The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1886-09-23
FUNERAL SERMON

FUNERAL SERMON
Delivered by Rev. 6. W. Burns,
in The NJ. f. Church of Logan at
the obsequies of VIM. NJ. Davey,
Sept. 18th, 1856.
For We know that II our earthly house
of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have
q building Of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens" Corinthi-
ans, vi.
The language Of the text, like
much of the language Of Scripture,
is highly figurative; and before we
pass to some important thoughts
and truths suggested by the passage.
we offer few words by way of in
PRODUCTION in explanation of few
terms in the verse.
The word house doubtless repre-
sents the human body. The high
er. the immortal principle, the soul
is represented rs dwelling in the
body as tenant occupies a house.
The qualifying term earth'y,may
suggest to the mind the mortality or
destfuctabiIity Of the body; that 1t
is temporary structure and subject
to decay. 1t reminds us of the or
igin of the body out of the dust of
the ground was it made, and leads
us to reflect on what the end shall
be: Dust thou art and unto dust
thou shalt return" 1t tells us that
man is of the earth-earthy, and
that this clay ehall mingle with its
fellow clay when sorrowing friends
that stand around shall hear those
solemn words, eve commit his body
to The ground, earth to earth, ashes
to ashes, and dust to dust"
In the word tabernacle OBJ
vious allusion is made to the
text, contracted under the direc
ton of Moses, according to the
divine plan, by the Israelites and
used as the place of worship dur
ing their sojourn in the wilder
ness. this tent was so construct
ed and arranged as to be easily
taken apart and carried on the
marches of the people. Within
this tabernacle, when Set up was,
the ark of the covenant OF
the lid of which and between the
abode and shone forth |
the visible presence of God This
is the thought of the apostle in
this ailusion, that as the ark |
could be protected and preserv-
ed when the tent was taken down,
so the soul will exist while the |
body is moul deriDg in the grave
lis a comfort to know that when
The angel of death gently loosens
all the cords of this fraiJ taber-
ngcle, and the tent flutters to
every breeze the soul will find
shelter and protection with God.
The dissolution spoken offs death
When the vital spark has flown. the
'oul separated from the body, the
tenement rapidly falls into ruin;
he elements separate and the earth
y house is soon dissolved.
With these explain atory remarks we
ask your attention to q few thoughts
by the text.
The Erailty of man implied in disso-
ution Of our earthly house.
1t is an old thought, more it is fact
Is old as the race that man dies but it
is we'll for us to bring old thoughts to
mind and ix our attention to old facts,
when they are so weightY and impor-
ant as this. We too seldom reflect on
he approach of .deatL and consider
'ery carelessly, if at all, that most seri-
,us question, what shall the end be 2"
There is one event that is common to
nan. Death happeneth to all. This
iisitor enters the Princes lordly pal.
zee and the Peasants !owlY hut. The
.ich as we'll as the poor, the learned as
veil as the ignorant, the honorable and
he mean, the righteous and the wicked
must all die. There is no way to
evade or escape the king of terrors
neither riches nor poverty, strength nor
weakness, youth nor age, honor nor
lishonor, holiness nor sin can deliver
Is rom his relentless grasp. For it is
appointed unto man once to die" "The
outward perishe tn" The earthly house
If our tabernacle must be dissolved,
all go unto one place" We may all
az with JOB, ,"The grave is niue house"
md say to corruption, Thou art my
ather" and to the worm, "Thou art
my mother and my sister" and again
, says, Il know thou wilt bring me to
lie ath and to the house appointed for
ii living"
What is mans life in the light of the
scriptures The Bible everywhere ex-
Its human life. Wherever the gospel
S preached and its truth received
here human life, from it's
beginning until its crowning with
loary age, has lis best protection, long
st preservation and highest value
he short space bounded by the cradle
nd the grave is crowded with questions
# infinite weight and issues that take
lold on eternity. 1t affords US the on
y opportunity we have to secure the
avor of God and fit ourselves for fu-
ure life in Heaven. If we underrate
# misimproye the precious moments Of
lis fieeting life all is gone, tor there is
10 work nor device nor wisdom, nor
in the grave whittier We 20. :
he Book does not estimate human life
lightly, but in language both beautif full .
nd forceful il sets before US the frailty !
i man, the brevity and uncertainty of
ife. What could be more expressive
han such passages as these ''My days
re swifter than the weaver's shuttle" ,
10 stand by the loom in your neigh ,
'ors factory and try to follow with your
ye the swift passage to and fro of the
huttle and you vii! be deeply Impress ,
dtwith the comparison OF the man of Uz.
f.