Milford chronicle., 1907-07-26
Calmaoe
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmaee, DID.

sermon the preacher draws q lesson of
universal interest from the life and
Heath Of Francis Murphy. the famous
temperance evangelist. The text is
IL Timothy iv, Z, 4 have fought good
fight"
Even under the brightest and hap
plest conditions it is a sad sight to see
great man unbuckle his armor and
lay down the battleax he has welded
In the front of llfe'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
tlrlng leader. There were sobs and
aching hearts for him who was to Law
down the tasks of public life after
lorty-hve years cOnsecrated to his
eountry'S service. All eyes were To-
cused upon the tall commanding figure
or him who would henceforth be
known as First in war. first in peace
ana first in the hearts of his country
men, 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
tace himself from public notice. The
people followed him with moistened
eyes and tear stained cheeks. A great
moan went over the assembled hosts
like the murmurings 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 himr'
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 out 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 e. Gladstone, after
half a 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 parry they
belonged, knew that a 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 a great leader of men has |
been working for the good of his Sell |
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. /
Nor' 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 |
a right to peace" So we look upon .
the Mount VernOns and the Hermit .
ages and the Hawardens as the havens
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 a going home to receive ms
eternal reward. When Paul SAID; /
have fought a good fight. have fin
ished nv course. l have kept the
faith Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of Righteousness" he
meant simply this: ''Friends, for years
I have been engaged in an eXhausting
struggle I 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 n right to look upon death today
not as going down into the grave but
as ascending to a throne. 1t is going
home. It is going to one of the man
sions of heaven which Christ has pre-
pared for those that love him.
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 It did seem as though we
,ouId not give him up; but, as the time
,ame for his departure, l visited him
and prayed with him. Then after l
had finished, with his weak voice ne
continued my prayer as follows: 20
God. thank thee that I have not an
auemv In all the world. thank thee
hat the world is filed with good peO-
ole. If it be thy will. let me go back
10 nv work. but If not, l have so many
lear ones on the other side, take me to
hem and to thy glory" Yes, Francis
Murphy. we know what was In your
1eart. Lying upon your sickbed, you
,ouId see the dear departed friends