USA > West Virginia > The West Virginia pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal church. Sermons from living ministers. With personal sketches of the authors > Part 7
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It is precisely his having the image of God in an earthen vessel, that while made somewhat lower than the angels, he occupies a higher position than they in respect to the affairs of this world."*
The human body is also earthly, by reason of that upon which it subsists-air, water and food, both ani- mal and vegetable.
The phraseology of the text is peculiar : "Our earthly house of this tabernacle." Evidently the Apostle institutes a comparison between the human body and the Jewish tabernacle. The tabernacle was of very flexible and light material. It was portable and was moved from place to place in the wilderness, for temporary services. It was soon pitched and used, then it was as soon taken down and carried forward for similar use elsewhere, till it was superseded by the greater glory of the temple, " Whither the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel." And how fragile are we. How sensitive
*McClintock and Strong, vol. 1. Also see Psalms viii : 5, and Heb. ii : 6,7
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to pain. How constantly exposed to danger and in- jury. How subject to disease, and how surely des- tined to dissolution. The Psalmist beautifully de- scribes the frailty of our human nature : "Thou turn- est man to destruction ; and sayest return, ye chil- dren of man. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday, when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they are as asleep ; in the morning they are like grass, which groweth up; in the morning it flourisheth, ' and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth." Hence the prayer: "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is ; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth ; and mine age is as nothing before thee ; verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity."
When one determines to build a house, the idea of a tenant or occupant enters into the plan, and the building is designed with reference to the conven- ience and comfort of the occupant. Thus has our Creator made our bodies with infinite care for the tenant-the immortal - part. A house, while occu- pied by a good tenant, is attractive and inviting. It affords shelter from the storm and protection from heat and cold and danger. Its inmates, too. and asso- ciations make it the most delightful of all earthly retreats. This is especially true, if the religion of Jesus Christ holds sway in the household. Its groves and lawns, its flowers and birds, its fragrant breath and interior comforts make it the most desirable place on earth. Every breach is repaired. The founda- tions are preserved; the walls are carefully guarded against decay; broken panes are removed and new ones supplied, and the whole structure is kept in a state of neatness and preservation. But, let the ten- ant leave the house unoccupied, how changed the view. Soon, dead branches hang upon the trees; the beautiful lawn is overgrown with weeds and thistles; the choicest flowers which filled the air with their sweet perfume, now perish for the want of at- tention. The foundations of the house give way, the
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walls curve and crumble, the roof is broken, and no longer affords any shelter from the storm as the wild winds of heaven sigh"mournfully through the appertuures, while gloom and desolateness settle down upon the scene. Night birds gather upon its walls, reptiles crawl while serpants hiss and drag their loathsome and dreaded forms around its ruins; and rather than enter in and dwell there, we turn away from the desolation with shrinking and dread.
The human body is an "earthly house ;" the soul is the tenant. While the body is inhabited, clothed and kept in repair, it is beautiful and attractive. The step is elastic, the cheek blooms with the beauty of health, the eye flashes with the light of life, and the countenance glows with the honest love that thrills the heart. Pleasant and kind words dwell upon the tongue, while deeds of kindness win our love. But let the soul be summoned hence-at once the step falters, the cheek grows pale, the eye is dull and sunken, while the countenance grows languid and haggard. The tongue refuses to repeat the name of the most trusted friend. The [ extremities grow cold and the dews of death settle upon the brow. Life's vital current is stagnant, the pulse fails to measure the passing moments; the heart throbs no longer; the tenant is gone ; the earthly house is fallen ; the body is in the grave, and the mourners go about the streets. Putrifaction sets in. Loathsome creatures take pos- session of the body, and we shrink from contact with the object which we have so much admired and loved.
And this separation of the soul and body seems to be a necessity ; not simply because it has been so or- dained of God, but in the very nature of the case it is a necessity. The soul has come forth from God, and is in a state of exile-lodging awhile as a ban- ished prisoner in the earthly house, with the bolts and bars of immortality hedging it about. Thus im- prisoned, it cannot get back to God, for "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor corrup- tion cannot inherit incorruption." This ballast must be thrown off so that the soul may rise. These earth- works must be taken apart and thrown down. The
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prison door must be opened by the touch of death. Then the fetters fall off, and the soul is free to spread her wings and mount and soar away to its native heaven.
While there is much about death in the breaking up of all the associations of life and the pangs of dissolution, yet to the good, death has no terror. The fear of death is removed, its sting has been extracted, the strength of the law has been exhausted upon him who has conquered death, and all beyond the grave is beautiful and inviting, because we have the victo- ry through our Lord Jesus Christ. The gloom of the tomb has disappeared, like the mists of the morning before the rising of the sun of righteousness.
