Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-11-15
w. II. II. Thayer.

ON the ilfty-fourth anniversary of his
uniting with the Congregational church
in West Randolph, March Is, 1886. This
sermon was made the basis of the me-
mortal service in the same church on the
Sabbath following his decease. l.. PIT.
Note from Mr. Hardy This sermon
is given TO you Just as it was prepared in
the hurry of pastoral work AT the time
when used, The facts woven into il were
gathered from Mr.. Thayer IN conversa-
ton at different times, aud tho they may
not be exact In every particular, are !
think substantially correct.
At the time when this sermon was
preached, in March 1886, there We're three
other persons living who became mem-
bers of this church during the first year
of its life Since Mr.. Thayer's death two
Of these remain, Mrs. Hannah Thayer,
who united when the church was formed
Oct. p. 1882, Mrs. Rev. Bezaleel Smith,
who united the communion season next
after the one when Mr.. Thayer was re-
ceived TO membership.
SERMON BY REV. V. NJ. HARDY.
Text, Ps. l43 -.
| remember the days Of old;
mediate on all thy doings;
| muse on the work of thy hands.
do not want the nature of this ser
vice misunderstood.
Ii is not by any means a eulogistic SER
vice. This is no place for eulogy aud
the brother TO whom this occasion has
reference is not the person to allow IL.
Neither is it intended to be biograph-
zeal review. His life is still an epistle
known and read of all men.
y - - fol esflssE faa
ognition of good mans life. We trust
there are many years of usefulness and
activity for him, who by the grace Of
God is with US to day as the subject OF
these thoughts. This is an anniversary
day, that is all.
Fifty-four years ago this sabbath, a
lad of seventeen years stood up with SIX
associates and confessed the Lord Jesus
Christ to be his Saviour, by entering into
fellowship aud covenant with this
church. That lad Is still with US in the
full manhood of the Christian life: with
us in the fellowship and work and wor-
ship. responsibility and activities OF the
Gospel: with us in the restfuness and
maturity of age; giving OF his counsel,
sympathy, means and strength To the
same church and cause with which, as a
timid and bashful boy, he joined him
self in the infancy Of itsexistence.
our warrant for keeping this day Is
found in the length Of time in which he
has been member of this church. This
dav. the 2sth Of March, 1856, completes
the circuit of fifty-four years.
am happy in the privilege OF bearing
recognition to the length and influence
of the Christian life of this brother u
Christ, beloved. while he is still with us
in love and work. | am glad of such an
opportunity of giving emphasis 10 the
importance of the Christian life. To me
il means more for men TO live well than
TO die we'll. And diving, as | understand
II. i a far more essential thing To man
than diving. For his living and not his
diving determines his character and his
destiny.
am glad also on behalf of this church
and community for this occasion of show
ing appreciation and gratitude to the
Great Head of the Church for the long
record of service which this brother has
rendered. while he is with US TO receive
our congratulations and offer with us his
PRAYER of thanksgiving.
1t is not often granted unto the chill
dren of men to realize in life's daytime
so many JOYS and hopes AS are fulfilled
in this clad hour And the thought which
crowns these moments with unspeakable
delight is that God is in them,
II remember the days of old:
| mediate on all thy doings;
| muse on the works of thy hands.
How natural and how delightful is
this picture of the restful ease and hap
DIV "reminiscences of age
Il remember the days Of old. As the
traveller tells the story of his wander
ings in far off lands and lives again his
adventures without the fatigue and pain
that accompanied them: as the sailor le-
cites The tale of the seas and the weird
eXpf riences which storm and calm, dan
ger and mystery brought TO him, and
gains them back unto himself in the re-
cital: as the soldiers eye CLEANS with
new light. and his pulse comes again at
the sound of the drum and fife, While he
goes once more unto the wars - 80 the
Christian traveller. soldier, v0yager
sends out his heart unto the days OF
old" as he lays the care and burden Of
busy life aside in the retirement OF ad-
vancing years.
His lows become the joys Of memory.
His sources Of happiness are found chlet-
lv IN himself. Especially dear TO MN
are the ..davs of old, the events ana
memories which cluster about life's dis
rant and earlier beginnings. But the
Christian sees something more than
repetition of facts in life's review lie
finds a deeper source of happiness than
the recollection Of strange experiences
ana surprising Incidents lie sees Ell
God in an the past. i mediate on all
INV doings.- He studies his own life as
an artist q picture to discover the mind
81 him who has crowned il with loving
Kindness and tender mercies. Ana IN
these quiet hours Of meditation ana re
Election many q link in the chain Of ms
being becomes distinct and golden men
WIS sometimes hidden.