Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1921-01-19
John Akin.
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Continued from opposite page.)
Kingdom of God of which you are a
part. Take back those gifts and car
nv them into the home that you have
dedicated to God and so use them that
the influence that emulates from that
Christian home shall be for the up
building of the Kingdom of the Lord
Jesus Christ" And how obediently
he followed.
Since I came into connection with
this church l have been trying to
think of any real undertaking in
which this church has engaged that
does not bear the finger prints, yes,
the heart prints, of this man of God.
He walked with God that he might en-
joy the companionship of God; yes,
and the companionship of those who
walked with God. Oh, how many
times have heard him say, GLOW
value the friends haveefound in the
church," and he did. How often, in
that little room, l have heard him
plead with young people, ind your
friends in the church. They have
helped me SO much-so much" AL
ways thinking about what the church
had given to him and again remind
ing us of what the church had brought
to him, seemingly all unmindful of the
wonderful contributions he had made
to the church.
Again, he walked with God that he
might demonstrate to the world and
he did-that a man could be a devot-
ed follower Of Jesus Christ, and every
day active in business world with
keen competitions and great tempa-
tions. A business man-yes. and
know that he regarded his business as
a sacred trust gwen to him by AL
mighty God, as truly trust from God
as the work that strive to do.
Again, he walked with God that he
the Child of God. This reward he
was constantly receiving from God as
from time to time l have heard him
say, "The Christian life is altogether
worth while if we get nothing more
than the daily consciousness Of Gods
approval; if we get nothing more than
the joy of service, it is altogether
worth whie." How often we have heard
him say words like those, but he be-
ieved in something more than that; he
believed in the eternal reward re-
served for the Child of God and he has
gone to receive that reward. A few
days ago,-oh, so few days ago-he
was in the full vigor of splendid man
hood, in the full vigor of health, and
oh, he had SO many plans, so much to
look forward to, so much in his bust
ness life, so many plans for his church
life, so many hopes for his commune
ty, so many things to work for and
pray for in his home life, but he has
gone out; to all these things he gave
the full measure of devotion while he
was here on earth, neglecting nothing,
stunning no task, however hard. His
loss seems irreparable he was so close
to us all, So friendly with us all, so
helpful to us all, but could he speak
today he would say to every one of
us, "Take up the tasks I have laid
down, carry them on to completion"
Take the task he gives you gladly, let
his work your pleasure be, answer
quickly when he calls, "Here am I.
Send me, send me-"
He leaves to his church wonderful
legacy, a legacy of noble life hero
icaly lived. He leaves to the communi-
ty an untarnished name. He leaves
to his home the memory of hus-
hands devotion and a fathers love.
He leaves to me, his pastor, the mem
DRY of answering fidelity, unswerv-
ing loyalty, deep and abiding friend
ship. Through ten happy years OF
service we worked together. How
much l am going to miss him Goo
only knows, but 1 am thankful more
than words can tell for the fact
that we have had him and that he has
given to the church and to the com
munity and to US, as individuals, 81
much-so much.
We commit his body to the grount
| in the full assurance that the sou
| that belonged to God has been re
turned. He has been given abundan
entrance into that place reserved fo
the people of God. We shall try t.
be content to trust and hope and
"Some time, when all life's lesson
have been learned,
| And suns and star for evermore hav
set,
The things which our weak Judgment
here have spurned,
The things DER which we grieved wit
lashes wet,
Will flash before US, and life's darI
night,
AS stars shine most in deeper tints o
blue;
And we shall see how all Gods plan
were right,
And what most seemed reproof wa
| love most true"