The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-10

hoV against edcu OCuer, OUT against the
common foe" Like true apostles they
lived and labored together till the close
OF life, when in the providence of God,
within few days of each other they en-
tered upon their reward, to renew their
intercourse in the world of love. Their
spirit has descended to our own times,
and now, were minister in any denomi-
nation to proclaim from his pulpit AFRO
CANT and intolerant claims in behalf of
his own Church, l believe there is a pub
lie sentiment in this community that
would put him down and shut him up.
1t is quite possible to maintain the unity
Of the spirit in the bonds of peace with
out the slightest abatement of loyalty to
ones own doctrinal standards and forms
of worship, in accordance with the grand
old motto: SIN necessary things unity,
in doubtful things liberty, in all things
charity" This is the true catholic spirit
1t has well been said, Like the tribes of
Israel we may all encamp about the tab
ernacle of God-each under his own
standard-an when the ark advances,
all may move onward, terrible only to
the powers of darkness.
The lives of the three venerable men
whose departure we mourn afresh to-day
were practical commentaries on the beau
ty OF this Christian unity and all the
people who gathered in the churches
from which they were carried 10 their
burial, felt how comparatively unimpor-
tant were the points of difference between
them when contrasted with the vital
bonds which made them one in Christ
Jesus. AT one of these solemnities the
Baptist Church sat as chief mourner, the
Presbyterian at another, and the Metho-
dist at another, but all took their places
IN the circle Of the bereaved, and mingled
their tears together, and in bearing one
anothers burdens so fulfilled the law of
Christ.
2. But the remembrance of THE UN-
BROKEN CONTINUITY OF THE CHURCH OF
COP comes to us with consolatory power
in the midst of our griefat the fall of such
leaders of the militant host Men die, but
the Church lives on. If Moses and Aaron
are removed while Israel is yet marching
toward the land of promise, Joshua is
raised up to cnduct the remainder of the
march, and Samuel to lay the foundations
of order and justice, and David to con-
firm the people in their inheritance. The
laborers in the vineyard are thinned, but
the Lord of the vineyard summons others
to supply their places. The strong staff
is broken and the beautiful rod, but the
sceptre of the King of saints never falls
from the hand that yields it. The els
tern may be shattered, but the full foun-
tain is ever flowing. The under shep-
herd is snatched away, but the shepherd
and Bishop of souls yet remains to guard
and guide the flock. One by one the
golden candlesticks are taken away, but
the temple yet CLOVIS with the radiance
Of the shekinah. A great prophet as
cends in his chariot of fire, but his man
tie falls on another with double portion
of his spirit; and when death seems to
make the heritage of God desolate, the
ascription of the Church still sounds
LORD, Thou hast been our dwelling place
in all generations"
1t is true that the cause of God is some
times retarded and seems to recede when
the chosen instruments of its advance
ment are removed, but it will never fail
for want of agents, and never fall because
OF inherent weakness. Strong in the
might of God, it will recover the ground
it has lost, and advance to new conquests.
3. The third lesson of the hour is THE
GLORY OF OLD AGE WHEN HALLoWED BY
ACTIVE USEFULNESS TO THE END. There
are some secular callings in which men
may accomplish their work and rest from
their labors long before life ends But
the work of a minister of Christ admits
Of no such cessation. New fields are al
ways opening before him, visions of much
land yet to be possessed. His concep-
ton Of the magnitude of the task allotted
to him is always increasing. AS time
wears on he has an ever growing convic-
ton that the days are all too short for
the labors belonging to them. He re-
doubles his diligence, knowing that the
night cometh. His maturity of iudg-
ment and the rich stores of experience
he has gained, qualify him for still larger
measures of usefulness; so that the longer
he lives the more to him does life seem
worth living.
/ know Of few passages in all our religi-
Gus literature more impressive than those
which depict the cheerful and unremittinp
activity Of the venerable DR.. Achibald AL
exander, in the memoir Of him bequeathed
to the Church by one of his noble sons. In
a letter to DR.. Plumer he writes: "On this
day week | expect to enter my eightieth