Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-03
,t. John's Episcopal Church.

Tine Memorial window to the Late Rev.
 Charles Trematne-Rev. Mr. Means |
 Sermon Yesterday Morning.
 At the left of the chance1 in one of the | little corners of the cottage church on the 1 corner of State street and Eld, the St. Johns Episcopal church, ,a beautiful window has been people of the parish which will commemorate the many virtues and talents of the late Rev. Charles Tremaine, who ministered so ably and consistently as rector for many years. The window was made by McCully & Miles, of Chicago, and represents s'The Light of the World.' On the lower part of 1t is the inscription, "To the Glory of God and the memory of Rev. Charles H. B. Tremaine Born March II, 1913 died Dec. 1, 1882. For six years rector of this parish. Faith full unto death" The window is very beau tifuI.
 At the morning service of the church yes- terday the rector Rev. Mr. Means, chose his text from the words found in the tenth verse of the second chapter of the book of Revelations, Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown | of life" In his opening sentences the preacher spoke of the nature of the book of Revelations and the scenes that surrounded 1 the author, drawing by skillful touches an able characterization of the awful reign of | Nero. The terrible character of the wicked ! ruler, his abuse of power, his bloodthirsty passions, his death-dealing designs, were de- plcted with telling force. In the midst of those troublous times there was a little church at Smyrna. It was small but earn est band of Christians who were willing to suffer almost anything for the sake of their blessed master. But they were beginning to lose courage under the persistent persecution l of the bloody reign of Nero. Then came to 1 them these words of St. John inspiring them to renewed courage and strength. In dealing with the text and the thoughts suggested by 1t the preacher considered first, | the unity of the Christian life and second, i the continuation of the Christian life There is moral and spiritual side to the charac- l ter of the Christian life. The highest spiri- | tual culture consists in believing and doing | what is best under all circumstances. In up | building Christian character there are cer- tain principles running through it which give 1t consistency. Paul, the Jew of Tarsus, carried those principles throughout his life | to the end. He was true to his faith and | loyal to his convictions. One of the most essential things in our present life is to be | true and loyal thoroughly and at all times honest from the beginning even to the end Often our hearts are unutterably saddeued by the weakness and disloyalty to con victions that men of the present display l The world is full of men of the highest culture and the most sensitive appre- ciation who fail wofully in doing their whole l duty regardless of what others may think l Indeed most lives have huctuating charac- | ter, now seizing upon the faith with striking | zeal, now falling into the deeps of unbelief l and waywardness The most violent ex trenes from selfishness to sacrifice are taken up. In the life of your late rector you can see how fidelity to duty makes man strong ! O ah hoof ronkT conviction into others It is the example of such inherent truthfulness that makes us act nobler. Nothing can re- sist it. Those who stand closer and closer to their flag like the ''old guard'' l at Waterloo, who fight with unfagging zeal and energy to the end are the ones who are sure to conquer. Infexible and stable must be the convictions and character of the man who essays to follow our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. To think beautiful thoughts and other beautiful words is not enough.
 Your late rector was characterized by de- sire to do his own duty himself and this gave
 him strong hold upon your hearts. The
 reality of his life is shown by the fact that
 he is not forgotten His life was success.
 He lived through all the years faithful to the
 end.
 The elimination of the Christian life.
 What contrast, death and life. It con-
 fronts us on every side. The crown is the
 continuation of the Christian life, the flower
 of the struggle. The crown is the visible
 token of that which exists in the heart of
 man, reverence for worth of character It
 is simply natural reward. Death is only
 the beginning of larger life. No faithful
 life is ever wasted. Along the line of human
 strife many have fought and fallen and asked
 for no reward. To be remembered or for.
 gotten is small thing to be true, honest,
 full of high endeavor is the great thing. Re-
 memberipg the life which yonder window
 commemorates, let us go forward to our life
 with renewed courage, remembering the
 blessed promise. "Be thou faithful unto
 death and will give thee crown of life."