religion and undefiled, is to visit the fatherless and widows, and keep himself unspotted from the world.  Thus, with all his conviction and devotion, there was nothing hard or fanatical in his feeling or conduct, and he held pleasant personal relations with men of every faith.  Few men indulged in so little harsh criticism of others, and he expressed censure or disapprobation by humorous indirection rather than by open accusation.  ‘We must not be too hard,’ he was fond of saying, ’it is so difficult to know all the circumstances.  If you should insist, for instance, that the use of tobacco is a sin, dear me! dear me!’

“Mr. Harper was a Whig during the days of that party, and a natural conservative.  But in politics he showed the same moderation and toleration.  ’Don’t try to drive men too roughly, my dear sir; it is much easier to draw than to push.’  He took no conspicuous or active part in politics, except in 1844, when he was elected Mayor of the city.  He was constantly asked to serve in Congress and in other public stations, but he steadily declined, saying, with a sly smile, that he preferred to stick to the business that he understood.

“To that business his heart and life were given.  Of late years its active cares had naturally fallen into the hands of his younger associates; but he never relaxed his interest and devotion.  ’While I was dressing,’ said a much younger neighbor, ’I used to see Mayor Harper coming out of his house to go down town, and felt ashamed of myself.  Early at the office, he opened and looked over the mail, and during the hours of the morning he passed from one room to another, his shrewd eye seeing every thing, and measuring men and work, chatting and jesting as he went.  But out of those shrewd eyes looked a kind and gentle heart.  He knew by name the men and women and children employed in the various parts of the great buildings, interested himself in their family stories, and often won a confidence that was never betrayed.  His charities, which were ample, were thus intelligent and effective, and poor men as well as women bent to kiss his calm, unchanged face as he lay in his coffin.”

To the very last, James Harper retained his physical and mental vigor, and was looked up to by all the members of the house as its brightest ornament.  To the last, he was one of the best known and most honored citizens of the great metropolis.  His great wealth had not ruffled the serenity of his spirit, or caused the slightest variation in his conduct.  To the last he was the Christian merchant, citizen, and father, offering to his children in himself a noble model by which to shape their lives.

It had been his custom at family prayers to ask of God protection from sudden death, but for some time before his death he ceased to do so.  His family noticed this, and one of them asked his reason for the omission.  He answered quietly, “The Lord knows best.”