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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
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LIBRARY 
 OF THE 
 
 ««1YER8ITY OF ILLINOIS 
 
A MEMORIAL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Rev. Orlando Burdett Stone 
 
 PREPARED BY HIS WIFE 
 
 BLOOMINGTON, ILL. 
 1889 
 
(7 J£4-6 ml- S 
 
 B 
 
 o 
 
 
 r- 
 
 ^JP^HIRTY-SEVEN years have passed since on the morning 
 of the 8th of October, 1851, my life was united with that 
 of the subject of this Memorial. How swiftly they have 
 flown, freighted with their changeful scenes, eastward and west- 
 ward; laden with joys; busy with sowing and reaping; blessed 
 with new lives intrusted to us, and hopes in which we were all 
 sharers. Strange that we two must share pain and helplessness 
 also, but so our Father ordered, and He who led us into the 
 shadows gave also his rod and his staff to comfort us. 
 
 Now all is changed. He, the companion of my life, is gone 
 from us. I look at the empty sofa, and at the empty chair, and 
 know he will never fill them again. Love could not stay the 
 tide of disease; could not assuage suffering; nor could it shut 
 out the pale, grim messenger; nay, rather love has followed the 
 freed spirit into the unseen and rejoiced in his unspeakable joy; 
 has felt his happiness in greeting loved ones, and has shared 
 with him the rapturous gaze upon the face of Him, without 
 whose presence, there would be no heaven. To me there are 
 two lives now, for I seem scarcely to be sundered in spirit from 
 him who has been summoned hence, and yet am still earthly, 
 with earthly lives about me, upon whom my own life should fall 
 as a blessing. 
 
 It is partly with the hope that I may contribute a little to 
 such a result in the gratification and profit of friends, that this 
 brief Memorial Volume is prepared. The review has been 
 
 5 
 
 I 09 1115 
 
fraught with pleasure to the one that is left, who now prays that 
 this many-sided aspect of a life, consecrated to the good of 
 others, may serve to prolong his influence, and the remem- 
 brances prove a benediction, fragrant to the glory of God. 
 
 6 
 
nRLANDO B. stone was born in Homer, N. Y., Sep- 
 tember 24, 1823. He received a religious training from 
 pious parents, and while a child listened to the earnest 
 preaching of the Rev. Alfred Bennett. The Spirit of God 
 from time to time impressed his heart, wooing him to Christ’s 
 service. At the age of sixteen the surrender was made, 
 and yet almost immediately doubts and fears beset him. 
 For two years he groped in darkness, when he decided 
 to act upon the light he had received and was baptized 
 by Rev. Edward Bright, then pastor of the Homer church 
 — now Dr. Bright of the Examiner, With this decision 
 came others. One was that he would always speak or pray in 
 the prayer-meeting if there was opportunity. Very soon another 
 matured — that he would acquire an education, whatever it might 
 cost him, and enter the ministry, God willing. His father died 
 while he was yet sixteen, leaving on him the care of a farm, an 
 invalid mother and eight younger children. While thus work- 
 ing the farm, he studied while others rested, at noon and till 
 eleven at night, and after spending less than eighteen months in 
 Homer Academy, entered the sophomore year of Madison Uni- 
 versity in the fall of 1847, graduating in 1850. The same year 
 he entered Rochester Theological Seminary. While there he 
 supplied the church in Attica about two years, preparing two 
 sermons each week. He was married on the 8th of October, 
 1851, and on the following Sabbath commenced his work in 
 Xenia, Ohio. In the following March he was ordained. Dr. D 
 B. Cheney, then of Columbus, preaching his ordination sermon. 
 All througli his course of study he had the foreign mission work 
 in view. Insurmountable obstacles prevented the realization of 
 this wish. Now a very precious work of grace attended his 
 labors, but he felt he was only tarrying there for further indica- 
 
