Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-02-24

day he is rejoicing over the work he
wrought for the great Task Master IL
his first and only charge.
He was in the active discharge o
his duties, teaching the way of life anc
peace to the people, when his mission
suddenly terminated.
j have thus given you a brief genera
outline of what tho Lord has done for
our brother IN his church But mus
not omit TO mention that he received
grace 10 bear testimony for the Truth
As he was teacher of the Gospel, we
ought TO know the form of words he
tuaght, MS the utterance of his belief
He held TO the plenary inspiration
of the Scriptures; and believed then
to be the all-sufiicent rule of faith anc
practice. He taught the Divinity Of
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one only
living and true God. The fall of mar
in Adam as the federal head of the
race. The fact Of original sin. The
incarnation. life, death, resurrection
ascension and reign of the Son of God
His sacerGotal, regal and prophetical
Offices. Regeneration by the power
Of the Holy Ghost. Justification by
faith. Repentance for the remission
Of sin. Holy living. These articles
of Faith he received, together with
all that is logically involved in them
all related and dependent doctrines
in sentence, all that is comprised in
that formulary to which he nssonted
at ordination, he conformed 20 when
he instructed the people.
His theology was the theology OF
the standards of the Presbyterian
Church.
In ecclesiastical polity, he believed
the presbyterial form Of Church Gov
ernment approached nearest TO the
apostolical model.
In the forms of worship he practiccd
the simple, intelligible, scriptural
ritual of the church in which lie was
born and died.
We're we TO pause hero, and leave
you to reflect upon tho gifts and graces
we have mentioned, surely there would
be abundant cause for thanksgiving
TO God.
But let us likewise call to mind a
power he possessed to bless others and
receive a blessing. What a benefit
to him and 10 Won was the capacity
bestowed upon him TO give and receive
human affection to say nothing Of
the power TO reciprocatc Divine love
The love of wife the sweet, daily
increasing love of his child the love
Of father and mother and brother and
sister--hallowed life to himl His af-
fcction for you was n gift from heaven
to bless you, both us il went forth,
and in its sacred memories Not only
so, but the very reflex influence of
your attachment.to one so worthy. so
affectionate, so constant, 80 amiahle,
has proved, and in the undying infu.
encc Of the original impulses will
prove, a benefit forever.
| cannot tell you of the countless
blessings be has received-only God
knows tho sum of them. What he
has given ofcare, Of grace. of love, in
giving our brother being or the
earth, Ho only can reveal.
There is another thought express,
to afford whatever consolation may be
in il.
What is the significance Of human
life so brief as thisY The significance
of this life has its index in the honors
conferred, the chief being heirShip to
eternal life, and the Office of ambassa.
dor of heaven.
You have followed this brother
through life, and found him favored
with incstimable blessings. But YOU
must not forget that human life is
itself a boon. Christ became a man
and died for his brethren, that by faith
their lives might be hid with him in
God. 1t is not possible, except by
human birth, TO acquire saving In
terest in the benefits Of His atonement.
What is promised in the gospel is
pledged TO sinful men reclaimed by
grace To be heirs with the second
Adam, We must be the children of the
first am bold to say, therefore, that
life, in the human form of its maniies-
tation, is n gilt of God exceedingly
precious, andiull of tho hopes of glory,
TO them who use ii lawfully.
For this reason let us rejoice, that
he who is now dead lived subject to
the conditions of our race. He dc.
scendcd from Adam that he might live
in Christ. By birth he partook Of
fcsh and spirit here, that today he
might partake Of Christ's glory, where
flesh and blood cannot enter.
For all that God hath done for the
departed Tor priceless gifts His hand
so freely bestowed, We ought TO rejoice
with grcatioy Past merries on earth;
present benefits in heaven; future
glory in the kingdom Of God the un-
spcakable blessings ever increasing (;
the sure promises ever moro fully
realized the everlasting covenant
acquiring fresh signiiicancy in the
development of the mediatorial king
dom the era of grace now, for him,
past and the era of glory that has
only dawnod upoa him proclaim
"The Lord gave; blessed be the ramo
of tho Lord"
But when the Lord taketh away
shall we not also say, Blessed be his
name
When tho anguish of great calam-
ity comes upon US, let us not rebel
against Him. Shall He not do what
He plcascs with his own He who
has conferred so many benefits, with
such discriminating care, has not for.
gotten 10 exercise either His wisdom
or His love in the sad event we
deplorc.
feel In reference 10 Il like n
child who does not understand the
motives or ends of a Fathers action,
but who comes aud places his hand on
the Fathers knee, and looking into
his face, sees there the strong confirm
alton of his belief in the wisdom oI
the Fathers mind, and the tenderness
of the Father'sheart. So this day let
us come to God, and We will hear the
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