The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-01-05
FUNERAL SERMON
Delivered by the Rev. J. D. Shirley, at
Beth Eden Church, st'rday, Dec 26th,
1880, on the Death of Mrs.
Elizabeth A. Sigh.
The Blessed Dead.

REV. II: l3.-"BleSsed are the
dead lthich lie in the Lord"
How uncertain are human affairs
Yea, how uncertain is human life !
Men just ready to start OF loug
journey have suddenly been called to
pass through the valley ami shadow
Of death. From marriage rites We are
sometimes summoned to attend fuuc-
raj soleiuuities. From the giddy
dance and the widest revclrics, the
devotees of pleasure have been sudden.
ly checked by the unexpected resscn-
ger Of death. Man, just ready to en-
ter nc" dwelling upon which he has
bestowed much treasure aud toll, has
been called to the silent house of the
dead. A pastor, sitting at his desk,
preparing a message for his people,
appropriate to the time of Advent
the Church's festive seasou-is suw-
moucd to make ready for funeral
sermon. a family, in ths enjoyment
Of its accustomed blessings aHd privi
leges, and busy about its domestic
affairs, is suddenly shocked by the au
uouncemeut that the wife and mother
is dead Thus sye We reminded that
Gar days on the earth arc as shadow,
aud there is none a6iding.' My days
are swifter than post they flee
away 'They are passed away as the
swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth
to the prey 'Mau that is born Of a
woman is of few days and full of trou
Bile. He cometh forth like flower,
and is cut down: he heeth also as
shadow, and continueth not AS for
man, his days are as grass as flower
OF the field, so he Aourisheth. For
the wind passoth over it, and it is
gone; aud the place thereof shall
know it no more The glaes with
ereth, the flower fadeth: because the
spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it:
surely the people is grass.
Such are the teachings of the Holy
Scriptures, and these solemn truths
are confirmed by our own observation.
Wills: death is certain, and appointed
uDto every man, it is frequently with
out wslnirg, and when i, is least ex,
pccted. Man also knowcth not bis
tiue: as the fishes that are taken in
an evil net, and as tue birds that are
caught in the snare so arc the sons
of men shared in al evil time, when
it fallsth suadenly upon them
Aud what Important lesson does
this certainty Of death, and uncertain.
ty Of life teach usS Whilst every man
should be actu4ted by deep and set
tied principle Of moral responsibility
to God-whilst every man should serve
God from q seuse of duty aud holy
obligation to his Maker and Redeeuer,
and not from a sense Of fear-the ab-
solute uncertainty Of life, (and hence
the absolute uncertainty of the further
extension Of our probationary state)
should impress upon every soul the
absolute importance of an immediate
and constant readiness for
death. If We know not at what mo-
mert the Master uay call US to au
account of our stewardship, it be-
hooves US to b. in state of readiness
aud waschfulness that We be not un-
prepar~d-yea, that we be not over
whcl.uad with amazemcnt aud fear-
when We are summoned into His au-
gust and holy presence With the
means Of grace, and the profers Of
salvation sounding in his ears, 10 man
can justify himself in state Of spirit
ual uncertainty. In the plenitude of
His mercy aud grace, God gives US
this life that We may lay hold on eter-
nal lifc-yea, that We may lay hold of
Jesus Christ by faith, and thus appro-
pirate to ourselves that salvation which
He purchased for US with His suffer
ngs, death and resurrection.
How beautifully Was this idea illus
rated in the life of our dear departed
sister. Unlike muititudes of others
who put of attention to their spiritual
Ind eternal well being. the service Of
Sod was matter of duty-a thing of
:eality-a conscientious work with
ler. Religion with her was sot mere.
: professioD-a name. She was
animated with the spirit Of the Lord
Jesus, aud conscientiously endeavored
o do her duty as profsssed follower
# the p,eek and lowly Jesus.
Hence, in her case, although death
7as sudden, and 10 one Hss present
o hear her testimony 10 the power of
3od to sustain a dying saint, or any
of her reaainess.so exchange
iue for eternity, We have the strong
nd uuinpeachable testimony Of a