Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-10-26
BY ECU ESD

(BY REQUEsT.)
Concluding extract from Sermon preach
ed in St MichRl's Church, on the 10Th
Sunday after Trinity, October 22d, from
st. Matthew IA: II. "And his disciples
came and took up the body, and buried IL, and
aoeM and toll Jesus"
Seldom, if
ever, has it been my duty, in the provi-
dence of God, to address so many mourners
in Sion as have come hither thus morning to
ask her prayers and to receive her heavenly
consultations.
On the one hand, our aged fathers in the
Gospel, with his family, appear among US
in the habiliments of wo, accustomed by the
unexpected death of an only son and BROTH
er. TO you, my afflicted friends, let me APP
ply the thought which has been made the
subject of this discourse. Like the disciples
Of the deceased Baptist, 60 and carry your
troubles to Jesus. Spread them before Him,
as the only true source OF comfort in this
hour of your bereavement. From Him you
can obtain all the support which you need.
know how much less would have been
your affliction could your hands have ad-
administered to the last wants of your depart
ed relative; could you have been permit
ted to stand around his sick and dying bed,
to close his eyes in death, to commit his
departing spirit into the hands of God who
gave it, and to follow his body to its final
resting place. But He, who doesh all things
well, ordered otherwise. And while you
chasten the feelings of your hearts into the
resigned declaration, sit is the Lord" let
Jesus be the refuge and the hope Of your
souls. Though separated from him you
loved you must be till the resurrection morn
you shall then meet him where parting and
death are known no more forever. The
Lord keep you, and fill your souls with
abundant consolation: and comfort one
another with these things
On the other hand, we miss from these sa-
cred courts to day onef whose voice has
long beon prominent in our hallowed scrvi-
ces of prayer and praise. Why has he not
come! Has the inclemency Of the weather
prevented All, that was an excuse that
seldom prevailed with him. Is he sick,
Rn1 on a couch Of pain at home, as
was sometimes the case, is he mourning,
like as the hart desireth the water brooks,
so longeth my soul after thee, o God: my
soul hath desire and longing to enter into
the courts of tho Lord" Would to God,
that were all! But no. That faithful ser
want of Christ, that ardent lover of His
Church. has gone out from US forever
While we arc worshipping here below. in
our cold wayne is worshiPpng we trust, in
the temple above. in loud exalted strains
Of love and bliss, for an eternal Sabbath
And TO you, his deeply afflicted relatives,
must turn to utter a few words of comfor'.
But WHY need L! In his pious and excel
lent life. in the deep and wide felt respect
that has been shown for his worth, in all
his blessed memory, you nave much TO
dry up the tears Of this trying hour
Doubtless your sorrows would have been
less. could you have been with him in
his expiring moments, could you have heard
him speak of his spiritual hopes and joys.
could yon have listened TO his dying tcStI.
mony to Christ, could you have watched
the last CLEAN Of light which would have
shown flom his eye offaith. could you have
exchanged with him a few kind words of
parting and of farewell. But, tho this privi-
lage was denied you, you are permitted the
still greater privilege Of believing that. tho
death came as thief in the night, 1t found
him not asleep, not unpreparcd. He had at
tended to the things which belonged 70 his
leace during the season of health and for
many years had given proof of his piety by a
life Of faith, of holiness, of patience. and of
love. And, when his summons came,w we would
f:,in believe, he had naught to do but to
yield up his soul into the hands Of his Re-
dcemcr. o, brethren, sorrow not for such
friend, as others who have no hope. Go
from his grave to Jesus, and tell Him all
things. And may His Divine arms be
stretched around you and on His bosom
may you find that peace which passeth all
understanding, and that consolation which
the world can neither give nor take away.
alt is good for me that have been afilic-
ted" said the Psalmi.t; and how beautifully
was that principle illustrated in the case of
those bereavcd disciples alluded TO i'll the
text. By the death Of John they were
brought to Jesus. BY the loss of an earthly
friend and teacher, they gained heavenly
Master and Savior. Such are the ways of
Gods providence, brethren and if the dis
peRsations, which VIC have now been con-
sidcring. should have the effect to send one
soul to Christ that never went to Him before.
or to make single person who has before
trusted in Him cling to Him more closely
and to live to Him more nearly, verify we
shall have our reward. We shall obtain,
ms individuals and as Church, in spiritual
blessings more than is taken away from
our earthly store. Why then should we
murmur atthese vistations of the Almgh-
ty! Why should we complain, since they
come attended with so many benefits, if VIC
would but improve them Alright!
"Why lamen. departed friends,
Or shake at deaths alarms.
Deaths bat the servant Jesus sends
10 call rs to HIS arms 2?
REV. Truman Marsh, whose son. Moses Seymour
Marsh, died recently at Syracuse, New York.
tCapt Seth Landon.