 
 ThlBUTE TO A DISTINGUISHEI) DECEASED Af EMBER. 
 
 A large meeting of the members of the Savannah Bar was held 
 yesterday, in pursuance of adjournment, in the Superior Court 
 room, at 9| o'clock. The committee appointed at the last meet- 
 ing oflfered, through their Chairman, Henry Williams, Esq., the 
 following as the 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE IN MEMORY OF EDWARD .1. HARDEN. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare and present to the Bai- 
 resolutions concerning the death of the late Judge Harden, re- 
 spectfully report the following: 
 
 The members of the Savannah Bar desire, upon this occasion, 
 to express in a few simple words the sorrow w hich they sincerely 
 feel for the loss of their friend and associate, the late Honorable 
 Edward J. Harden; and also their appreciation of his worth as a 
 lawyer and as a man. 
 
 Judge Harden, at the tiuie of his death, was one of the oldest, 
 members of our fraternity, and had, therefore, during his many 
 years of practice, become intimately associated, personally and 
 professionally, with all of us who now survive him, as well as 
 with many who have passed away. 
 
 His memory is linked with the recollections of numbers of our 
 Bar who entered upon professional life and labor nearly at the 
 same time with himself, while it is also closely connected with the 
 experience of our younger l)rethren who have, at more recent 
 dates, become associated with \\h. But, in exery point of contact, 
 without regard to age or professional position, the name of Judge 
 Harden will always suggest the reaily recognition of a generous 
 and kindly sympathy, of which he seemed, by common consent, 
 to be the centre and the exponent. 
 
 Without attemjjting any fulsome eulogy or immeasured praise 
 concerning the character and abilities of Judge Harden, which 
 his own modesty would, during his lifetime, have repelled and 
 disclaimed, we are certain that in all candor and truthfulness we 
 can oflt'er this well merited tiibute to his memory. 
 
 As a Judge, he was upright and just. As a counsellor, he was 
 
22 ' IN MEMORlA^r. 
 
 wise, prudent and safe. As an advocate and attorney, he was 
 earnest, zealous, faithful and stern in integrity. He was dis- 
 tinguished in the profession by his laborious industry', by his 
 great legal acquirements, and by his devotion to his duties and 
 to the interests of his clients. In literary attainments he was 
 a ripe and accurate scholar. 
 
 In his personal intercourse with the members of the Bar, and 
 with his fellow-citizens generally, he always manifested a genial 
 temper and an atfectionate disposition, which attracted to him 
 the friendship of all whom he had occasion to meet. 
 
 He was ever willing and ready to assist an}' member of the pro- 
 fession by his labor and advice. His extensive and varied legal 
 reading, together with his remarkable power of memory, enabled 
 him, at all times, to afford prompt and reliable counsel in a diffi- 
 cult case to any brother who needed help. 
 
 There is probably not a member of this Bar who has not, at 
 some time or other, received valuable aid from him in the pre- 
 paration or management of his causes. 
 
 His private life was universally acknowledged to have been 
 pure and virtuous. In truth, few men die who can carry, as we 
 believe he will, to the tribunal of the Almighty, the record of a 
 heart so free from guile and of a conscience so void of offense to- 
 wards God and towards man. 
 
 We shall miss him in our consultations and counsels; in the 
 forum, and in the daily habits of customary friendly intercourse. 
 
 We feel that his death has left a vacancy among us that cannot 
 easily be filled, and that the absence of his familiar form from the 
 places where we were wont to meet him, will long be a source of 
 Badness to us all. 
 
 The Committee suggest, for the consideration of this meeting, 
 the following resolutions : 
 
 1. Beftolvfd, That the foregoing expresses the sentiments of 
 the Savannah Bar upon the occasion of the death of the late 
 Hon. Edward J. Harden. 
 
 2. Besolved. That the Judge of the Superior Court of Chatham 
 county, and of the Circuit Court of the United States, be re- 
 quested to have these proceedings entered upon their respective 
 minutes. 
 
 3. Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be sent by the 
 
HON. EDWART) J. HARPEX. 23 
 
 Secretary of this meeting to the family of the deceased, and that 
 the same be furnished for publication to the gazettes of this city. 
 
 Henry Williams, 
 Geo. a. Mercer, 
 Alfred B. Smith, 
 John Bilbo, 
 
 Connnittee. 
 
 Savannah, May 6, 1873. 
 