"The graves of all his saints He'll bless And soften every bed."
We observe that in our text the future safety and happiness of the good are clearly asserted. They have a house-eternal-in the heavens. You and I have looked with pleasing awe upon the magnificent Capitol of the United States, with its massive dome lifting itself in its grand proportions hundreds of feet towards the sky. Men delight to look upon princely palaces with costly surroundings, and with all the appointments of royalty. We fancy the crowded me- tropolis, whose spires pierce the clouds and direct the eyes of the thronging multitudes heavenward. We remember the Centennial buildings and grounds of 1876, in Philadelphia, with their thousands of flags and banners fluttering and trembling in the winds. Also the emblems and productions of other nations. The beautiful lawns, the well-shaded walks, the cool and inviting retreats, the little lakes, the jet- ting fountains, the singing of birds, and the hun- dreds of thousands of people who thronged the enchanted place. day after day, for months, while the strains of sacred and martial music with National airs fell upon the ear from morning until evening- making up a scene of beauty and joy, which was both the wonder and admiration of the world. But what are all these, and more, compared with that city whose builder and maker is God ? Of which Jesus has said,
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"In my Father's House there are many mansions." "A building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." That vast metropolis of the universe. The home of angels, and the spirits of the just made perfect. Where Jesus presides and reigns. You remember it has been measured by an angel with a golden reed, in John's presence. The founda- tions of its walls are garnished with all manner of precious stones. Its walls are great and high. It has twelve gates of pearl. The names of the twelve Apostles are written in heaven's dialect upon its foundations. The city lieth four square, and the length is as great as the breadth. The length, and the breadth, and the height are equal. Story upon story it towers, as clear as transparent glass. There is no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it. It has no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God lightens it, and the Lamb is the light there- of. There, the tabernacle of God is with men. There,
God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. There, there is no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. There, are the hundred and forty-four thousand, having their Father's name writ- ten in their foreheads. There, the voice of praise is as the sound of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; while the celestial choristers sweep their harp strings and sing the new song before the throne. There, are those who are redeemed from the earth, and in whose mouth there was found no guile, for they stand without fault before the throne of God. They compose a great company-far beyond human computation-of all nations, kindred, peoples and tongues. They are clothed with white robes, and they have palms in their hands. They cry with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. While they sing all the angels round about fall before the throne on their faces and worship God, saying, "Amen ! blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever."
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These singers to whom the angels respond, "are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that siteth upon the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living foun- tains of water, and God shall wipe away tears from their eyes." O, what a home for the soul! What a building of God! What a city! But only pure and holy ones occupy the house of many mansions- eternal in the heavens. And on our part, the most thorough preparation must be made, so that we may be " meet to be partakers of an inheritance among the saints in light." Hence it is written, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Who would not practice any amount of self-denial, bear any cross, or submit to any reproach, in order to secure a home in these everlasting habitations ? For one, I cannot af- ford to miss Heaven. Let it cost what it may, by the grace of God, Heaven must and shall be my home. Nor can you afford to run any risk in that direction. You and I have too many bright flowers blooming " over there," in the garden of the Lord, to be indifferent about the future home of the soul- dear loved ones up yonder, robed and' crowned and saved, who bend down over the shining battlements of the city of our God, beckoning us away from these rude and thorny scenes, and waiting, almost impa- tiently, till we are ready, and until God shall have accomplished his purposes with us. Then the order shall be given, and we shall strike our tents and "come to join Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon our heads."
It is the privilege of all Christians to have the as- surance contained in the text: "For we know," etc. What a blessed privilege thus to live. Oh, what joy- ous liberty and freedom from fear may be ours! Truly it is blessed to be able to say, " For me to live is Christ,
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and to die is gain." Who can feel safe short of this knowledge ? This is a life of peril. It is a scene of constant strife and watching. The allurements of the world are around us. We have to meet the shrewd- ness and the "well-circumstanced " temptations of Satan so long as we remain in the flesh. The infirm- ities of our fallen nature are upon us. The pains of dis- ease lay hold of us. We have to stand by the graves of our withered and lost hopes. The cold and chil- ing storms of adversity and disappointment beat upon us. Separation by death comes. Family ties are rudely severed. Children and parents and companions are torn asunder by the destroyer. Graveyards and tomb- stones are in every neighborhood. Habiliaments of mourning meet us on every hand. Hearts-loving hearts-are smitten and in nearly every home on earth there is a vacant chair. How rapidly and suddenly do these earthly houses fall, and how we tremble as we look over the wrecks around us, and the query arises, who shall repair this desolation and ruin?
