“Christian’s Death Desirable.”
“A Sermon preached by Rev. W. Franklin Kone, on Sunday March 10th, 1878, at the 1st Baptist Church, Huntsville, Ala. In memory of the late James B. Strode.”
From The Huntsville Independent, Thursday, March 14, 1878, page 2.
Text.—I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Phil., I,23.
“No instinct is more universal than the love of life…But life has its period as well as its obligation. These over, our love of it should no longer attach us to this world, or render death repulsive. It is our privilege to be prepared, and by divine grace, able then, cheerfully to welcome the pale messenger which calls us from this to a better world.”
Kone gave the text as quoted “by the deceased a few days before his death.” He made four main points about “death to the Christian” in the memorial sermon.
- Death to the Christian will soon become desirable on a mere physical account.
- Death to the Christian is desirable because knowledge to a greater extent than possible is necessary to the perfection of our being.
- Death to the Christian is desirable because in this life his happiness is incomplete.
- Death to the Christian is desirable because in this life he is morally and spiritually imperfect, and must look to another for full deliverance.
“Death will sever the last of chains, and give us perfect freedom.”
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where rivers of pleasure upon the bright plains
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns.
There saints of all ages in harmony meet,
There Saviour and brethren transported to greet,
And the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll
And the smiles of the Lord are the feast of its soul.
2 comments:
Very good! Who wrote the poem at the end? I would add that it is desirable for the believer to die because then he will be where his treasure is. It is always good to look at the fruits of one's labors, methinks.
E. T. Chapman
Amen!
The author of the hymn quoted was William Augustus Muhlenberg, who was an Episcopal minister, born in Philadelphia September 16, 1796. He established St. Paul's College at Flushing, Long Island. He also founded St. Luke's Hospital in New York City, as well as St. Johnland, a home for the needy. Additionally, he was one of the editors of the Episcopal hymnal Hymns Suited to the Feasts and Fasts of the Church. He died April 6, 1871. A book on his life and work gives the original hymn as having 6 stanzas with 8 lines in each stanza.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Life_and_Work_of_William_Augustus_Mu/_7U7AAAAYAAJ
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