 Upon the reading of the report, Hon. Julian Hartridge moved 
 that it be adopted as read, and that a copy be furnished the 
 United States Court to be recorded upon its minutes. The 
 motion was seconded by Hon. W. W Paine, and carried. 
 
 Henry R. Jackson, 
 
 Chairman. 
 Sam'l B. Adams, Secretary. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL 
 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 Georgia Historical Society's Rooms, 
 
 Armory Hall, 20th Apiil, 1873. 
 A called meeting of the Society was held to take action in 
 reference to the death of the President, Hon. E. J. Harden. Dr. 
 Charters, First Vice President, took the Chair, and W. W. Paine 
 was requested to act as Secretary. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Lancaster, a Committee of live was appointed 
 to report suitable resolutions lu relation to the death of our Into 
 President. The following gentlemen were appointed on that 
 committee: Dr. R. D. Arnold Hon. Solomon Cohen, Wm. S. 
 Bogart. Dr. J. Harriss and Hon. T. M. Norwood. 
 
 On motion of Dr. Harriss, the Society adjourned to attend in a 
 body the funeral of the late President. 
 
 AV. W. Paine, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 (teorgia Historical Society', ] 
 
 May 19th. 1873. I 
 
 An adjourned meeting of the Society was held this evening, to 
 
u 
 
 IN MEMOEIAM. 
 
 receive the report of the Coiumittee upon the cleath of our late 
 President, Hon. E. J. Harden, Dr. W. M. Charters in the Chair. 
 
 Dr. Arnold, Chairman of the Committee, then re.sd the follow- 
 ing 
 
 BEPOBT. 
 
 The Committee to Avhom was referred a resolution, adopted at 
 a called meeting of the Georgia Historical Society, held on the 
 20th April, to adopt suit ble resolutions on the death of the Hon. 
 E. J. Harden, late President of the Society, beg leave to report: 
 
 Death makes a void in every family, which is never entirely 
 tilled. When a man dies, who, in addition to his position as head 
 of a family, has occupied important trusts in a community, his 
 loss is felt by it, as well as the private family. Such was the case 
 in relation to him, whose death, which occurred on the 19th 
 April, 1873, we are now called on to deplore. Your committee 
 will not intrude on the sacredness of private grief. 
 
 An eminent member of the Bar, a learned Judge on the Bench, 
 his professional brethren have already laid a graceful and well 
 merited tribute upon his bier. A sincere Christian, for many 
 vears a presiding elder in the Presbyterian Church, his fellow- 
 members have borne testimony to the faithful performance of his 
 duties in that sphere. Indeed, a conscientious performance of 
 all duties was a part and parcel of his nature. 
 
 'J he affectionateness of his character, the kindness of his nature, 
 the geniality of his disposition, were strongly evidenced in a large 
 crowd of his Sunday School scholars who attended his obsequies 
 as mourners. 
 
 But our Society is connected with him by another important 
 trust which he long tilled amongst us. He was one of the mem- 
 bers of this Society at its tirst formation, in the spring of 1839. 
 And just here your committee wish to note the effect of early 
 training. It may be trite, but it is true, 
 
 'Tis education forms the common mind — 
 Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined. • 
 
 Born in Bryan county, in the year 1813, and raised there, he 
 had the good fortune to have in his family a man whose erudi- 
 tion as a classical scholar has never been surpassed — a man who 
 left his impress on several generations of our seaboard, which a 
 prolonged life enabled him to see, as the ripest of scholars, the best 
 
HON. EDWARD J. HARDEN. 25 
 
 of instructors of youth. The older portion of my hearers will 
 readily understand that I allude to Judge Harden's step-grand- 
 father, the venerable William McWhir, D.D. 
 
