The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-07
Preparation for Death Was the
 Pastors Theme
PRACTICAL EASADVANCED
Father coyle Gives Interpretation of Text-Choir Renders Webcr's Mass In G With Mrs. Severin
 As Solo Soprano.

the services were well attended. At high mass at 10:30 o'clock the Rev Father Shultz was celebrant and the
 Rev. Father Coye read the scripture
 lessons in English and delivered a sermon.
 The choir sang Weber's beautiful
 mass in G, with Mrs. Severin as solo soprano.
 Father Coyle taking for his text,
 For he was al the point of death,"
 spoke in part as follows:
 What Is the picture that rises before
 our minds eye when we hear it said
 of anyone what the Savior heard of the
 rulers son mentioned in the gospel
 of today. That he was at the point
 of death!' A darkened room with
 hushed voices and cautious footsteps;
 on the bed pallid face, and bIoodless lips and sunken eyes that gaze wist- fully in the faces of those present, in
 the search of hope, when hope there Is none.
 A gloomy picture in sooth, this. and
 one on which we dwell not for long.
 As quickly as may be we turn from
 the death haunted chamber to the busy work "a day world outside. We care not for sadness. We even feel a grievance if one near to us or dear
 10 us lies i'll, for this brings to us an unpleasant train of thoughts. and
 at such times we must needs reflect
 on the dread vistant that ever since
 our first faint cry of infancy is daily, dra pfp,r ipb times. with a shock realize that Il time is coming all too soon. when
 we, like those we love, like the rulers
 son, will be also at the point of death.
 Yes, We turn to the world with it's varied dlstractions and the world we
 are forced to confess, has many dis
 fractions and many q joy. With all
 it's grief and woe and wailing, with
 all it's pain and sorrow and loss, with all it's blasted hopes and disillusions
 and disenchantments 1t is, withal, d
 right pleasant place wherein to dwell. There is place there for every talent, a place for literature. science. music
 and art, place for politics or patriot
 ism, a place for laughter, love and
 song. Yes. viewing the world from the
 ordinary standpoint, we confess that it is pleasant powerful and great.
 Well said, indeed, viewing it from the
 ordinary standpoint. But is that the standpoint of Christianity and Christ? Were we placed in the world
 only to serve the world. to bring to it's advancement, it's material progress and utility, the gifts of the mind or heart
 with which God endowed us, or were we placed in the world to save our immortal souls?
 I4o, he lies at the point of death, What will be said of you. of me- When that dread hour comes from what standpoint will we view the world? Will we view it from the same stand
 point as now? Do we not act illogi-
 cally? You admit, l admit, our pres
 ence here in church today is an ad
 mission that God made us to know
 Him. to love Him. to serve Him, and
 thereby to save our souls, and yet We view the world from a worldly stand
 point. We will not think of our last end. Nay. to banish unpleasant thoughts we stihe conscience and plunge madly into the vortex of world ly pleasures, into things of the earth
 earthly.
 But death is coming You and l shall surely die. Gods universal decree has gone forth. None may escape. When 1 we, like the rulers son at the point of | death look back on the years that are | flown. we shall see perhaps a life of sue l cess, a life of honor, life wherein am bition was gratified, and are the envied | of our fellow men. Yes, but if, to gain l that we neglected Gods law, and cared l naught for His commandments, and neglected the precepts of His holy church? What if we never took to heart the words, 1 What shall man give in exchange for | his soul?" Oh, when death draws nigh, the worldly man will see that all earth's pleasures are transitory, fieeting; that ail 1 earth's joys are dead sea fruit; that | .Smi.es of joy and tears of woe, Deceitful shine. decetful flow, And fancys flush and reasons ray, l Serve but to light lfe's troubled way. | And love and hope and beautys bloom l Are blossoms gathered for the tomb.' ''Rememher thy last end and thou shalt | never sim If we did not banish the