Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-16

him? Let US say Sturgeon, or Christen-
dom, for all claim him as their own.
The places Of such leaders may be
occupied without being filed. And where
are the champions who are ready to take
up the weapons fallen from their hands
and cheer on the Church to renewed
victories? We all know how the loss or
one great statesman has sometimes de-
feated measures by which the progress
and prosperity Of a nation might have
| been promoted for generations. And who
| does not know that in great crisis in
national history the death Of n single
distinguished leader has made the indie
| pendence Of that people impossible for
all time? SO. IN the Church, the work
goes on haltingly, YEARLY, and is often
| temporarily crushed.
1T was so when the reformations which
| attempted TO spring up often before
Luther was born were put down. such
as that Of Arnold OF Berscia. and that OF
Savonarola, and OF John Huss. II was so
when Coligne and Condo fell. II was so
when other reformers were put down:
their fall was the signal OF the decline OF
the great worth they undertook
Among the lessons 20 be learned from
the bereavements that mako the world
poorer and the Church emptier f. this
Inc need OF earnest prayer 10 God that
He would raise up and qualify men who
can take the places OF the departed and
efficiently hasten the accomplishment OF
Ills great purpose Of mercy and grace by
which this revolted world is to be brought
back TO its rightful allegiance-men who.
II not inspired men, like Moses and
Isaiah, or like David. who composed the
psalms which animated the sentimental
army on its march. to final victory; or
like Paul, who girdled the earth with a
zone OF light and glory. and wrote the
Epistles which have shaped the tbeoloei-
cal thought Of the world: at least, Ike
their successors, who though uninsured.
yet possessed the cOnsecrated genius and
learning TO meet the great exieen~es
which are always arising in the history of
the Church Who can say that such men
are not needed now TO combat great err
rors and arrest the tide OF secularism.
false philanthropy, and assaults upon the
inspiration OF the Scriptures which pre-
vail even In lands where Christianity is
supposed TO exist In its purest form? Let
us beseech the Great Head OF the Church
to bless IT with more Of power IN the pull
pit power with the pen. power IN the
professors chair. the power OF sanctifed
scholarship, the power OF consecrated
lives IN every department OF Church work
ana Christian enterprise. The scholar il
q product or slow growth. OF patient toll
and rare product even after the most
protracted toll. Every day we have new
OF the difficulty OF nnding
men qualified for the high positions which
ieath makes vacant by the removal az
he great and good, although there never
vas time, perhaps when tho Church
was fuller Of men OF average abilky.
CONSOLATION.
''In deploring such a loss as the one
which makes us mOurners this afternoon.
Ne will not forget the most blessed o. an
Heaven gains what Wa lose,
ma becomes richer and more attractive
0 us. True, the Lamb Is the light thereof
nut our departed ones stand disclosed in
hat light, and reflect IL down 10 US. We
owe them all the more because they shine
n the beauty Of their Lord and ours.
We remember our brother. beloved now
4 the rest and peace and blessedness Of
ne true home. We remember those whom
70 has left behind Tor awhile, and il
omforts us TO know that there is one
and gentle enough 10 bind up the bleed
~ heart and soft enough 10 wipe away
be tears or bereavement one who Is the
usband OF the widow and the father OF
he fatherless; one who is able to sanctify
} us our deepest distress and 10 bring as
Il by ways OF His own choosing 10 the
nd OF LIES journey and through the
right gate OF Paradise into the land OF
.ernal light and glory"