Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-12-29
IN MEMORIUM.
Memorial Sermon at St. James Church.
ohehoygan, Mich. Dec. az, 1883, on
the death Of Rev. James II.
Magofin.
Sermon by Rev. WHY'S Hall. D. D.-Aot
II-24-"For he Was a Good Man."


While I have been speaking your
thoughts have been busy in loving and
reverent transfer from st. Barnabas. the
good man of the text, to the good man
who was lately your supplied priest,
your father in Christ, your pastor, your
guide, your friend. For goodness in
the exalted sense of its being the reflect
ed image of Jesus, is everywhere the
same in kind, though differing in de-
gree, and whether it be seen in Apostles
OF old or in men and women to-day, it is
ever the same light of the perfect
man, Jesus, even as the sunlight is the
same, though it CLEAN over desert sands
or oceans dreary waste, or glori6es tho
bloom and fertility of the tropical forest.
1t was my happy privilege to know your
late rector as none of you, perhaps, knew
him, and because my knowledge of him
as brother and friend has been and is a
perpetual benediction upon my heart
and character, do not hesitate to say
that embracing all his virtues and worth
and combining them all, lOwly christian
goodness shOne forth as the pervading
and browning grace of his character.
Gentle as child, but strong and coura-
geOus in all that constitutes true manli-
ness, genial, kind and loving, he moved
among men in the spirit of his master, a
helper and friend. The poor, the help
less and the otherwise uncared for,
wherever his lot was cast, found in HIM
nay he searched them out and extended
to them, the sympathizing word and the
strong, helpful hand. His pastoral work
as a priest of the church, was no per-
functOry round of duty, but rather the
exercise. under official authority. of the
same humane, kindly and wise charac-
teristics which would have been expert
enced in any other sphere of life he
might have chosen. His untiring work
for others, his generosity to. the poor, the
needy and the general missionary work
of Christ, even to the impOverishment,
almost, of those near and dear to him,
his unstained and high soul of honor,
his humility and simplicity, his unfall-
ing courtesy and his bright, breezy, sun
ny manner, all bespeak the noble, true
hearted, christian man. Throughout his
ministry he had endured hardness as a
good soldier of Jesus Christ. As man
he had known disappOintments, fierce
trials, heavy sorrows and crushing de-
feats. But these had wrought the fibres
of strength into his character, and made
him strong in patience, strong in judg
meut. strong in his charity, strong as a
ministrant to guide others and to bear
the infrmities of the weak. AS a
preacher of the blessed Gospel, which he
SO loved, ard desired above all things tC
have others love, have heard more than
one, competent to Judge, speak of him as
possessing gifts of mind and culture Of
more than ordinary ability. Clear, sim
pie, precise, winning and persuasive, he
told ever the old, old story of Jesus and
His love. With this, his clear, ringing
voice, as massive as the physique he pre-
sented, made men love to hear, and once
knowing the grand reserve power Of
goodness behind it all, moved men t.
thought and feeling. can never FORGE
some sermons have heard him preach
in st. Andrews, Ann ArbOr; They wer'
full of the truth as it is in Jesus, and o.
the intense personality of the man, wht
felt that truth within his own inner lift
and consciousness.
Such the man, dear brethren, and sucl
the pastor whom it was your privilege t.
have among you, your friend and spirit
ual guide. 1t cannot be that his minis
tration, though brief in time, has ceased
or will cease, in influence. The voice
that spake to You with authority iron
this sacred desk is hushed in death blu
the goodness of the man, because good
ness by its own weight of influence j
everlasting, has touched your hearts 10
veal or woe. You must be better, or, be
ing among those who, having eyes Sc
not, and ears, hear not, be worse. GO
removes his workman and His work g0e
on, but the impress OF the workman
hand is never lost. To-day IS | speak o
him. there are vocal memories thrOug
which he speaks more earnestly an
more pleadingly from the spirit world
Surely it cannot be with this people an
this parish quite the same as If he ha
never lived among. Surely the memOr
of so good man. so wise and tender
guide, so faithful teacher and paste
will linger like benediction in man
hearts and be a holy incentive in tn
christian walk and warfare. And 20
and /. God grant, of His loving, helpin