 The taste for classical learning thus implanted in the boy never 
 left the man. It shaped his early course, it adoi^ned his meridian 
 career, it gilded the sunset of his life. He determined to study 
 law, but as his means were limited, he was thrown upon his own 
 resources, and determined to complete his literary education by 
 teaching school, and at the same time accumulate means for his 
 legal one The first acquaintance of the Chairman of your Com- 
 mittee with Judge Harden, was formed in 1832, when he was 
 attending a school examination at the Chatham Academy, of 
 which the Rev. George White was the Principal, and in which 
 Judge Harden was an assistant teacher. In after life, lie con- 
 stantly referred to this first acquaintance, which Avas the first 
 link in the chain of friendship, which was broken b}' death 
 only. After this, he taught in Glynn and Bryan counties 
 until 1834, when he was admitted to the Bar. Since that period, 
 up to the time of his death, he resided constantly among us, and 
 you have seen him gradually conquer the highest honors of his 
 profession, and occupy the highest social, literary and religious 
 positions in this community. His literary taste and acquirements 
 made him take an active interest in the success of our Society, to 
 the present prosperity of which his zeal and intelligence so largely 
 contributed. He filled various important oflices in it, and at the 
 demise of the great and good Elliott, he was elected President, 
 which office he filled up to the time of his death. 
 
 In his personal relations with the world, all who knew him will 
 bear witness to his uniform courtesy, his geniality, and that 
 genuine wit which renders intercourse with our fellow-men so 
 attractive. 
 
 His acquaintance with English litei-ature was varied and exten- 
 sive; particularly was he noted as a Shakspearian scholar. He 
 always kept up his love for the classics, and few men whose lives 
 are occupied with the duties of an active j^rofession were his 
 superior in this department of knowledge. Enough has been 
 said to prove that Judge Harden was no ordinary man. 
 
 Be it Resolved by the Georgia Historival Society, That in the death 
 of Judge Harden, they have lost a valuable member of our com- 
 munity, a ripe scholar and a most efficient presiding officer; and 
 that they deeply deplore his loss, at an age which, under ordinary 
 
26 IX MEMOElA^t. 
 
 circumstances, promised more yeara of prolonged usefulness in 
 his various trusts in life. 
 
 Eesolved, That the sympathy of this Society be tendered to his 
 afflicted family, and that a copy of this Report be forwarded to 
 them; that it be spread upon the minutes of the Society, and be 
 published in the newspapers of the city. 
 
 K. D. Arnold, Chairman. 
 
 Savannah, May 19, 1873. 
 
 Upon motion to receive and adopt the Report of the Commit- 
 tee, Mr. Wm. S. Bogart made the following remarks: 
 
 Gentlemen of the Georgia Historical Society : 
 
 The loss of such a man as Judge Harden, our late President, 
 makes it eminently proper that we pay this tribute to his 
 character. Both as a member of this committee, and as a personal 
 friend, I desire to concur in these resolutions, exhibiting as they 
 do, in fitting language and with generous appreciation, the main 
 points of Judge Harden's character; and in doing so, if I may be 
 allowed, to say a few words expressive of my own esteem for him. 
 
 Judge Harden, you are told by every one, and we feel it to be 
 true, was no common man. Intellectiially, morally and socially, 
 he deserved all his reputation, and will bear to be studied. Men 
 are said to derive their mental traits from the mother rather than 
 the father. Of his father I knew nothing — he died, a young man, 
 over tifty years ago. I remember with what interest in visiting 
 the old homestead of his widow — the honored matron of a worthy 
 family — I read the inscription on his tomb, "Died May 5th, 1821" — 
 the very day of Napoleon Bonaparte's death, and now just past 
 its tifty-second anniversary. In Judge Harden's case I can well 
 believe the saying, for I knew his mother well, and she had many 
 of the traits of chai-acter which he possessed. His father's death, 
 when his son was less than eight years old, devolved on this ex- 
 cellent mother the care of a household of young children to be 
 reared and educated. And well did she perform the task. In 
 her reduced circumstances, it was impossible to send them away 
 from home, and for the want of a school near by, she employed 
 for many years a home tutor, and thus supplied the needs of her 
 own children and those of her neighbors. It is the best evidence 
 of the judgment, steady purpose and good management of Mrs. 
 Harden that she lived to train up her six children, honored and 
 respected, educated them far better than is usual even now in a 
 
hO\. EDWAriD I. HARDEN. 27 
 
 home school, aad retained all her life in possession the estate 
 where her short married life was spent, and where her children 
 were born. She died ten years ago, full of years, and full of the 
 love and reverence of her children, and of the respect and 
 attachment of her friends. I knew Mrs. Harden well, and I have 
 in possession many of her letters — which I greatly prize— written 
 in all the freedom of friendship, and full of humor and pleasantry 
 combined with solid good sense, and expressed with ease and 
 grace of composition — all of which qualities were inherited by 
 her son. 
 
