The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-28

this sermon the preacher draws
 4z lesson of universal interest from
 l., ale and death of Francis Murphy, the famous temperance evangelist. The text
 is II Timothy Iv T. "I have fought
 good fight
 Even under the brightest and happlest conditions it is sad sight 10 see a great
 man unbuckle his armor and lay down
 the battleax he has yielded in the front of lifes struggles. When John Adams was about to be inaugurated President
 of the United States the assembled null titude had no cheers and vociferatons for the new chieftain. Their thoughts were with the retiring leader. There were sobs and aching hearts for him who was to lay down the tasks of public life after forty-fiVe years conseerated to his coun- try's service. All eyes were focused upon the tall commanding figure of him who would henceforth be known as First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts i of his countrymen." When John Adams 1 lifted his hand over the sacred book and l took the oath of office George Washington 1 slowly turned to go into the house and l efface himself from public notice. The people followed him with moistened eyes 1 and tear stained cheeks. A great moan i went over the assembled hosts, like the ] murmurings of many waters. He turned i in the doorway and looked back mo-
 ment and then waved a silent farewell ] And all up and down the lines went the
 valedictory: God bless him. God bless i him! God bless himl'
 When Andrew Jackson handed over the i reins of government to Martin Van Buren i and started home, his journey to his be- i loved Hermitage was like long funeral l procession. The people came out rom 1 the towns and villages and cities to greet l him. Every one wanted last LOOK dl 1 the face of their late ruler. With ms 1 white hair, tall, 1.-the form and stern 1 features he lowered above the people i who crowded around him. But wherever i ne looked he saw only men and women i who were regretting the day that tnls 1 sagacious American was no longer to l lead them in the councils of peace ana ol l war. ,s
 When William E. Gladstone, after halt l a century in the service of his country l resigned the premiership and passed out
 of the house of commons for the last time all the members arose ana uhcoN-
 cred Those men, no matter to what po- l litical party they belonged knew thal d 1 political genius and one of the most sel- & i pacIous statesmen the British empire l had ever produced was about to leaVe
 the public arena and pass the Indian i summer of his early life In retirement 1 His party knew that there was no one to fin his place. and they lamented ms
 going.
 A Rest Well Earned.
 After a great leader of men has been
 working for the good of his fellow couh- trymen for twenty or thirty or lo, e
 years the world may regret to lose ms
 services but it has to bow to the lneVlla-
 ble and recognize the right of the urea
 worker to rest No! No" says the
 world though we may grieve much 10
 see our honored leaders fall out rom
 their places, they have earned thelr rest
 and they have q right to peace. oo me
 Ionis nnon the Mount Vernons and the
 Hermitages and the Hawardens as the
 havens and harbors of life, where urea
 men can rest and be at peace With lhose
 who love them and whom they love. Now, the true Christian looks upon
 death as a going home to receive HIS eternal reward. When Paul salu:
 have fought a good fight. l have finished
 n,y course. I have kept the faith. Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown oi righteousness," he meant simply this; | ''I1riends. for years 1 have been ensaseo l in an exhausting struggle. l am physlcal-
 ly worn out. l am looking Tor the re 1 ward Christ promised. Let me go anu
 be at peace with Christ, wAlch is Ial pot 1 fer" So we have d right to LOOK upoii ] death today not as going down lhto tue ] grave. but as ascending to a throne II i is going home 1t is going to one or the mansions of heaven which Christ mas prepared for those who love him.
 was never more impressed with thl5
 fact than when l sat by the bedside or
 the modern apostle of temperance,
 Francis Murphy. He was one of the
 great temperance leaders of this couh-
 trv We mourned his failing strength.
 His work seemed to be so important IL
 did seem as though we could not give
 him up; but, as the time came TOT ms
 departure, 1 visited him and prayed With him. Then after l had finished, with his
 weak voice he continued my prayer as follows: 70 God, l thank thee that | have not an enemy in all the world l thank thee that the world is hlled Wlth
 good people. If it be thy will, let me go l back to my work, but if not, l have so 1 many dear ones on the other slde' take
 ,1o fo them and to thy glory" Yes,
 Francis Murphy, we know what was In l vour heart Lying upon your sckbed' i you could see the dear departed trlehds i coming out to greet you. You could l hear inc heavenly chorus chanting vel
 come for your celestial advent. Your 1 death was not to be an obllteratloh' u l was to be an ascension, coronation, an 1 endorsement. Hail, thou ascended spirit! We today rejoice with thee in thy heaV- onlv rapture Hail o thou enthroned l warrior, Haili
 i When Stonewan Jackson. the chival-
 rous Philip Sidney of the Confederat te army was dying, shot by the bullets ol 1 his own men at Chancelorsville, he had | n beautiful vision of heaven He saw d 1 smooth flowing river, where he could l moisten his parched and fevered lips. He 1 saw his loved ones on the opposite bank 1 waving to him in salutation. And in rap l tlre he raised himself and cried out, Let 1 us pass over to the other side and rest
 rnder the shadows of the trees." and then fell back dead. So Francis Murphy, dur 1 ing his last days of earth, caught a glimpse of the trees of life growing by l that river which is clear as crystal, pro-
 ceeding out of the throne of God and of | the Lamb. He wanted to go over and 1 rest He said. There are so many dear l ones beyond O God, if 1t be thy will, | take me to them and to thy glory Yes
 today thy prayer is answered. Thou art
 with thy departed kindred and friends. l Thou wilt stay with them until the time comes for us to depart, and then thou 1 wilt come forth to greet us, as they came | to greet thee.