The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-07-23
CalmaQe
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmage, D. D.

| universal interest from the life and
Heath of Francis Murphy. the famous
temperance evangelist. The text is
ii Timothy iv, {. Il have fought good
fight"
| Even under the brightest ana hap
piest conditions it is Il sad sight to see
| 4 great man unbuckle his armor and
lay down the battleaX he has welded
| in the front of lifes struggles. When
John Adams was about to be inaugu.
| rated president of the United States
| the assembled multitude had no cheers
| and vociferations for the new chief
tain. Their thoughts were with the re-
firing leader There were sobs and
aching hearts for him who was to Law
| down the tasks Of public life after
fOrtE-five years consecrated to his
| country's service. All eyes were To-
cused upon the tall, commanding figure
OF him who would henceforth be
known as First in war. first in peace
and first in the hearts of his country
mem. When John Adams lifted his
hand over the sacred book and took the
oath of office George Washington slow
~ turned to go into the house and eff
face himself from public notice. The
people followed him with moistened
eyes and tear stained cheeks 4 great
moan went over the assembled hosts,
like the murmui'ngS of many waters.
He turned in the doorway and looked
back moment and then waved Il silent
farewell. And all up and down the
lines went the valedictory: "God bless
him! God bless him. God bless him."
When Andrew Jackson handed over
the reins of government to Martin
Van Buren, ana started home. his jour
ney to his beloved Hermitage was
like a long funeral procession. The
people came out from the towns and
villages and cities to greet him Every
one wanted a last look at the face Of
their late ruler With his white hair.
tall. 1.-THE form and stern features. he
lowered above the people who crowd
ed around him. But wherever he
looked he saw only men and women
who were regretting the day that this
sagacious American was no longer to
lead them in the councils of peace and
of war.
When William E. Gladstone. after
half century In the service of his
country, resigned the premiership and
passed out of the house of commons
for the last time, all the members
arose and uncovered. Those men. no
matter to what political party they
belonged. knew that political genius
and one Of the most sagacious states
duced was about to leave the public
arena and pass the Indian summer Of
his earthly life in retirement. His
party knew that there was no one to
fill his place. and they lamented his
going
A Rest Well Earned.
After great leader of men has
low countrymen for twenty or thirty
or forty years the world may regret to
lose his services. but it has to bow to
the inevitable and recognize the right
of the tired worker to rest. NO!
MOI says the world, though we may
grieve much to see our honored lead
ers fall out from their places. they
have earned their rest and they have
right to peace" SO we look upon
the Mount Vernons and the Hermit
ages and the Hawardens as the Ravens
and harbors of life. where tired men
can rest and be at peace with those
who love them and whom they love.
Now, the true Christian looks upon
death as Il going home to receive his
eternal reward When Paul said: Il
have fought a good fight. l have fin
ishetl my course. have kept the
faith. Hencefolth there is laid mp for
me crown of righteousness. he
meant simply this: Friends, for years
have been engaged in an exhausting
struggle. am physically worn out.
am looking for the reward Christ prom
ised. Let me go and be at peace with
Christ. which Is far better" So we
have a right to look upon death today
not as going down into the grave. but
as ascending to a throne. 1t is going
home 1t is going to one of the man.
sions of heaven which Christ has pre-
pared for those that love him.
1 was never more impressed with
this fact than when I sat by the bed
side of the modern apostle of temper
ance. Francis Murphy. He was one OF
the great temperance leaders of this
country. We mourned his failing
strength His work seemed to be so
important. 1t did seem as though we
could not give him up; but as the time
came for his departure, visited him
and prayed with him. Then after l
had finished, with his weak voice he
continued my prayer as follows: 20
God, l thank thee that / have not an
enemy in all the world. thank thee
that the world Is filed with good peo-
pie. II 1t be thy will, let me go back
to my work, but II not. have so many
dear ones ON the other side, take me to
them and to thy glory" Yes, Francis
Murphy, we know what was in your
heart. Lying upon your sickbed, you
could see the dear departed friends
coming out to greet yols You could