 At the proper age, Judge Harden was sent to Sunbury to school, 
 and there he enjoyed the rare advantge of instruction by a 
 scholar, reared under the thorough training and discipline of a 
 European University. This gentleman was the Reverend Dr. 
 McWhii-, known to us all by reputation, who had married Judge 
 Harden's grandmother. Dr. McWhir had been invited to America 
 by General Washington, and for some time had taught a school 
 in Alexandria, Virginia. I have often heard the Judge speak with 
 great respect and gratitude of this old gentleman. He considered 
 him the most lejirned scholar and the best teacher (though withal 
 a very stern disciplinarian) that he had ever known; and the 
 instances he used to quote of the Doctor's readiness and fullness 
 of knowledge, especially in the classics, verify this opinion. To 
 him the Judge owed that scholastic knowledge which we all so 
 often admired. The Doctor had laid broad and deep the 
 foundation of his pupil's education, especially in Latin, and had 
 imbued him with such a taste and appreciation of its beauty and 
 value, that not the struggles of after life, nor the absorption of 
 professional business, nor the length of years, availed to make 
 him forget his earlj' teaching, nor to lose his interest in classical 
 studies. To that thorough and wise instruction, in which general 
 culture was based upon and grew up with technical knowledge, 
 we must ascribe that very taste for cultivated pursuits in Judge 
 Harden, which does not exist in many men of even more elaborate 
 education, because of defective eai'ly training. 
 
 How fond Judge Harden was of classical studies, how much 
 his mind ran in that line, we all know; for this was a favorite 
 subject of conversation, and filled his language with allusions to 
 the life and literature of the ancients, and enriched it with the 
 most pertinent quotations. His knowledge of these subjects was 
 both accurate and critical. He was authority — excellent authority 
 
28 IN ME?irORlAM. 
 
 for a non-professional "scholar — on most branches of polite 
 literature, on many historical questions, on poetical qiiotations, 
 and on a great variety of matters connected with the English 
 language, orthography and orthoepy particularly. 
 
 Had he been a man of leisure, not burdened with the cares of 
 a laborious profession, we have ample reason to know how he 
 would have employed it, by recalling what he has done, under 
 circumstances that would with most men have precluded all 
 literary effort. Nothing but a love for literary pursuits, and a 
 training that fitted him for them, could have decoyed a lawyer of 
 large practice from his business to the thankless task of writing 
 the life of the great State Rights Governor of (leorgia, or to take 
 up as a piece of by-play or mental I'ecreation the composition of a 
 short tour in neat and graceful Latin. 
 
 As indicative of the "ruling passion," I may state a fact that I 
 have learned within a few days. This vei*y winter, when he was 
 convalescing from his severe attack, he busied some of his leisure 
 hours, which otherwise would have been tedious, in translating 
 into accurate and elegant English the famous Preface to Livy's 
 History — the sixty lines of the original Latin, remarkable for 
 their conciseness and obscurity — and this paper, most probably 
 his last literary eiifbrt, written with his characteristic care and 
 neatness, is now the highly prized possession of one of the 
 members of this Society. 
 
 Equally illustrative of his classical taste, and of his pride in 
 the Historical Society, is his agencj' in the production of the 
 beautiful little volume written by Mr. Anthony Barclay on "Wilde's 
 Summer Rose." To Judge Harden is due the reproduction, to 
 gratify the taste of a new generation, of this famous so-called 
 plagiarism. Written at his request, dedicated to him as President 
 of the Historical Society, and put forth with a preface by himself, 
 he took a most lively interest in its publication, revised the 
 manuscript with all the affection of the writer himself, guai*ded it 
 very solicitously against typographical errors, iand by his taste 
 and scholarship, seconded by the printer's skill, seciired for the 
 Society a volume to be envied. Had Judge Harden done nothing 
 else to distinguish his Presidency, his agency in bringing into 
 existence this l)eautiful gem would entitle hiin to our lasting 
 gratitude. 
 
 Judge Harden was a man of most lively temperament. His 
 spirits were as buoyant as a child's, overflowing with ^ayety and 
 
HON. EDWAHD J. HARDEN. 29 
 
 wit, restrained only by unwillingness to hurt the feelings of 
 others. There was nothing vindictive in his vein of humor. He 
 loved to say witty things, for his mind overflowed with them, but 
 he never said them in harshness or in gall. Some may have 
 thought his habit of punning to be frivolous, or beneath his 
 dignity; but it was the overflow of a mind brimful of witty 
 conceits, Hike the streams from a foantain of sweet waters) and 
 the expression of a heart that loved social life and wished to see 
 others happy. 
 
