The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-01-05
The Blessed Dead.

kc SseSSeN DcAW.
Rev. Ii: l3.-"BieSSed are tie
dead 1thicA lie in the L0rd."
How uncertain are human affairs
Yea, how uncertain is human life
Men just ready to start on loug
journey have suddenly been called tc
pass through the valley anu shadow
Of death. From marriage rites VIC are
sometimes summoned to attend fuue.
! raj so!eipui.ies. From the giddy
| dance and the widest revelrics, the
dcvotees of pleasure have been sudden,
ly checked by the unexpected r,essen,
ger Of death. Man, just ready to en-,
ter new dwelling upon which he has
bestowed much treasure aud toll, has
been called to the silent house Of the
dead. 4 pastor, sitting at his desk
preparing message for his people,
appropriate to the time Of Advent
the CLurch's festive seasou-is SUD-
moucd to make ready for a funeral
sermon. \ family, in the enjoyment
Of its accustomed blessings AID privi
leges, and busy about its domestic
affairs, is euddenly shocked BY tie au
nouncemeut that the wife and mother
is dead Thus sre we reminded that
Our days on the earth are asa shadow
aad there is none a5idins.' My days
are swifter than a post: they fee
away They are passed away as the
swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth
to the prey 'Mau that is bora Of q
woman is of few days and full Of trou-
bic. He cometh ferth like a flower,
and is cut down: he heeth also as a
shadow, and continueth not AS for
man, his days are as grass: as a flower
Of the field, so he Aourisheth For
the wind passeth over it, and it is
gone; aud the place thereof shall
know it no more The glass 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.
Whilst death is certain, and appointed
unto every man, it is frequently with
out wsrnirg, and when it is least ex.
pected. Man also knoweth not bis
time: as the fishes that are taken in
an evil net, aud as the birds that are
caught in the snare so arc the sons
Of uen shared in al evil time, when
it falleth suadenly upon them
AUD what Important lesson does
this certainty Of death, and uncertain.
ty OF life teach US! Whilst every uan
should be actu2tsd BY deep and set
tied principle Of moral responsibility
to God-whilst every man should serve
God from seuse of duty and holy
obligation to his Msker and Redeener,
and not from a seuse Of fear-the ab-
solute uncertainty Of life, (sna hence
the absolute uncertainty of the further
extension of our probationary state)
should impress upon every soul the
absolute importance Of an immediate
preparation and constant readiness for
death. If We know rot at what mo-
melt the Master may call US to an
account Of our stewardship, it be-
hooycs US to BE- il state Of readiness
and watchfulness that We be not un-
preparsd-yea, that we be not over
whcl.usd with amazemcnt aud fear
when we sre summoned into His au-
gust and holy presence. With the
means Of grace, and the profers Of
salvation soundisg in his ears, no man
can justify himself iu a 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
ings, death and resurrection.
How beautifully was this idea Illus
trated in the life of our dear departed
sister. Unlike muititudes Of others
who put Of: attention to their spiritual
and eternal we'll being, the service Of
God was a matter of duty-a thing Of
reality-a conscientious work with
her. Religion with her was not mere
ly professiou-a name. She was
animated with the spirit Of the Lord
Jesus, aud consclentlously endeavored
to do her duty as professed follower
Of the pseek and lowly Jesus.
Hence, in her case, although death |
vas sudden, and 20 one was present !
to hear her testimony 10 the power Of |
God to sustain a dying saint, or any |
assurance of her readipessto exchange |
:iue for eternity, we have the strong :
aud uui,p ppeachablc testimony Of d :