1881.] -^l*^ [Phillips. 



profession, and his special gifts of eloquence and good taste on such occa- 

 sions, were always exhibited to great advantage. 



He delivered, however, some orations, which have been published, and 

 are all distinguished by a vigorous and elegant style,* clear thought and 

 polished judgment. 



Prominent in Mr. McCall's character were his kindliness, gentleness and 

 loving heart. As Judge Hare well remarked,f "he was one of those ex- 

 ceptional men whom nature seems to have formed for virtue, and who are 

 endowed by her with graces which others derive only from education, or 

 through the influences of philosophy and religion. His distinguishing 

 characteristics were singleness of purpose, an entire pui'ity of heart and life, 

 a gentleness that neither took nor gave offence ; a charity large enough to 

 embrace all mankind ; an instinctive aversion to whatever was low or base ; 

 an intuitive perception of the line of right. * » * * He was in short 

 one in whom the various attributes of goodness were so nicely blended in 

 a harmonious whole that he seemed less than he really was ; and it may be 

 said of him, as it was of Washington, that he would have been greater in 

 the world's eye had he been less virtuous." 



In his earliest life he had set before himself a standard of virtuous excel- 

 lence to which he proposed to attain, and below which he should never 

 descend. He wrote in his diary upon the nineteenth anniversary of his 

 birtliday, "The prospect is fair. May it never be clouded by dishonor or 

 the consciousness of having done an ill deed." 



Throughout all the trials, great and small of daily life, he remained true 

 to his principles, the ideal advocate, the man of honor, the accomplished 

 gentleman. 



He was a bold man, strong in the consciousness of rectitude, and not for 

 all the world could give, the smiles of friends, the pleasures of power, did 

 he ever for an instant hesitate to obey the dictates of his conscience, re- 

 gardless of the penalties to be paid for his independence. " He was faith- 

 ful to his convictions of truth when such fidelity cost dear. " 



It would not be proper that I should consume so much of the time of our 

 Society as would be really requisite to delineate Mr. McCall's life, and I 

 must close with this imperfect sketch of the main features of his career. 

 But I leave it with the less regret, knowing that to the accomplished 

 hand of Isaac Hazlehurst, the life-long friend of Mr. McCall, has been 

 entrusted by the Law Association, the duty of preparing a memorial 

 address, and I am sure that his eloquent pen will do justice to departed 

 worth ; that he will not fail to suitably commemorate 



" That best portion of a good man's life, 

 " His little, nameless, unrem.ernbered acts 

 " Of kindness and of love." 



* November 2!Jth, 1832. Annual discourse before the Historical Society of 

 Pennsylvania. 



January 4th, 1836. Oration before the Zelosophic Society of the University of 

 Pennsylvania. 



September 5th, 1838. A discourse before the Law Academj' of Philadelplii i. 



t Bar meeting held on November 4, 1880. 



