Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-01-03
A SERMON.

AeV' IL ~ COpeldltu dt barton Lana
ing, Dee. 10Th, occasionsd By tie death
Of Edson I. Fair6rother.
Text-2d Tim, %, 3rd: Thou there
fore endure hardness as a good soldier OF
Jesus Christ"
The circumstances under which we
meet are of the most painfully interest
ing character, such as do not ordinarily
attend the burial of mortal We meet
to pay the last trbule Of respect for one
who in the vigor of youth fell victim
of death, while in the service of his
country. A fact that should lead all to
reflect upon the brevity and uncertainty
of human life. Indeed, uncertainty and
change are indelibly written upon all
things around US. Nothing is certain
but the dissolution of all earthly things
No substantial happiness can be derived
from the passions and fuctuating associ-
tions of this life. This fact should lead
US to the serious inquiry-Is there not a
better good, and an endearing substance
that will meet the demands of mans ma
ture How may that priceless pearl be
obtained The Apostle assured his son
Timothy that there is pearl that may
be received when the din Of war, and the
commotions of this world are over; and
it is to be secured by "warring good
warfare;" by enduring hardness as
"good soldier" He suggests that there
is an analogy between the traits Of char
acter, the hardships and the work Of the
soldier literally, and what all must be.
do and endure who engage in the great
warfare for eternal life. Allow me, then
to suggest some points for your conSid
Grafton.
l. The good soldier enters the field Of
conflict with the fact that he acts directly
in the face OF death. He may well cal
culate that the chances are against him.
He faces the cannon's mouth; he con-
fronts the drawn sword he hears the
chilling whistle of bullets; he sees hi,
comrades fall at his side he hears their
dying groans; he travels over their dead
bodies. Death, fearful and terrible.
stares him in the face. 1t is positively
sure that all who engage in the conflict,
of tins life will be overcome by the king
of terrors. Death will satisfy its claim,
upon all mankind.
Inspiration teaches that "by one man
sin entered into the world, and death by
sin and so death has passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned." 'In
Adam ali die" by one mans offense
death reigned by one" Every day al
fords demonstration that there is greaI
weakness in the physical system. All
are liable to decay, and will soon, yer!
soon realize the curse originally given.
shat "dust thou art, and unto dust shall
thou return The teeming millions Of
men have, in all ages, like an ever roll
ing river, passed on to the ocean Of eter
nifty. This fact presses strongly upo"
the Christian soldier. That point in life
will be the end of his warfare.
II. The good soldier will make all the
needful preparation to engage in the
conflict of life or death.
He would be a poor soldier who
should rush on to the battle field withou'
due consideration, unprepared to meet
potent enemy, fully armed aud equipped.
To be successful he takes the regimental
uniform; he secures the appropriate
arms, equipments and supplies; he en-
dures the hard mental conflict OF leaving
his temporal interests at home /; iorsak-
ing father, mother, brother and sister.
He tears himself away from the embrace
Of his wife and children; he sacrifices
all: his country is in peril and must oe
rescued he flies to the rescue, prepared
to engage the foe. 1t is fact capable
of demonstration, that mankind are moi
naturally prepared TO wage a successful |
conflict with their moral and spiritual
enemies. Neither are they qualified to
receive and enjoy the bliss of the re-
deemed in heaven. Mans moral nature
is depraved, and his life corrupted by
vice aud sin. They must be morally
pure if they would enjoy the bliss of a
holy Heaven. Man is not right with
himself, being often his own worst enemy.
He debases and ruins himself by the in
diligence of the vile passions of bis heart.
lie contracts habits ruinouS TO health.
destructive to life, and of the most de-
moralizing tendency. He is not right
with his feliow-men enmity, hate. acri-
mony, envy and covetousness, revenge,
all rankle in his bosom. There was a
murderer in the first human family.
What is the history of the world epito
mized? 1t is war, fighting, commotion,
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