The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-29
DISCOURSE
In Com ma e ma Grafton az
M. W. BALDWIN,
DELIVERED IN
Calvary Church. Philadelphia.
On Sunday Evening, Oct. 26, 1865
BY REV. woLcOTr CALKINs.
DELIVERED IN

revive on the present occasion the painful ra
collections of q bereavement which you have
already deplored. We may leave to the unbe-
lieving world that leng bewildered anguish for
the departed which receives no consolation
from religion. This life s their only life; as its
loss is irreparable, their mourning for death
may well be without bounds; as they have ne
nope beyond the grave, time may obliterate,
but can never relieve their desolation. But tO
the Christian there Is not only time to weep.
but measure to tears. To restrain the Arst i'm.
pulses OF grief for such loss as we have suffered
would be doing violence to our nature; but to
cherish these feelings for the sake of that myss
terious luxury which dependency affords,
would be denial OF the sublimest truths of our
religion. The same graces of character which
cause us to regret the death of the righteous
invite us to rejoice In their felicity, and hope
for their resurrection and life everlasting,
Why then do come to open afresh the foun.
tains of your sorrow, after more than the forty
days have passed, which were appointed.of old
as the period to languish over the gravess
Because l can direct your thoughts now to those
evidences of Gods compassion in this bereaye.
ment which could not discern myself, much
less point out to you, through the veil Of our
first afliction. As we saw that venerable form
consigned to the dust, the sting of death was
too bitter the victory of the grave was too cruel
to endure reflections upon the principles of that
beautiful life. Or II we had spoken at length Of
his good deeds, then it would have been TO jus.
ify our tears for his loss, not to profit by his
example.
But ii Is in vain that we attempt to honor the
memory of the departed, II we do not calmly
consider and firmly follow the Christian grsces
which have adorned their conversation In this
world, and cheered their entrance to the next
with the hopes of an inheritance incorruptible,
undeHled, that fadeth not away.
1t is with these views and motives, my Chris.
tau friends, that shall endeavor to set before
you on this occasion the character of q man
who has risen from the obscurity of o common
laborer to be the head of one of the largest
manufacturing establishments in your city; who
is indebted for his success neither to artiice
nor fortune but to his own exertions alone.
VINO mas never .v;Slaied principle of honor
nor compromised precept of religion In any
business transaction; who has not suffered his
own prejudices nor his interests 10 turn him
aside from the path OF rectitude; who has
served the city and the State and the Church in
positions of immense responsibility. and IN
times OF periious excitement, and always In de-.
fence OF right principles, at personal sacri.
fee, who has received from the Fonn.
tain of infinite goodness disposition to
employ his fortune and influence in works
of illustrious bene6cence; and who has
distinguished himself beyond all who have ure.
ceded him in his own peculiar vocation. by
making it his unalterable purpose to fight his
good fight and finish his course while he was
alive, and not rely upon uncertain legscies to
make good the defects of halfconsecrated life.
The gracious providence of God has always
prepared those who are to serve Him in posi-
tions of great responsibility and peculiar diff
ncuJty, by an early training corresponding to
their destiny. The birth and education Of Nat
justed by Infinite Wisdom to the influence he
ives called to exert ON this community.
His business required thrift, industry, and
close economy; he was deprived of the support
untring exertions of devoted mother to repair
the loss of their fortunes through the misnian-
agement or unfaithfulness of the trustees Of the
family estate. The education which he needed
was not thorough scientific training, nor the
cultivation of literature, but q free and safe
development OF his own natural ingenuity. He
was suffered to follow the bent of his own mind,
to spend more time in mechanicaf contriyances
than in books while he was child, and in early
youth he was allowed to learn The trade whish he
preferred. Above all, his mission ON earth
curbed IN his first thoughtless encroachmeat
upon the rights of property and stern self
restraint. He was led by O. dreadful example
OF intemperance In one of his relations, TO en-
brace the rule of total abstinence from int0xi-
Gazing drinks as beverage through all his life.
And, above all, religious faith. He had the
memory of an excellent father and the instruc-
tons of devout mother to prepare bis heart
for the regenerating influences of God1 spirit
IN early manhood. Thus, thTouenout tue me
Of the boy and the aPPEe11s'ce, PP1 ,d, We nay nay now
stems TO his Subsequent works OF surprising
me- ask you 10 form fair estimate first of
al Of The value OF these mechanical lab0rg
know that some Will consider this beneath the
dignity of religious DISCOURSE Eminence in the
learned professions, when graced with Christian
charity is fitting themo for sacred eloquence.
When the heroic soldier falls on the field OF car
mage and victory, his dreadful work of deetruc.
ton Is crowned with impassioned eulOgy In the
presence OF applaudipg thousands. 10 the
gratitude OF rescued citizens and the imperisha-
1ie renown of history which prompted the sol
iiers panegyrlc In ancient hmes, Christian
'hetoric has added the noble and puissant
Inspirations Of immortal hopes. But the com.
when IL is said of successful artisan, thus and
hus he amassed wealth to do something more
Can ANYTHING be more honorable than faith
ul labor7 Is any man worthy to bring the.
ypress 10 deck the grave of our fallen friend
Who dares TO cast stigma upon honest toii
gith the hands, The proud citizens Of the
nclent republics might spuln the workman
unsrai course Of their departed ereac fer they
ere never true republios; they were aristocra-
eg OliQnrChtee. uVina In afIluanoa uDfvn the