In answering this all important inquiry, we must turn to him, who said to the sorrowing ones, " I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Listen, ye stricken ones, to the comforter.
"Let not your hearts * be troubled ; * * X in my Father's house are many mansions ; if it were not so, I would not have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself ; that where I am, there ye may be also;" and "For if we believe that if Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him."
However, dark and threatening the storm that comes down upon our paths ; faith discerns the silver lining, indicating the light and the glory beyond. For though sin surrounds and temptations assail us ; in- firmities and disease may fall to our lot, and passing away be written upon everything coming within the range of our vision, while like autumn we be thrown over the face of the earth; yet the finger of God comes out and inscribes in characters of living light upon the threatening skies, as they grow brighter before the
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vision of our faith, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eter- nal in the heavens."
I have read of the so-called Island of Gibralter, in Lake Erie, near Put-in-Bay, with its stone castle, its turrets and towers, erected by a banker, in the days of his opulence. To those around his Gibralter, he dispensed noble hospitalities; he sustained a little church nigh at hand; splendid saloons and airy chambers were open to summer uses and enjoyments, for Christian ministers. As many as an hundred cler- gymen have been seen at one time, recruiting in the beautiful shade, the guests of the great financier. But the breath of misfortune has blasted the scene, and now, the castle has been bolted, the airy halls closed, the once well-trimmed sod is grown wild, the shell paved walks are washed and rugged; and the gloom of neglect and solitude hang like a pall over this once brilliant home of wealth, of power and of worldly ambition. Thus, often, come and go, earthly possessions with their greatness, their grandeur and their beauty. But, Christian friends, though you and I may have no earthly Island Gibralter, adorned by all of the appointments of wealth, our Bible tells of a place where moth and rust corrupt not, nor do thieves break through. There we lay up our treas- ure, and there our hearts are also. Its builder and maker is God. His resources are infinite. The hand of power shall never bar its gates against the heirs of the kingdom. The golden streets are far beyond the floods of time, nor shall the pall of gloom and decay ever settle upon that scene. But with our sainted Dr. William Hunter we may sing :
" My heavenly home is bright and fair ; Nor pain nor death can enter there; Its glittering towers the sun outshine : That heavenly mansion shall be mine.
Let others seek a home below, Which flames devour, or waves o'erflow ; Be mine the happier lot to own, A heavenly mansion near the throne.
Then fail the earth, let stars decline, And sun and moon refuse to shine, All nature sink and cease to be, That heavenly mansion stands for me."
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This house belongs to God ; the text so states. "It is a building of God ;" and Jesus said, " In my Father's house are many mansions." And yet, " we have it." What a happy thought, just as our children have the houses that belong to us. Our children have rights and privileges at home in the enjoyment of which we protect them. We are more careful to pro- vide a home and an estate for the children than for ourselves. And it is a great joy to a parent to know that a child loves its home. How pleasing it is to our heavenly father to know that we, as his children, love the place he has prepared for us; and we are joyfully hastening and singing on towards the home of the soul.
And me thinks we'll not be strangers in our father's house ; but we shall know each other there. It seems to me, that it would rob heaven of almost half its glory, if I should not recognize there, in some way, those who have been my nearest and dearest friends on earth. What family sociability there will be when we all get home from our varied wanderings, and scenes of conflict and conquest. How shall we de- light to rehearse, in heaven's dialect, the incidents of the journey, as we traveled home-its sorrows and its joys, and draw the contrast. " As we have heard, so do we now see, in the city of our God." We have read and sung of Jesus ; but now we behold the king in his beauty. We used to hear that parted friends should meet again, who have loved; and here we all are, father and mother, brother and sister, parents and children.
" And then for joy we'll fold our wings, And loud the lovely sonnet sing- We're safe at home."
Lastly : Believers know whither Christ has gone, and the way we know. We well understand our rela,- tions to our heavenly father. "Our conversation is in Heaven." " And we walk in the light as God is in the light." "Enoch was translated, that he should not see death ; and was not found, because God had translated him; for, before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God." David cried
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out, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest." Job, as the earthly house of his tabernacle was tottering to its fall, said, with unfaltering faith, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." And just as Paul went forth from prison to death, he wrote to Timothy : " I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course ; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day." So has it been with many of our personal friends, whom we well remember. In life and in death the Holy Ghost bears his witness with our hearts, that we are born of God, and heaven is our home.