 7 
 
tions of God’s will. These came in repeated and pressing invi- 
 tations to enter the home missions service, and resulted in our 
 sailing as home missionaries to California, in December, 1853. 
 His first pastorate was in a mining town, Nevada City, and his 
 first v:ork there was to harmonize elements, organize a church 
 and commence the erection of a house of worship. Here, as 
 it seemed to the writer, he laid himself anew upon God’s altar 
 with the absorbing desire to accomplish as much for the cause 
 of Christ as life and strength would permit. And this one 
 object never forsook him. It was a place for pioneer work. 
 Hardships and difficulties beset him. The church was built, 
 burned and rebuilt. He frequently visited the mining towns, 
 sometimes preaching in the gambling-saloons, with the card- 
 table for a pulpit, but always listened to respectfully. In Grass 
 Valley, four miles away, he organized a mission church, where a 
 third service was held every Sabbath. Thus four years were 
 spent. 
 
 An earnest call from the valley now reached him, and in 
 January, 1858, he left the mountains and commenced a pastorate 
 in San Jose. There, also, his first work after rallying the church 
 was to build a church edifice, which was of brick, entirely paid 
 for and, at that time, the best in the city. In Santa Clara, three 
 miles away, he organized a church and built a house of worship 
 for them. These two fields occupied his time and efforts on the 
 Sabbath, in prayer-meetings, pastoral work and revival seasons 
 for six years. 
 
 In March, 1864, we sailed again, homeward bound. The 
 next three years were spent among the churches of the West as 
 secretary of the Home Mission Society. The West, as then 
 defined by the Society, was all the field west of New York and 
 Pennsylvania. A sphere of greater responsibility was then 
 offered to him, as associate of Dr. Backus in the Home Mission 
 rooms, with choice of southern or western fields. But the 
 pastorate had his first love. After spending a short time with a 
 church in central New York, where there was a most interesting 
 revival, he accepted, in October, 1867, a call from the church 
 in Lafayette, Ind. Here was done the hardest work of his life. 
 The first year was blessed with a powerful work of grace. For 
 
 8 
 
thirteen weeks meetings were held continuously. During most 
 of the time morning meetings were held from eight till nine in 
 the conference room of the church, crowded with worshipers and 
 inquirers. Over seventy were baptized as the fruits of this 
 revival. At one time thirty-three were baptized in the canal, 
 among them his oldest son, the ice being cut for the occasion. 
 So pervading was the religious interest throughout the city that 
 the opera house was closed from lack of patronage. Each 
 winter the work was resumed with precious results. Two mis- 
 sions were established. In Chauncey, across the river, meet- 
 ings were held, resulting in the baptism of a large number, the 
 organization of a church of fifty members and the building of a 
 house of worship. To this mission church he gave a third ser- 
 vice on the Sabbath and pastoral watch care as long as he 
 remained in Lafayette. Also, the fine church edifice in which 
 the First church now worship was erected but not completed 
 before the close of his pastorate. While Mr. Stone was in 
 Lafayette he assisted Bro. Stimson, of Terre Haute, in revival 
 meetings, and also the church in Richmond, Ind. 
 
 After three years, malarial chills drove him to Illinois, and 
 in January, 1871, he settled with the First church in Rockford. 
 This church was imperiled by the division under Dr. Kerr. His 
 erroneous views had permeated the community. It was my 
 husband’s chief mission there to hold up a standard against these 
 destroying influences, and to save the church from ruin. Con- 
 versions and baptisms occurred, among whom were two of his 
 own children. The second winter was mostly spent in assisting 
 in meetings with Bro. Guy at Brimfield, Bro. Haighat Mendota, 
 and Brn. Fulton and Miner at Belvidere. In November, 1872, 
 he accepted the call of the Baptist church in Marengo. There, 
 after three weeks of discouraging effort, a glorious revival 
 resulted. God wondrously blessed the young people. One 
 evening sixteen young ladies in a Sabbath-class were baptized 
 together, and the next evening about an equal number of young 
 men from another class. The work was wide extended and 
 great numbers found Christ. One old man of eighty years was 
 baptized. The revival spirit seemed scarcely to leave the 
 church, and every winter there were renewed efforts, sweet 
 
 9 
 
refreshiags and new converts coming out on the Lord’s side 
 Here he was permitted to baptize his youngest son. Revival 
 meetings were also held at two out-stations with precious 
 results. The fragrance of these hallowed scenes was very sweet 
 in after years, when he could toil no more, and in memory he 
 lived over again the joyous harvest seasons of his life. 
 
