Passaic City record., 1891-01-08

ana the SOUL. mere Is uc6Q IOI LuG
former to till the soil that it may prove
| the fruitful mother to US all. There is
need for the merchant TO stand between
the producer and the consumer of the
necessraies of physical life. All are, in a
way, engaged i'll a divine mission. But
may not be charged with partiality, for a
| little reasoning will bear me out in the
| assertion that for unselfish devotion, for
talents engaged, for character required,
for the motives of life, for services
rendered, for results secured, as to
number and destiny, the profession of
the Christian minister stands far above
them all.
We are looking backward now from
this minister's coffin to his life work, and
l say it is glorious. With the rapt Isaiah
we exclaim: ''How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him who
bringeth good tidings of great joy"
There lies the instrument through
which the consecrated man expressed
himself; the man has gone to his ever
lasting rest, his record is history, and
will be full known when at the final
judgment the books shall be opened.
Such life has not been without its
rewards. They have not been of the
character usually looked for in the world,
but they have been many and sweet in
their enjoyment.
The constant flow of peace in a soul in
communion with God; the exquisite
stantly furnishes knowledge to the
mind; the indescribab1e joy when souls
are born into the kingdom, oh! these
are rewards rich and full Every minis
ter of Christ has partaken of them, and
has meet to eat that the world knows
not of.
1t is however, in the future, where
the rewards for faithful services are to
be received. The Revelation to John,
speaks of four and twenty elders which
stand nearer to the throne than do
others. And it has ever seemed to me
that they were the representatives of
Gods faithful ministers on the earth
the true angels of the churches. Their
rest is assured and they will take the
places of honor assigned them. Who
knows how many of those brought to
Jesus through their ministry will greet
them upon their arrival. These with
the loved ones of their own kith and kin
already there, make US to dream of our
home to be in city well inhabited. oh,
yes! There my brethren, there is our
reward. And upon its enjoyment he
has already entered.
Last Sunday evening Brother Strong
| preached a sermon from I Sam. 1882,
''And David said to Saul let no mans
heart fail because of him." He had
come to the third division of his subject,
which copy from his notes: Deliver
ance is sure. 1t comes in Gods own
way. God had salvation for Israel, but
it was coming from quarter not in the
least expected. The young champion
| came back with Gol1ah's head in his
hand. Such triumphs are yours. Here
God was exalted and pride was laid low.
| So now God wants not for deliverers.
| He loves. He knows. He guards his
saints. His young soldier never advan-
ces to an exposed post but Jehovah
shields this picket on duty, But the
morning star often arises in very differ
ent part of the heavens from what we
| look for.
This was his last sentence. Feeling
himself tottering to fall, he no doubt
had the idea of falling in his mind and
said falling star instead of morning
| star" At this point he fell. So from
the first communion with the people OF
his new charge on the morning of the
day, he visited the Sunday school in the
afternoon, and came with this encourag-
ing message to Gods children in the
evening.
The morning star did indeed arise in
an unexpected quarter, and it proved
for him harbinger of the glorious and
eternal day. To-day there are those in
east New York, the place of his first pas
| torate, and where first knew him; and
in Jersey City, the church of which l am
the present pastor; and in Aquackanock
and Passaic, whittier all of him that
could die will be borne on the morrow;
in Belleville and Cohoes, who unite with
the people of East Milestone in express
sions of grief over the loss of this dear
man of God at the same time that thev
rejoice because they were permitted to
know him as their pastor. To them his
memory will ever be sweet fragrance.
Mr.. Strong had Bible class of over
hundred young men in his church at Co
hoes, which was his special pride A
number of them are present here to day.
They make journey involving nearly
| four hundred miles travel to pay their
| last tribute of love and respect to their
teacher and pastor Every mail brings
great numbers of letters from the
churches he served testifying to the
appreciation of his services and of per-
| sona1 affection.
Although his pastorate was but little
| more than two months over this church
| of East Milestone he had already secured
the unbounded love of his people. Their
expressions of regard are remarkable
and his love for them had already as
sumed the characteristic earnestness,
depth and sincerity which he always
manifested.
Dear friends, you will pardon brief
personal allusion. In what l have said
you have doubtless concluded that nv
relations to Dominic Strong were some
what peculiar. So they were, and l
have reason to thank God for it. 1t was
he who led me to Christ 1t was he who
encouraged my budding but, as l
thought, hopeless desire to become
minister He stood by me through my
seven years course with constant support,
and ever since IN all my troubles, have
turned to him for sympathy. He was
the most valued friend l ever possessed.
1t is a singular coincidence that his