Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-07-26
CalnaQe
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmaae. ID. ID.

Vs.
temperance evangelist. The text is
III Timothy iv, Z, II have fought good
fight"
Even under the brightest and hap
piest conditions IL is a sad sight to see
great man unbuckle his armor and
lay down the battleax he has welded
In the front Of LIES struggles. When
John Adams was about to be inaugu-
rated president OF the United States
the assembled multitude had no cheers
and vociferstions 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
forty-fve years consecrated to his
eountry's service. All eyes were To-
eused upon the tall, commanding figure
or him who would henceforth be
known as First In war, first In peace
and 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
FACE himself from public notice. The
people followed him with moistened
eyes and tear stained cheeks. A great
moan went over the assembled hosts.
Ike the murmurings OF many waters.
He turned in the doorway and looked
back moment and then waved n silent
farewell. And all up and down the
lines went the valedictory: "God bless
MIN! God bless hint God bless bimr,
When Andrew Jackson handed over
the reins of government to Martin
an buren and started home, his jour
hey to his beloved Hermitage was
ike a 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 70
lead them in the councils OF peace and
OF war
When William Il. Gladstone. after
half century in the service of his
country, resigned the premiership and
passed out of the house of commons
Tor the last time, all the members
arose and uncovered. Those men, no
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 wss 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 10
NIL bis place, and they lamented his
going.
A Rest Well Earned.
After great leader OF men has
been working for the good of his fell
low countrymen for twenty or thirty
or forty years the world may regret to
lose his services, but il has to bow to
the inevitable and recognize the right
OF the tired worker to rest. mo!
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
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 n going home TO receive his
eternal reward. When Paul said: IT
have fought good fight. / have fin
ished my course. j have kept the
faith. Henceforth there Is laid up for
me n 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 right to look upon death today
not as going down into the grave, but
as ascending TO throne 1t Is going
home. 1t is going TO one OF the man
sions or heaven which Christ has pre-
pared for those that love him.
I was never more impressed with
this fact than when l 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 falling
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 I
had finished, with his weak voice he
continued my prayer as follows: 20
God, i thank thee that have not an
enemy In all the world thank thee
that the world is filed with good peo-
pie. Ii IL be thy will, let me go back
TO my work. but IL 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 you. You could |
hear the heavenly chorus chanting a |
welcome for your celestial advent |
Your death was not to be an oblitera- |
ZION. 1t was to be an ascension. /
coronation, an enforcement. Hail. |
thou assembled spirit! We today re-
Joice with thee In thy heavenly rap
ture. Hail, o thou enthroned warrior!
Hail!
When stonewall Jackson. the chiyas
rous fhilfp Sidney OF the Confederate |
army was dying, shot by the bullets /
OF his own men at Charlottesville,
he had beautiful vision OF heaven. |
lie saw smooth flowing river, where |
ne could moisten his parched and few
cred lips. He saw his loved ones on
the opposite bank waving to him In |
Ealutation- And in rapture he raised
himself and cried out, Let us pass
over TO the other side and rest under
the shadows OF the trees" and then
fell back dead. So Francis Murphy.
N IL los IL