 Thus far a remarkably strong constitution had sustained him 
 in doing double work in his various fields, yet he constantly 
 mourned his unfaithfulness. In the autumn of 1876 a call from 
 the church in Bloomington came, was finally listened to and 
 accepted and he commenced his labors here the first Sabbath in 
 November. Of his work in Bloomington I need not speak. A 
 suffering wife fell to his care in the fall of 1878. Time, strength 
 and sympathies were all taxed by day and by night. Everything 
 which a loving husband could do, he did. Yet his longing to 
 see another revival here led him into another series of meetings,, 
 which altogether broke down his over-strained system, and in 
 the midst of inquiring sinners and happy converts he ended his 
 work. This was early in 1880. Nine years of mutual com- 
 panionship in suffering have been spent, wherein we have 
 prayed together and praised God together; years in which he 
 ceased not one care for his wife until weakness compelled him; 
 years of very gradual decline, passing into extreme suffering, till 
 finally the weary one went peacefully to rest on the morning of 
 the 20th of February, 1889. To the smitten ones he leaves the 
 legacy of prayers and holy memories, which, God grant, may 
 bear like precious fruit till the joyous meeting of the “ sweet by 
 and by.” 
 
 10 
 
^jemittiscjensje 
 
The preceding sketch was prepared for, and read at, 
 the Memorial Service of March 12. Some incidents and 
 characteristics of Mr. Stone’s life are also recalled, which 
 may serve to fill the outline, and to photograph upon our 
 hearts his real manhood. 
 
HAVE never uttered a profane word, do not know the 
 taste of liquors, and have never used tobacco,” was a 
 ^ statement which in his later years the father made to his 
 sons. Surely, a watchful, parental eye was over the lad, and a 
 Divine Father was guarding the character of the boy, whose life 
 was to be spent in His service. The developments of his man- 
 hood began in his home, in his childhood where was the seed- 
 sowing, and the laying of foundations. There God met 
 him by His grace, breathing into him the new life of the 
 Christian. There the providence which early bereaved him of 
 a father, and threw upon him the heavy cares of a man, devel- 
 oped the strong forces of self-reliance within him. At his home 
 came to him the call to go and preach Christ, and there was 
 born the persistent purpose to obtain the necessary preparation, 
 though without apparent resources. 
 
 A passing notice should be given to the parents in that 
 home. Both were of New-England stock, possessed of earnest 
 piety and of sturdy common sense. His father, Thomas Stone, 
 came from Brimfield, Mass., and was one of those upright, 
 industrious, worthy pioneers, who gave Homer its high character 
 in Central New York. His first wife was reputed a most excel- 
 lent woman, and was the mother of eight children, of whom the 
 Rev. Marsena Stone, D. D., who has been both educator and 
 preacher, and for several years has given much time to the 
 colored ministry of the South, still lives and labors. His second 
 wife was Desire Wing, who bore him ten children, and who died 
 in 1 88 1, while living with her son. Watts Stone, in Chicago^ 
 She was a woman of strong character and superior mental- 
 abilities. While still with her little ones about her, health failed; 
 but from my first knowledge of her she has ever borne the 
 stamp of a happy Christian woman. Most naturally, her con- 
 versation would always fall upon religious themes. Though 
 
 13 
 
suffering physically and mentally beyond our power to under- 
 stand, one could scarcely be in her presence ten minutes, but 
 there would be some expression of loving trust in her Father 
 or of longing expectation of her Savior. An out-and-out 
 Christian woman, separate from the world, she lived in an 
 elevated sphere, which was recognized by all who knew her. 
 Orlando was the second child of this mother, and received from 
 both parents impressions which gave strength and tone to his 
 character. 
 
