The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-05-29
Memorial Sermon.

The following Is an abstract OF the
Memorial sermon preached nv the Rev.
d. B. Holt at the Methodist Episcopal
church, on Sunday last
Text Acts, 20, "a but none of these
things move me. neither count ! my life
dear unto myself, 80 that might finish
my course With JOY and the ministry
which have received of the Lord Jesus,
to testify the gospel of the grace of God. y
Many centuries ago it MAS said IAN
that a man hath will he give for his life. y
This has been true in ever generation.
Life is valued above earthly possessions.
millions of money for an irch OF time"
said the dying queen Elizabeth. No
monarch but would gladly exchange
treasures for life. The value set upon
life is more fully shown by The tenacity
with which the extremely poor and suf-
fering cling to 1t.
Life IL also sacred thing. God is
the author of it. "In Him was life IL
the declaration Of the Evangelist. Da-
yid says. with Thee is the fountain Of
life.7
The old Alchemst sought for the
principle of life In vain. Modern science
is contented to seek means by which
life may be made more comfortable.
Life is Gods gift, He only has absolute
right of disposal, He has hefged 1t about
with safeguards.
The instructive love of life Is given
for it's protection. Otherwise, In times
of difficulty or despair life would be Ia
ken. By this love of life God would
secure the preservation of thai which he
has given
t. al ta1 hu a md nj
Thou shalt not kill" Is a general com
mandmeut given under most impressive
circumstances 1t applies not only To
the life of others but to ones own. 1t
forbds reckless risking OF life or any
manner of living which would tend to
destroy 1t.
Although of great value and sacred
ness, our text indicates that under Ger
tain conditions, life may, "a matter
of right and duty, be given. The Apos-
tie counted not his life dear unto himself.
These are inspired words and indicate
the will of God. What is Of greater
worth than life, for which 1t may be CIV
en-?
First, for the sake OF family life may
not be counted dear This Is not stated
in the Bible In so many words but the
btdtHluk VI anu tbC spun VI
the gospel inevitably lead to that con-
cluson. If ones homeis entered by
mischevious persons 1t would be right
and duty to protect those d, pendent, at
the risk or sacrifice of life. When con-
tagious and mortal disease enters the
home, no true man or woman thinks of
securing their own safety by flight.
There are men who to procure for the
fo ilttt ba pacapsitfaa nf lffa ohliual
to toll far beyond their strength. BY
their days. Yet such a course Is above
who for the sake Of dependent children
Above such, we believe white winged
ured at the exhibition of loves devotion.
Secondly, life may properly be given
for Country. The very reasons which
make 1t right and duty to OFF, life for
the home make 1t right and duty to give
life for country. For the nation is but an
aggregation of homes. The duties OF
members of the G. A. r. gather to-day
services.
You recall especially those who went
with you under your country's call
They are not here to-day. Some of them
you found where they fell on the battle
field, some wasted away In the hospitals
You gave them such burial As you could
God guards their resting place. Other,
have since dropped out Of your ranks
Many OF them going early to their res
because Of the terrible hardship of thos'
years. You mourn for them, mothers
wives and children mourn for them. Ye
with each is the thought that this was MOI
a reckless throwing away of life. 1t wa
right to do as they did. Their countr,
called, humanity called. God called. Yol
suffer from the wounds and exposure o
those years of war. your lives doubles
shortened by the hardships endured then
Yet, you do not regret 1t. You woul,
not exchange the consciousness you hav.
Of having done your duty, served you
homes, your country and your God, 70
the greater strength or longer life whiel
might otherwise have been yours.
But our text teaches that we may coun
our lives not dear unto ourselves for tn
service of God. Paul is on his way t,
Jerusalem. Often he is told by those en-
dowed with prophetic spirit, of persona
dangers awaiting him. 1t is 10 view o
such warnings he utters these words
He accounts the saving of his own SOU
and the preaching of the gospel of NOR
value than his life. Every age has ha
Its men and women of like mind An
the martyrs are especially honored O
God. Can the Importance of Religion b
set forth In clearer light? We learn tn
worth Of home by considering it to be O
greater value than our llfe the worth O
country Is impressed upon our mind b
the same fact; can religion be of littl
worth when we are evidently taught tina
for this too we may we'll say ''neithe
count my life dear unto myself"
In your soldier life, on the long marche
on picket duty, on the battle field 70
were nerved to do your best, and to off
your very life, by the thought that 20
stood for the protection Of home, for th
interest Of humanity, for country and II
God. So may you be inspired to do,
sacrifice, to suffer, II need be, In Christia
service, by recognizing that In this I'll
interests of home, humanity, country an