Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1907-07-27
Caln,age
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmade, ID. d.

'cllhOh tHe preacher draws lesson or
universal interest from the nfe and
: death of Francis Murphy, the famous
temperance evangelist. The text is
[ III Timothy iv, Z, 81 have fought good
fight"
Z Even under the brightest and hap
piest conditions 1t is sad sight to see
] Il great man unbuckle his armor and
1 lay down the battleax he has welded
In the front of life's 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 lay
down the tasks Of public life after
forty-fye 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
aud first in the hearts of his country
men," When John Adams lifted bis
hand over the sacred book and took the
oath Of office George Washington slow
ly turned to go into the house and eff
face himself from public notice. The
people followed him with molstened
eyes and tear stained cheeks. A great
moan went over the assembled hosts,
like the murmurngs OF many waters.
| He turned In the doorway and looked
back moment and then waved a 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, and started home. his Jour |
| ney to his beloved Hermitage was |
| like long funeral procession. The |
| people came ont from the towns and |
villages and cities to greet him Every |
one wanted 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 L. Gladstone. after
half n 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
nd |
matter to what political parry they
belonged, knew that political genius
and one Of the most sagacious states.
men the British empire had ever pro-
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 n great leader OF men has
been working for the good Of his fel
low countrymen for twenty or thirty
or forty years the world may regret TO
lose his services. but 1t has to bow TO
the inevitable and recognize the right
of the tired worker TO rest mo! I
No,' says the world though we may $
grieve much 10 see our hOnOred lead :
ers fall out from their places, they | (
have earned their rest and they have II
a right to peace" SO we look upon 7
the Mount Vernons and the Hermit +
ages and the Hawardens as the havens o
and harbors Of life, where tired men Z
can rest and he at peace with those Z
who love them and whom they love. q
Now, the true Christian looks upon r
death as a going home to receive his n
eternal reward. When Paul sald II q
have fought a good fight have fin "
ished my course. I have kept the ,
faith. Henceforth there Is laid up for !,
me a crown Of Righteousness" he r
meant simply this Friends for years :,
| have been engaged in an exhaustlng II
| am physically worn out. | #
am looking for the reward Christ prom. ,
sed. Let me go and be at peace with r.
Christ, which is far better" SO we :,
have a right to look upon death today o,
not as going down into the grave, but q
IS ascending to throne. 1t Is going 70
home. 1t is going to one Of the man
,ions of heaven which Christ has pre-
pared for those that love him. J.,
I was never more impressed with -,
his fact than when I sat by the bed -
,ide Of the modern apostle Of temper u
lnce, Francis Murphy He was one OF -
he great temperance leaders Of this "
We mourned his failing "
strength. His work seemed to be so 20
1t did seem as though we ~
.ould not give him up but, IS the time u "
,ame for his Departure visited him n'
md prayed with him. Then after | ~
lad finished, with his weak voice he III
ontnued my prayer as follows; 20 50
iod, | thank thee that I have not an nt
nemy In all the world | thank thee u'
hat the world is filed with good peo- ue
lie. If it be tn. will. let me go back en-
o my work. but n not, have so many III
ear ones on the ether side. take me to 10
hem and to thy glory" Yes. Francis III
iurphy. we know what was In your pr
cart. Lying upon your slckbed, you IL
ould see the dear departed friends pl
omng out to greet you. You could y
ear the heavenly chorus chanting IL
-elcome for your celestial advent W
our death was not to be an Oblitera. N
lon. 1t vas to be an ascension, a SO
oronation, an enthronement. Hail IN
hou ascended spirit, We today re- w
oice with thee in thy heavenly rap 10
IRE. Hail, o thou enthroned warrior oil
Iall,
When Stonewall Jackson the chval- w
Gus Philip Sidney of the Confederate or
rmy. was dying shot by the bullets ON
f his own men at Charlottesville, to
e had a beautiful vision of heaven. I'm
lie saw smooth flowing river. where ri
e could moisten his parched and few co
red lips He saw his loved ones on a
he opposite bank waving to him in ",