 Among the habits formed in his youth, was that of great 
 self-control, which was an abiding feature of his life. When 
 reviled, he answered not. One instance is recalled which well 
 illustrates his habit. It occurred at a church meeting in the 
 early days of California, when a member present was exceed- 
 ingly exasperating, purposely to draw forth bitter replies from 
 the pastor, and so ensnare him. He quietly waited till the 
 brother was through, then, with his usual manner, arose and 
 said, ‘‘we will close the meeting by singing the doxology.’’ 
 The trying member afterwards complained, “he don’t know 
 when he is abused.” 
 
 This self-control under trying circumstances, sustained him 
 in every ordeal through which he was called to pass. It shone 
 conspicuously in his long years of increasing helplessness and 
 suffering, when the agitation of his body was past control. 
 Wearisome days, and sleepless nights and excruciating pain 
 never drew from him a murmur or a groan. Like David, he 
 had set a guard over his lips that they should not transgress. 
 
 Akin to this was his strong decision of character. Conclu- 
 sions concerning his own course of action were soon reached, 
 and seldom did he have occasion to regret them. In his family, 
 too, when he had decided what was right for his children, it was 
 final. And, as in early life, his firm decisions moulded his 
 religious character and led him through all obstacles to the 
 ministry, so, in after life, they greatly enhanced his usefulness. 
 Like Paul he asked, “ Lord, what wilt thou have me to do,” ard 
 then, conferring not with flesh and blood, he did it. With him, 
 to decide was to act. Without halting or questioning, he moved 
 right along with a despatch which was sometimes surprising. 
 
 14 
 
One illustration is remembered just now. At a State Associa- 
 tion, he was appointed chairman of a committee to issue a 
 circular to his brethren, appealing for funds for the state work. 
 The next morning when some suggestions were made to him 
 about the circular, he replied that it was already written, 
 printed, and then ready for distribution among the brethren 
 before they should separate. I may add that the circular met 
 with a hearty response, more than supplying the deficiency. 
 
 Punctuality to his appointments was like the law of the 
 Medes and Persians.” He told his brethren if he was two 
 minutes late they might call him to account for it. Ordinarily, 
 he was as prompt in closing a meeting as in commencing it. 
 
 His convictions on doctrinal truths were positive. A thus 
 saith the Lord” was sufficient. He delivered his message as he 
 received it. He would sometimes say, “ no one knows the 
 temptations of the minister to turn aside from the plain, unpalat- 
 able truths of the Gospel, and pander to popular tastes.” But 
 the grace of God, and a sense of his accountability for the 
 immortal interests intrusted to him, held him to the high pur- 
 pose of preaching the truth plainly and letting God care for the 
 results. There was a time in the early part of his ministry, 
 when he had questionings upon the subject of the future punish- 
 ment of the wicked, and how he should present it. But they 
 were all solved in this decision — to invariably use the language 
 of Scripture when treating it. He had no more trouble with 
 that doctrine, but rather from the stronghold of truth, plead 
 with sinners to escape eternal wrath, by fleeing to Christ, the 
 Savior provided for them. 
 
 The distinctive principles which characterize his own denom- 
 ination were broadly comprehended and claimed as an honor- 
 able heritage. No one of these did he shrink from presenting 
 when occasion demanded. Such an occasion once occurred, 
 when the people of a certain town were greatly stirred by ques- 
 tions as to the mode and subjects of baptism. All the pro- 
 fessors of a Pedobaptist college came in to listen. After 
 replying to statements and arguments which had been adduced, 
 he challenged any one present to find an instance in which the 
 Greek word for baptize signified anything but immersion, prom- 
 
 15 
 
ising to give his library to the person who would do it. 
 Although the Greek professor excused his classes for several 
 days to make the research, the library was never claimed. 
 
 This staunch advocacy of the peculiar tenets of his own 
 denomination did not prevent most cordial relations between 
 himself and his brethren who differed from him. When he was 
 about to take his family from Bloomington to Kansas in search 
 of health, it was one of the Presbyterian pastors who proposed 
 the farewell reception which was given him. Many were the 
 kind words of affection and esteem which were then spoken by 
 his associates from other churches, and while they credited him 
 with being “a Baptist to the backbone,” they averred that it 
 only increased their respect for him. 
 
