Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-12-18
SudGen Death.

AS thief in the night.-II. Peter, ill.,, 10.
This is a vivid, almost startling.
illustration of the way in which the in
evltable sometimes steals upon US.
After what manner does the thief
come at night? Is it not with exceed
ing stealth, that he may cause no
alarm, and with slippered feet and
bated breath and cunning silence?
In like manner death treads softly
until he is close at hand. In many
cases it is not known that he is in the
vicinity until he lays his hand on some
ones shoulder and whispers Come y
Sometimes he clasps the heart with his
icy fingers and it at once ceases to beat,
Just as the old clock ceases to tick when
you lay hold of the pendulum. At 9th
er times loved one lies on his couch
for few days, never dreaming that
his work is done, but rather hoping
that the morning will find him ready
to take up his task. Then all at once
there are anxious faces and fearful
eyes, and before he can realize the stu
alton his soul has broken away from
the bonds of mortality and he begins
his flight into the upper air.
How would you wish to die, if the
matter were left to your personal de-
ClSlOd IL 10 a SuOJCCU III WhlCll CNCl
one has bestowed more or less thought,
though few of US, perhaps, have reach
ed definite conclusion. With another
and better world in constant view;
with the full consciousness that on the
further shore you will have an environ
ment far superior to that afforded by
the present life; with profound faith
that dear ones over there are waiting
for you, what seems the most desirable
means Of exit from the present and en-
trance into the future?
The ideal death is undoubtedly that
of old age. If we had perfect bodies,
unhampered by inherited weaknesses,
we should not die ia youth or middle
life, but should retain our faculties to
the last and take our leave as the sun
does when he sinks behind the hills. If
the laws of nature were triumphant, if
our ancestors had not left their diseases
as well as their property to US as heirs,
we might be hale and strong until the
machinery gave way. That is the kind
of life and death indicated by the plan
of God, but that plan has been sadly
interfered with. Such life, rich and
healthy to the last, and such death,
simply falling asleep through weariness
and waking up in heaven, are rarely
seen.
Many people bewail the sudden de
parture of loved ones and regard it as
an addition to the bereavement, but
this is mistake. We must think of
ourselves less and of them more If
one is to take journey and the prep
aration for it is painful, then the
quicker the preparation is made the
better for US all. When we must say
goodby handshake is better than
prolonged farewell. If one is called
away by voice which cannot be dis
obeyed, why should we selfshly hold
him in lingering embrace when lin
gering means suffering for him?
To enable us to endure the death of
some member of our household with
sorrowful serenity we need a stronger
faith in TWO facts. After that death is
mere incident in the career of a soul
and, though we may weep, we shall
also rejoice at the good fortune which
has come to the dear one.
First, we must be sure that the end
has not come and never will come; that
all that has occurred is a change of
residence, nothing more. The loss is
ours, the gain is theirs. They are be
ing congratulated on their arrival at
the moment when we are in tears over
their departure. They have more
friends on the other side than thev
could have here, for this life is made
of many streams, but the other life is
the ocean into which all streams flow
If, therefore, heaven and earth are
equal realities to US, we NAV sigh and
weep, but beneath our signs and tears
we shall feel sense of relief that.
though physical suffering may still
come to US, none can reach them for
evermOre.
SECOND, such faith must rest on the
solid conviction that death makes no
change In affection or character. To
morrow we shall be ourselves lust as
we are to day, and there can never
come morrow in which we shall suf-
fer loss of personal identity.
Let us take q strong Illustration
We have here bottle of perfume with
an atomizer affixed. That body of per
fume occupies definite space and has
definite characteristics. 1t has, so to
speak, an individuality.
In like manner a man has definite
peculiarities and occupies a definite
space. He is himself alone and cannot
share bis identity with any other hui
man being. If by miracle he were com
PEELED to do this he would be that much
less than himself and that much nearer
to nonentity.
Now squeeze the bulb and continue
to do SO until the bottle is empty.
What has happened? The entire BODY
of perfume is dissipated. Not at atom
has been destroyed, because all atoms
are indestructible, but you have so
scattered the perfume that no power
can gather those particles together
again. The individuality is gone for
ever, and, though the atoms still live
they live as atoms only, not as an ag
gregated mass of atoms. making a given
quantity of perfume.
Some will tell us that that is what
occurs to us at death. We are dissipat
ed among the forces of the universe:
are immortal, to be sure, but immortal
only as force, not as individuals, Christ
taught overwhelmingly, that we are
personalities and shall remain such TO
the end of the world that death is not
our atomizer and has no power what
ever over character.
Then we need not fear death, but
should be glad for those who have got
away from the body, They are over
yonder and our faces are turned in the
same direction. Let death come how
it will, it cannot disturb US. If it comes
suddenly all the better, for we shall be
saved the pain of lingering illness. Let
it all be as God DEGREES, and as for rs
we will be ready for the journey when
ever we are summoned
GEORGE H. HEPwORTH.
Sermons on nrliticS and o+Lo-