The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-31
8. We shall hold you as long as we

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Yet as the body weakened and it's rest
was disturbed and insufficient, the face
or death was welcomed as that of a
friend. 1t was near, many days and
nights, with those who watched. 1t
seemed at last sleeps brother, full.
grown and strong, who might take into
his arms tired nature and restore it to
its God. Death was to be trusted as
sleep, offering deep and peaceful relief,
and waiting to give better than had
been wished for, according to the Power
that worketh in us and for us, by which
the creature. made in vanity, is ssu bjected
in hope and destined unto deliverance
from the bondage of corruption into
the glorious liberty Of the children of
God"
Once, as sat by him and he talked
OF the earthly limit, of the pathway
which must soon end, and his thought
was turned backward where it might
have longer range,-the spirit craving
liberty-he said that "his hopes had not
been SO bright as some, his faith had
not been so sunny, but he had tried to
live Christian life." He had tried to
live himself Alright.
The reflection was INDUCED by me
that should everyone 80 live, the moral
and social and religious problems of the
world would all be solved. The optimism
that beholds bettered condition of life
on earth. the belief that grasps the hand
OF God and works with ready heart for
the future unseen, would be abundantly
satisfied If each man should reform one,
one only. and should individually love
mercy, deal justly and walk humbly with
his God. Such living should be at once
brotherly, and the Father of all should
receive it into the haven Of infinite ap-
proval.
But the flower of faith had blown full
at last. The sepals had withered. The
stem was bent and broken. AS fold at.
ter fold fell, he spelled their meaning
over and over, Christ" "light," "joy."
He had ceased to live at the ground.
But his spirit was alive to things eternal
Even had he remained with us, it was
for no temporal purpose of business from
which he had retired. The companion
OF his home, the friends of the years, the
church Of his early choice and life long
faith. held his love, explained his desire
and interpreted his hope. And these
are not temporal. Eternity is symbol
lied in the marriage vow. Friendship
keeps ever it's memories. The church
stands for truths Of the higher nature
and the eternal life. And the soul that
went alone, as each one goes singly from
earth, craved companionship. and. ~
emigration wac manifestly but one way
to that country from whose bourne no
traveller returns" there was concern for
her whose life had been made 80 truly a
part of his by the weaving of the years,
while he in whom "all sweet accords Of
hearts and homes" are multiplied
Friend, Brother. Lord and Lover of us
all-was near in thought to sanctify
earthly friendships and the truths Of
the church shed their light upon death.
Rest came as sleep to the body. 1t
broke off for the moment. let US believe
the thoughts that again engage the
awakened life; but awakened now where
worldly cares and labors shall never
keep it from the higher and diviner am
billions of the soul born from above.
When, at sunset, we lay the body down,
and return to find ourselves that renew.
al which night gives followed by day in
which faith and hope and love are still
living and abiding ever, may we receive
the suggestion that rest to him we cali
dead may mean in the night Of death
what it means to the living in the night
which yields again to day.
when the rest of Faith is ended, and the rest
in Hope is past.
The rest of Love Iemaineth- Sabbath of Life at
last.
No more Heeting hours. hurrying down the
day.
But golden stiffness of glory. never to pass
away
Time. with Its pressure of moments, mocking,
as they fell
With relentless beat of footstep. hour by hour
the knell
OF hope or an aspiration, then shall have
passed away.
Leaving grand calm leisure-leisure of endless
day!"