 The patriotism of my husband was not left to be inferred. 
 When Fort Sumter was taken, he was pastor of a church whose 
 members represented all parts of our country. Yet there was 
 one dividing line, the North and the South. The echoes of the 
 cannon reached California. The consequences of a decided 
 course of action were plain to be seen. But when he entered 
 his pulpit, he unfurled, as it were, the flag of the union to his 
 audience. His prayer was for its preservation. His text was 
 announced — ‘^In Him all things consist.” Our dependence 
 upon God to hold us together as a people, was dwelt upon. 
 While the sermon was being preached, one after another of the 
 Southern members arose and went out, till we were left a purely 
 patriotic congregation, and so continued. 
 
 He ever felt that he had obligations to his country to be 
 fulfilled at the polls as elsewhere. An essay which he wrote 
 upon this subject for the Pastoral Union, meeting at Alton, 
 1S75, published at the request of his brethren, in which he 
 showed his own ardent convictions as to the duties of the 
 Christian citizen. The last time he left his house, previous to 
 his decease, he was carried to the polls, and deposited his vote. 
 
 From the path of duty, or apparent duty, he never wavered. 
 It is right — that was sufficient; neither was it irksome. ‘‘The 
 love of Christ constraineth me,” was the text of one of his 
 sermons. This was the prominent thought: when the love of 
 Christ is supreme in our hearts, it controls all our acts. Spon- 
 
 16 
 
taneoiisly we shall speak, and act, and live for Christ, not wait- 
 ing for a command, or the compulsion of duty. T.ove will 
 ])rompt to a right course, and love will obey without conscious 
 resistance. The will of Cod will be our will, and duty our 
 delight. In a large degree this sentiment was the ruling princi- 
 ])le of his life. Self-denials and hardships were borne unhesi- 
 tatingly and cheerfully when the finger of God so indicated. 
 
 An incident illustrating this, as also God’s providential care 
 at such times, occurred in California. While living in Nevada, 
 little Ella, the angel of our home, was sick, and we feared the 
 result. Then came a call from a church in a distant mining 
 town to come and ordain their pastor. Should he go? Labor- 
 ers all equipped were needed. The ministry was scattered, and 
 it might prove a failure if he were not there. He decided to 
 leave his family in God’s care, and go on the mission. It was 
 the rainy season. Starting in the night, he reached Auburn 
 by stage Saturday a. m., and thence twenty miles brought him 
 to his destination, where he examined the candidate, ordained 
 him and preached three sermons on the Sabbath, no other 
 minister being present. After spending a night, sleepless with 
 anxiety, he arose before light, and leaving a note on his table, 
 started to walk the twenty miles homeward. On the way a kind 
 lady gave him breakfast, which he ate as he went. Up hill and 
 down he hastened, reaching Auburn at noon, just in time to 
 throw himself into the stage as it was departing, and entering 
 his home in the evening while his wife was on her knees praying 
 for his return ere their child should die. God had anticipated 
 the prayer, and what thanks we gave to Him that night, that 
 His servant was not one minute too late at Auburn. 
 
 How this unselfish surrender of himself to the claims of 
 love and duty led him on, even to martyrdom, was told, 
 lately, by a brother. When the care of his wife was taxing him 
 so that it was feared his health would give way, some of his 
 brethren urged him to hire a strong woman to take his place. 
 His reply was, “She is my wife, I cannot give her into 
 another’s care.” Sad as the result was ever to his wife, he never 
 expressed a regret for his decision, but rather regretted that he 
 did not resign his pastoral work sooner. 
 
 17 
 
Perhaps right here, it may be pardoned if reference is had to 
 his life-long devotion as a husband. Ever unselfish, gentle and 
 tender as a mother’s love, he blessed the trusting, nestling wife 
 with almost uninterrupted happiness. In his counsel she rested. 
 His care warded off every ill possible. When away from all 
 near friends, his love made home bright. He claimed her 
 presence in his visits, led and aided her in Christian work, and 
 comforted her with his strong sympathy when death invaded 
 their home. That one so perfect in this relation should at last 
 relinquish life work and life itself through his devotion, has 
 ever been the bitterest part of the cup which has fallen to the 
 wife. To complain she could not, while husband and children 
 were spared, and now that he is gone, cherishes the comforting 
 words he uttered in his weakness, “ Tell mother we will soon 
 be together.” 
 
