The subject of this notice was born in Elbert County, Ga.,
June 24th, 1792, married Miss Elizabeth Fortson in 1819,
emigrated to Ala., in 1820, united with the Clinton Baptist
Church, 1935, and died at his residence in Greene Co., Ala. Feb.
15th, 1865, in the 72nd year of his age.
'Tis seldom the biographer is called on to print the life and
character of one so superior and extraordinary in every
particular. One in whom all the elements were so mixed, that
nature might stand up and say to all the world, "Behold a man!"
"Judge him by the right laid line,
Of truth, he truly will all styles observe,
Of wise, good, just a man both soul and nerve."
Col. Simeon Maxwell was highly endowed by nature. In person,
he was tall, stout and handsome, like the mountain cedar,
stately, majestic and attractive, and yet, like the forest oak,
sturdy, unbending, athletic, both in body and mind. His person
was commanding, his look authoritative. His movements were slow
and solemn, his gait and manners grave and heavy, yet, polished
and dignified. His conversation was chaste and chary, measured
and modified; his remarks plain, practical and judicious; his
words were apples of gold in pictures of silver -- arrows shed
from the bow of judgment, barbed with thought, winged with
wisdom and directed in the good of man and glory of God -- His
mind was of the strongest and most vigorous cast, and well
stored with useful knowledge.
He was slow in arriving at conclusions, because thought and
judgment, rather than passion predominated. hence, his
conclusions were correct, his deductions were clear, his conduct
decided. His opinions were valuable, his advice was sought in
all ordinary affairs, and specially on great occasions, there
was a happy blending of the lord, lion and lamb, a sweet
mingling of ?.
So that, he could be tenderly severe and fiercely kind as
occasion demanded. In every enterprise, courage and valor wrote
"vici" on his shield and "victory" on his banners. He stood at
the post of duty unshaken and unterrified, faithful 'neath the
brightest skies, fearless amid the blackest storms. Most jut,
most honest, most conscientious, most charitable, he was the
highest of man and noblest work of God. By the Creator he was
placed on a summit too lofty to stoop to mean things. -- Like an
eagle he soared in a region far above the clouds of wickedness
and ? mists of meanness, like a star marching boldly and
brightly on its path of purity and perfection.
"With aspect mild and elevated mien, Behold him seated on a
moment serene,
Above the fogs of ?. and passion's storm,
All the black cares, and tumults of this life,
Like harmless thunders breaking at his feet."
This truly good man, was still more exalted by the
endowments of grace, --He was not only a professor, but a
possessor of that divine alchemy which dignifies, justifies,
glorifies. He was an active, sterling member of the church, and
for years, one of its most faithful and efficient officers. He
was ready to every good work, always abounding in the work of
the Lord. His life was a pattern of good works, his example an
pyramid of light, set with gems of virtue and pearls of faith
and crowned with a diadem of goodness and righteousness. He
adorned the doctrines of godliness and a patient exhibition of
that grace, which makes life, life, and death the crystal gate
to Paradise, His loss cannot be replaced. As Elisha cried after
Elijah, so we would say, "O for thy mantle and a double portion
of thy spirit!"
His last hours were serene and tranquil.--He exhorted to obey
the mandates and walk in the footsteps of a precious Redeemer.
Then, bidding his family "good bye." he departed, saying:
"Happy, happy, it is triumph, it is more than triumph." "The
good man is perished out of the earth," let the evil be warned,
the cedar is fallen, let the fir tree tremble. In such a day as
this. the fall of a good man is like blotting an luminary from
heaven, darkness covers earth and earth revolved back into
chaos,
Some there are
By their good deed exalted, lofty minds,
And meditative authors of delight
And happiness, which to the end of time
Will live and spread and flourish.
Oak Grove. Fen. 1865 J.C.W.
"South Western Baptist" and "Christian Index" please copy.
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