The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-18
TIE FUNERAL ADDRESS
Delivered at the Bier of the Dead
Statesman.

For the reason that mans wisdom,
unaided by divine regulations, does net
so very far beyond the things that are
seen and temporal, and the scriptures
give US glimpSes into the unseen realms
of the universal God, no book recognizes
more fully than the Bible the sad facts
of life in this world. 1t recognizes TIE
mystery and sorrow producing nature
of many divine proyidences as seen and
experienced by man, and clouds and
darkness are roundabout him.
His judgment are great deep, and
so we have impressed upon US lesson
of caution. Judge nothing before the
time for we see but one part and partial
knowledge is misleading" because PROV
licences as we actually behold them may
appear wholly dark and painful, but be-
yOnd what we see those prOvidenceS
reach on, and work out for those who
trust in Him and yield themselves to
Him results that we do not see They
are results that are worthy of infinite
wisdom and love.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for His grace,
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face
What then remains for US when we
pass through such an experience? W ait
and trust There is nothing that so hon
ors God, and that He SO values as such
trust in Him. This is faith, it is not
blind credulity.
1t fortifies itself IN the experience of
those who exercise it The steps of
faith fall on the seeming void and flnd
the rock beneath" Such faith is th-
highest exercise of the spirit Of man.
1t is the mans spirit reaching out
through the darkness and clasping the
hands of the Infinite and loving Father
But in the midst of the gloom we may
be assured that Gods providence is over
US, and Gods presence is with US He
5 not Indifferent He cares for US He
has not left Us confortlesS. Through
the tender mercy of our God the day
L n
give light to them that sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death" These
words have come to sorrOWing hearts in
all generations like music in the night.
The three great shadows that darken
human life are sin, suffering and death.
Jesus Christ, the day springs from on
high. gives light to those n the dark
ness Of sin. He has by his sufferings
and death and resurrection made atOle-
menL for il 50 that forgiveness is assured
and where sin has abounded grace does
much more abound. lie has brought
light into the darkness of human suf-
Iering. He does not promise to keep
men from suffering, but to sustain them
under it, and to transmit every expert
ence of it into gain to the immortal spir-
it, ard in the valley and shadow Of death
we need fear no evil for Jesus Christ !
has abolished death and brought life and
immortality to life, so that even in the
presence of the king Of terrOrs the true
man can sing, %, Death. where is Thy /
Victory2" Thanks be to God, who gave
us the victory through our Lord. Jesus !
Christ. Gods supreme answer to human /
sin and human suffering and human
death is Himself as revealed in the per-
son OF His. Son. Into the very darkest /
experience Of human life Christ comes. /
There where the need IS grea test the grace /
He offers is thericheSt and the solace He !
brings is the most tender. Listen He /
speaks, Let not your heart be troubled. |
for in Ny Fathers house are many man
sions-"
I am the Resurrection and the Iifs'
These are the truths in the light of /
which we see more clearly the real ]
meaning of life for man in this world /
and the deeper significance of the life "a 1
him whose name is in all our thoughts I
today, for these were truths that were |
wrought into the very fiber of his strong /
nature and which did so much to en- /
power him to be what he was, and 10 /
do what he did
Full and fitting tributes to his public /
career and to his high achievements have /
already been paid by many Of you by I
you who knew him SO well and for long
high places. This is no time for repetf- /
ton by me of the life Of the record /
familiar to all of you 1t is a help to me i
to realize that even the few simple utter /
ances that almost voice themselves. the I
mere outline reminders CT his life which \
by your own memories are taken and 4
filled full Of recollectiOns, vivid, rich and 4
ennObling- We are all m0Hrners here to- i
day. This is no gathering Of strangers I
offering a perfunctory tribute OF grief 1
Some Of us are comparatively strangers i
to one another, but all Of US whether /
from distant cities and states or from /