 He habitually trusted in the Lord for guidance. A favorite 
 passage was Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in 
 Him, and he shall bring it to pass.” As he committed all to 
 the Lord, he had perfect confidence that God had also fulfilled 
 His part. 
 
 He learned a lesson of trust when a young man, which he 
 never forgot. He was going from B to W , and antici- 
 
 pated being present at the closing exercises of its Seminary. 
 He must go by boat and stage. It was the first day of boat 
 travel for the season. Two vessels were preparing for the trip. 
 Whichever went first, he wished to take. Each captain claimed 
 this for his boat. After a day of watching to and fro, he went 
 aboard one and settled for the night, when, to his great chagrin, 
 the other steamed out into the lake, and went on its way. His 
 own boat, at length, started, but made such slow progress, that 
 he despaired of connecting with the stage. Finally it put to 
 shore for coal. Now, he thought, he was doomed to certain 
 disappointment. He went on land, made inquiries, and found 
 he was close by the place he was trying to reach. All his worry 
 had been for nothing. All the time God was taking him by the 
 most direct route, to his destination. This was his lesson. 
 It seemed he could never afterwards doubt the Guiding Hand 
 which was leading him in just the best way. 
 
His pastoral changes were referred implicitly to the same 
 guidance. And his council to the young who consulted him 
 was, “Be not anxious; leave all with the Lord; he will direct 
 you.” 
 
 When misfortunes came, they brought no distrust with them. 
 God had chosen his path. It might seem dark and mysterious 
 now, but eternity would make all clear. 
 
 He habitually trusted in God’s care, also, and God cared for 
 him. In the mountains of California, he was once providen- 
 tially saved from sudden death. A mill pond was covered with 
 logs. He stepped upon one which was treacherous, and in an 
 instant was beneath the logs, where the water was 20 feet deep. 
 He could not rise to the top, he did not sink, he could not 
 swim, but struggled toward the shore, till his friend, brought by 
 cries above the noise of the mill, reached him with a pole, and 
 drew him to land. He was safe; his work was not yet done. 
 
 Again, in the East, starting down a long, steep hill, with 
 wife and baby Alice by his side, the harness broke, letting the 
 buggy against the horse’s heels. It seemed that the frightened 
 horse would quickly bear us to destruction, but He who is over 
 all, saw the danger, and soon quieted the animal to perfect 
 gentleness. Repairs were made, and we went on rejoicing 
 in our deliverance. When traveling as Home Mission Secre- 
 tary, never an accident befel his train, though they went before 
 and followed him. 
 
 “ The I.ord will provide,” was his one answer to all ques- 
 tionings about the future. When health had failed and work 
 had ceased, a friend said to him, “It seems as though it was a 
 dark day for you.” “Yes,” he answered, “ but I never felt more 
 at peace in my life.” If we live to the glory of God, God will 
 take care of us. So true is it, “ Thou wilt keep him in perfect 
 peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” 
 
 “Lend a Hand,” is the beautiful motto of the King’s 
 Daughters, and to lend a hand was one of my husband’s pleas- 
 ures. In the mines of California an aged and feeble brother, 
 without friends, was persuaded by him to entrust him with his 
 earnings, which were slipping from him. For many years our 
 house was a home for him, and when we left California, he had 
 
 19 
 
the pleasure of receiving from my husband over two thousand 
 dollars, the accumulation of his savings. 
 
 To young men of promise he was especially drawn, that he 
 might lead them forth to a life work of usefulness. If they 
 were successful, that was a sufficient reward. How his heart 
 was gladdened, when such became earnest workers for Jesus, and 
 gathering sheaves for the heavenly kingdom. 
 
 If he could give a lift to a brother in the ministry, it was 
 counted as a privilege, and several times a box of books from 
 his library went to their assistance, while he gladly gave personal 
 aid, whenever home duties would permit. 
 
