Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-04-10
And now I must interpret for YOU at

And now must interpret for you at
least in part the mystery. l may not
think or say that this awful tragedy was
punishment to him. In the solemn
presence of death, when his soul has
already been judged by God, it is not for
me to accuse or excuse the departed.
One thing is very certain that God in-
tends by this calamity to excite you and
me to serious introspection. Let US be
honest with ourselves in the face of the
departed, and let each one put himself
these questions: Do carry out the pre-
cept of the Apostle, "Bear We one
another burdens?" Have helped this
poor man to carry life's burdens? Far
from assisting him, have l not been,
| perhaps, stumbling block in his way?
Far from aiding him to carry out his
good resolves, have not encouraged his
Weakness? Far from steadying him in
his honest efforts to stand straight have
| not contributed towards his fall ? II
/ my conscience reproaches me, | should
smte my breast and cry out: 20 God be
merciful to me sinner. This man has
sinned, but my sin has been the greater.
His was the sin of the weakling: mine
was the sin of the strong man..
| Your presence here this morning in
such large numbers proves evidently
that in life John Hoke had many friends,
and that in death he has many friends
l am gratifed that you knew and ad-
mired all that was good in him. Were |
to accuse anyone of you of not being his
friend, should cause you grief; and yet,
brethren, l must be honest. marvel
that man who had SO many friends,
should have found no friend at the times
when he most needed a friend. He
needed friend when temptation be-
sieged his soul like the rushing torrent
that carried off his helpless body. When
he was about to squander his money he
needed friend who would have princi-
pie enough to despise selfish and sordid
interests, and kindly deny him that for
which he craved. He needed friends
that would refuse to take from him the
preferred glass, and who would give him
the example of sobriety. When it was
feared that fatal accident had befallen
John Hoke, you were much concerned,
and when your fears gave way to the
awful reality, intense was your pain and
SO row. You prepared his lifeless body
that you might behold once more the
familiar features that you had loved in
! life. You exclaimed as you viewed the
lace that could no longer recognize you:
'He was my friend" and bending over
his remains in deep sorrow and anguish
you might have discerned nearby, with
! the eyes Of your soul, a mysterious III
scriptlon. You could not understand the
characters. ! will interpret them: IAN
| you that pass by the way, attend and
see, if you have been friend to me.
You say: "He was my friend" We're
you his friend? Far from being his
| friend did you not, perhaps, act towards
him the part of "A wolf in Sleeps cloth
ing? Far from steadying him, were you
not at times, and perhaps often, the dl-
rect or indirect occasion of his fall Oh
what a pity what a shame! that man
! like this should have been led astray not
! by hirelings but by friends. All Breth
rem, let US heed the admonltion of the
| Apostle: ut is now the hour for US to
rise from sleep" Let US no longer de-
ceve ourselves. The wolf is at our
| door.
The pagan contemns the weakling and
casts him aside to perish, because he l.,
pagan: and if you pretend To be
Christian and do not understand your
duty towards weak brother, and con-
tribute toward his downfall, you are
worse than a pagan. In this come ton
| let US ask ourselves seriously, do We
not make too light of the awful scurge
of intemperance that works such &, eat
havoc in this community? What are
we doing to preserve our boys and our
young men from the contagion? On
seeing that they can partake as plenti-
fully as their older fellows, do we not
make them subject of Jest, whereas
1t is not enough that you yourselves
be sober men: you should give your
selves no rest until every member of
your families and every member Of this
community leads sober life.
If the lips that are now sealed in
death could open, they might appeal to
Us for aid in the words of holy writ:
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at
least you my friends; for the hand of
Lord hath touched me-" We have of
fered prayer and sacrifice for the repose
Of the soul of your departed friend Let
as continue to pray for him, and let it
not be said of US, "Out of sight. out ot
mind" You who have borne with him
the burden of the day and the heats, be
mindful of your friend He may need
your prayers. In the words of Mother
Church pray often: Eternal rest give
unto him, 0 Lord, and let perpetual
light shine upon him.