I remember, as my now sainted father was dying, and the family were gathered about the bed of death, he rallied; and amid the raptures of the hour, he said : " I seem to be traveling in a land unearthly in appearance, stretching out in an illimitable prospect before my vision. I walk amid fields of greenest ver- dure ; flowing rivers and running brooks; shaded groves and blooming flowers ; the companions of other years accompany me, and the countenances of depart- ed friends cheer me." Here the pilgrimage of life reached its last step, the valley of the shadow of death was traversed to its most distant verge ; when the light of an eternal day broke in upon his soul, and he whispered, "I am almost there," and entered into rest. My mother and six children of the seven have joined him in the land of rest. To- gether they rest in the family burying ground, at Ball's Cross Roads, near Arlington, Virginia. Our two older children lie buried upon the. Alleghany mountains, in Western Maryland, within the bounds of my first circuit, West Virginia Conference. A few days ago, our little grandson, Franklin, a beautiful child, suddenly died, and now " sleeps in the valley," in Marcellus, New York. Their earthly houses have fallen, the tabernacles have sunk in ruinous decay ; prostrate they lie in the earth. The citadel has been stormed by disease, and the strong-hold has been car- ried. The winding-sheet and shroud are the flags of
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truce displayed, showing that they have surrendered to the last enemy; and the badges of mourning on every hand, are the black banners waving in token of the cruel triumph, over the prostrate forms of those whom we have so tenderly loved.
Now, all this is the result of sin. God did not or- dain all this mischief and ruin. It is the work of Satan. An enemy hath done this. But, blessed be God, Jesus Christ has come to destroy the works of the devil, and repair the wreck that has come upon us. He will bring together our scattered dust ; and by his resurrection, forever will recover us from the grasp of the destroyer. He will call us forth from our dusty beds ; and put upon us the robes of his own immortality. For, although we are sown in corrup- tion, we shall be raised in incorruption ; sown in dis- honor, but raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, but raised a spir- itual body. "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heav- enly." And we shall be satisfied when we awake with his likeness. We look out over the earth as one vast burying ground-a valley of dry bones; but Jesus, the universal deliverer, shall open the gates of death and release the captives. The Prophet Hosea foresaw the oncoming gospel of resurrection power, and through him God speaks: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave ; I will redeem them from death ; O death, I will be thy plague; O grave, I will be thy destruction." And when the trumpet's blast shall roll through earth and sky, we shall start into a new life, while the parting heavens disclose the descending Son of God, coming to gather up his jewels; then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the change shall be wrought and the work shall be done; " so when this corruptible shall have put on incorrup- tion, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory ? * * Thanks be unto
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God which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."
"And when Jesus doth appear, Soul and body Shall his glorious image bear,"
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, we will be glad and re- joice in his salvation."
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Now, should an unconverted man read the forego- ing discourse, he will not find a word of comfort, nor a ray of hope in it for him, while out of Christ. Why? Simply because his failure to receive Christ, keeps him beyond the range of these "exceeding great and precious promises ;" and while he main- tains his present attitude, there is naught before him, " But a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
I once stood by the bedside of a man who knew his end was nigh. He was the head of a family-intel- ligent, and a superior business man. He had been the subject of numerous, earnest efforts and prayers, but he was a man of intemperate, bad habits. He knew he was soon to die and meet his God. By his request I sang " The Precious name." He then asked me to read the 23d Psalm. He remained quiet and attentive till I read, " yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," etc. "Stop," said he, "I can't say that. O, if I could say that, it would be worth worlds to me! Here I am about to die, and I'm not ready. Jesus is not mine. No one can go with me. I'm so lonely and nothing but darkness and ruin before me. O, if I could only say, I fear no evil; but I can't. What shall I do ? What shall I do ? Won't you pray for me ?" I again prayed for him, and bade him farewell. I never again saw him. Soon after this he died as he had lived ; at least so far as human judgment could decide. But, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the un-
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righteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon ?" Then he will stand within range of the promises, and in the light of God-in companionship with Jesus he may pass through the valley of the shadow of death, to fairer worlds on high, and enter the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
PERSONAL SKETCH.
REV. ASHFORD HALL was born in Preston county, West Vir- ginia, December 22, 1826. His early life was spent on a farm in his native county. He had limited educational advantages, but improved all he had in such a way as to get a pretty thorough knowledge of the English language, and such rudimentary math- ematics as were then taught by the district pedagogue. He at- tended several terms at the Northwestern Virginia Academy, where he studied the higher branches, and thus acquired a fair education.
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