 Judge Hard en's memory was wonderfully tenacious. It was 
 surprising to see the multitude of facts, incidents and anecdotes 
 he had stored up iji his mind, and how pleasantly and aptly he 
 could quote them. Whether practical incident, or moral truth, 
 or verbal expression, he used each and all with singular impres- 
 siveness and propriety. 
 
 The readiness, too, with which he grasped anything new was 
 also chax'acteristic. It needed no elaborate explanation, nor 
 many words, to give him the gist of a new subject. He saw the 
 point at once, and as quickly understood it. His mind in this 
 respect was equally versatile and flexible. 
 
 A flow of deeper feeling was in Jiidge Harden's heart than a 
 stranger would see. To a mere acquaintance he may have seemed 
 at times to trifle. His very volatilit}^ of mind may have led some 
 to think he had no real earnestness or warmth. But underneath 
 this outward gayety there flowed warm and gushing feelings of 
 affection, gentleness and delicacy, sentiment and devotion to 
 principle, that were not meant to be seen by the world; and I 
 have often thought that this outward pleasantry was put on to 
 hide these verj' treasures of the heart. 
 
 Men, particularly, are unwilling that the world shall see all the 
 tenderness of their nature, or look down into those depths where 
 are nursed the well springs of the affections. Hence, I believe 
 our lamented friend had an inner life of domestic affection, of 
 kindly sympathy and trusting friendship, that, covered up at 
 times b}' surface gayety and a little brusqueness of manner, it was 
 not the privilege of every one to behold. It is the pleasant duty 
 of us who knew him best to unveil this charming feature of his 
 character, and to give him the credit which he did not claim for 
 himself. 
 
 As a lawyer and a judge, I need say nothing. I am not 
 competent to estimate Judge Harden in these relations, nor is it 
 
30 IX MEMORIAM. 
 
 necessary. His brethren of the Bar have done him ample justice 
 in this respect. But as a friend, intimate and well known, I have 
 desired to offer to his memory my humble tribute, as to a man of 
 warm aijd sincere heart, of high integrity and personal honor, of 
 tender affection and true friendship, of generous impulses and 
 freedom from harshness; and as a man of trained intellect, 
 quickness of perception, large culture, and with a wealth — 
 alike of critical knowledge and general information. In these 
 respects I esteemed and valued him, and in these respects I feel 
 assured we shall all miss him. 
 
 On motion, the Society requested a copy of Mr. Bogart's remarks 
 to be entered on the minutes. 
 
 On motion of Dr. Charters, in the Chair, the Memorial 
 Committee was directed to have printed in pamphlet form, all the 
 proceedings and resolutions of various public bodies, with such 
 private communications as are obtainable, relative to the death 
 of Judge Harden. 
 
 The Society also appointed Messrs. \V. Grayson Mann, J. S. F. 
 Lancaster and John O. Ferrill a committee to report at the next 
 meeting on the probability of obtaining for our Hall a portrait of 
 Judge Harden. 
 
 The Society then adjourned. 
 
 Easton Yonge, Secretary. 
 
HON. EDTTAUD J. HARDEN. 31 
 
 The Committee are glad to append the following statement, 
 made by one of their number, which is interesting, as referring 
 to a critical period in Judge Harden's life, and highly honorable 
 to him a.s a citizen of Savannah : 
 
 CARD BY ONE OF THE COMMITTEE. 
 
 One incident in the life of Judge Harden is well worthy of 
 being recorded, as strongly evidencing the estimation in which he 
 was held by his fellow-citizens. 
 
 At the close of the war, Judge Harden returned to Savannah, 
 when he was arrested by the military aiithorities, and was about 
 being sent to Fort Piilaski. The writer of this card interposed 
 for the purpose of having him bailed; but a bond, with good 
 security, in the sum of one' hundred fhousand do1lnr><, was 
 demanded. The writer prepared the bond, and every name 
 signed as surety was voluntarily tendered — and indeed several 
 were refused the privilege of becoming his bail, simply because 
 there was no room to add another name. And when the bond 
 •was presented to the Provost Marshal, it represented a value of 
 over three hundred thousand dollars. 
 
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