Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-06-11

CONCERNING preparation t0E lubuIS
life how often we initiate them in
passiveness Seneca appropriately
said, st is uncertain at what place
death shall find thee; wait then fol
death at every place. History an
I swers in the negative the last ques-
tion of England's rich cardinal
Beaufort "Will not death be bribed?''
Many of the most impressive meta
phors and statements of the bible
have for their subject matter the
brevity and uncertainty of life and
the absolute sureness of death.
i 1t is surprisingly wise for us all
to make the best preparation for
eternal relationships while we are in
the days of youth and perfect physi-
cal health. Mrs. Wood did this
when, in the morning Of her young
life, she consecrated her heart, infu-
ence and endowments to the service
of God. When John Newton was
asked to quote the farewell words OF
dear friend he responded Tell me
nothing as to what she said when
| dying, but tell me how she lived. y
| Mrs. Wood lived the Christlike life,
The moral trend of human life, and
the spiritual status of character at
death, are the criterions of moral
fitness for the complexion of the i'm
mortal life The English princess,
Charlotte, wrote to more than zoe
distinguished persons for responses
to the solitary question, what will
make death bed easy?' Chris
tianity replies to this interrogatory
thus: "A pure, humble, godly life,
built up on comprehensive trust
in Jesus Christ for salvation from
the guilt and power of sin in this
life, and from the punishment of sin
beyond the grave" With this sub
lime consciousness the gifted Bishop
Thompson emphasized the two clos
ing days of his life as the most
precious and exultant in his entire
earthly career. | have knowledge of
the fact that Mrs Wood cherished
constantly the conviction that death
only transfers a true Christian from
the hovel to the palace, from toll to
rest, from battle to perpetual vic
tory. The erucifixion and resurrec-
ton of Jesus Christ have transfg
ured death from the appearance OF
the King of Terrors into that of a
radiant angel standing at the gate
of Gods capital for the introduction
of His dear children ON a life OF
deathless beatitude. If we live the
ideal christian life here then, at
death our gain is infinite, inexpres
sible and imperishable; and is dim y
outlined in the majestic symbology
of the two closing chapters of the
New Testament. Hence in all OF
the particulars of Heavens superb
GRITTY to Earth; in so far as in i'm
maculate moral purity is more de
sirable than indwelling sin; and in
SO far as everlasting exemption from
temptation is preferable to constant
exposure from its darts; and in sc
far as perfect knowledge is better
than imperfection of information
Mrs. Wood is the conqueror, the
victor, by reason of this brief sick
ness and in its elimination in phys
ical death.
When the great composer OF music,
!, Mozart, was constructing his cele-
brated "Requiem," he said to a
friend, 81 must work rapidly, for !
believe this will constitute my own
death chant. His conviction proved
too true What we do for the spirit
ual culture of our souls, and the win
! ming of human souls to Gods service,
, we must do quickly. Mrs. Woods
sudden death is the trumpet through
which God speaks to US, in Christ's
, words, saying 'TThe night cometh
when no man can work. Our most
imposing duty is to have constant
spiritual fitness for eternal relation
ship. Many splendid years, richly
freighted with great opportunities fol-
personal moral usefulness, have al
ready swept past us. Daily, though
often unconsciously, we are building
the ediflce OF character. Reputation
, and character widely differ. Reputa-
: tion is what others think and say OF
/ us. Character is what God knows us
to be. "As man thinketh in his
heart so is he.n Momentous issues
Fl depend on correct living in this NOR
+ tai life. Death places permanent
! impression on both character and
destiny. The most august native
> virtues, the most beautiful graces ac.
. quired by self-culture, the most or
thodox type OF an intellectual faith,
: the most conspicuous espousal oil
I, church covenants, will not, separated
from life of sublime trust In Jesus
e Christ, give US moral preparation fol
: the future life. Daily repentance fol-
e sin; daily trust in the worlds one
Savior; the daily consciousness of for
= given transgressions; the daily re
: newing and guiding offlce-work OF the
. Holy Spirit must be interlaced with
! our daily conduct and wiser expe-
rience. Let us learn to live that no
BILE and exalted life portrayed by Will.
liam Cullen Bryant, in the eloquent
peroration of his little poem entitled
seThanatopsis, in which he sings:
> $50 live that when thy summons comes 10 join
The innumerable caravan that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
HE amber in he silent halls of Death