Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

348
ANNALS OF OUR ANCESTORS
Our father did not allow his Latin to grow rusty either.
Late in his life there appeared an editorial in one of the papers
of the Christian Church which was under the caption: "A
Latin Epistle." It speaks of the writer having received a
Latin greeting from our father during a large national convention
of the church in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is a
part of the editorial and the Latin greeting and translation:
This reveals Brother Watkins as one of those elderly gentlernen
who doesn't get old. He will never grow old inside if he does outside.
He is like a splendid big oak that began as a little twig and keeps
that twig for a young heart, even if centuries of exogenous layers
come around it in after life; but let the letter speak for itself.
"B. U. Watkinsius amato fratri Thomae Munnell, V. D. M.;
salve, gratia, misericordia et pax sunto tibi et omnibus fratribus
magni convocationis Indianapole. Convenire cum vobis nisi in
spiritu et precibus non possum. Uxor mittit amorem Christianum.
Vale."
Which being literally interpreted is: "B. U. Watkins to
the beloved Thomas Munnell, minister of the Word of God;
health, grace, mercy and peace be to you and to all the brethren
of the great convocation at Indianapohs. I am not able to be
with you except in spirit and in prayers. My wife sends
Christian love. Farewell."
Our father was widely loved by those he called his brethren.
In these annals I have related his history without any particular
embellishment, giving his cardinal virtues — honesty, purity,
and piety — as the legacy he has left to his descendants. He
taught us the value of truth by precept and example, and I
cannot escape the conviction that though dead he yet speaks
in his children and his children's children. Though all may
not recognize the fact, it seems to me that even the notable
success of the great business built up by our brother Joseph
has been brought about by the inherent honesty transmitted
from our father. I remember some years ago when this came
to me as a truth, that our father's works follow him; for although
he was not a great financier he had within himself
that fund of honesty which is the key to substantial success.