 His interest in missions, both home and foreign, continued 
 through life. He not only gave liberally himself, but he stirred 
 up the gifts of his brethren. I think the churches to which he 
 ministered will acknowledge his power to reach their purses as 
 well as their hearts in behalf of these objects. The gifts of 
 some were so generous as to command the admiration of my 
 husband, and I believe a stimulus for life was given, which is 
 still bearing rich fruit. Others who emulated their pastor in his 
 cheerful contributions, preceded him to that land, where 
 rewards are bestowed for the least given in Christ’s name. One 
 of these was a sister whose interest was so thoroughly aroused 
 that she took boarders that she might give one hundred dollars 
 to the Missionary Union. 
 
 I have in mind two instances of his power over a congrega- 
 tion when presenting objects for their beneficence. In both 
 cases the circumstances were quite peculiar to himself. He 
 was Secretary for the Home Missionary Society, and lit upon the 
 home of a pastor one Saturday evening unexpectedly. The 
 pastor was at a business meeting and returned late. He made 
 no effort to conceal his chagrin, at sight of the Secretary, and 
 explained that he was trying to build a church; it was up-hill 
 work; his brethren were discouraged, and were just proposing 
 to give up the undertaking. ‘‘ Perhaps I can help you,” said his 
 visitor. Although he could not recover from his discomforture, 
 he consented that Mr. S. should preach. Missions were not 
 referred to, but the work they had in mind. During the sermon 
 a change came over the congregation, and as soon as ended, the 
 
 20 
 
pastor grasped his hand, exclaiming, “You have saved the 
 church,” and then, before his people, made a most humble con- 
 fession of his treatment of his guest. The next morning they 
 started out with fresh courage; the money was raised and the 
 church was speedily built. 
 
 At another church, at the last minute, a Sunday-school col- 
 lection was substituted for the promised Home Mission collec- 
 tion. Two hundred dollars were needed, but not expected. 
 Though greatly disappointed, he preached an effective sermon, 
 and made a plea for their Sunday-schools, to which the audience 
 responded with a gift of five hundred dollars. 
 
 He, himself, always had habits of giving ungrudgingly. 
 The cause of Christ, in the early days of California called for 
 much sacrifice, especially from the ministry. The maintenance 
 of a denominational paper was a great tax upon them, in which 
 he cheerfully bore his share. To this and other objects, by 
 God’s blessing, he was enabled to contribute more than two 
 thousand dollars before he left the state. 
 
 He planned his expenses, so as to give as well as to live. 
 One rule which he would on no account infringe upon, was, to 
 never run in debt. Another was, to lay by something, however 
 little, every year. In speculations or lucrative schemes he 
 would never engage. His one work was the ministry. That 
 God blessed His servant who trusted Him so completely, and 
 honored Him with his substance, may be seen in the pleasant 
 home and comforts of his later years, when his hands were 
 folded from toil, and which he has left to his invalid wife. 
 
 The blessing of the peace maker was his. Dissensions 
 among brethren were suppressed with a firm hand, and he 
 would obtain the promise “you will never speak of this again.” 
 
 God gave him a voice and talent for singing, which was of 
 unspeakable help to him in the conference room, also the cheer 
 of many a child of God in the sick room. Singing was a part 
 of the daily family worship ; and as he was the priest of the 
 family altar until the last three weeks of his life, he never failed 
 to start the tune which was caught up by the others and sung. 
 How hallowed were those seasons to the family circle. For a 
 long time he was unable to kneel. When he could read no 
 
 21 
 
longer, each one recited a verse of Scripture, and then, after the 
 song, he bore all u[)on his heart into the very presence of God, 
 and in brief and comprehensive petitions craved blessings for the 
 cause of Christ universally, and for his own church in particular. 
 The last time that he officiated in his family will ever be remem- 
 bered by them. It was the morning on which his son Edward 
 was to say farewell, after being called home to see him die. 
 He was propped up in bed. The Psalm was the twenty- 
 third; the song, “The Sweet By and By.” We had not thought 
 him able to perform the service, but before another could com- 
 mence his voice was heard dwelling upon the “ sweet by and 
 by” of our hopes, and earnestly praying for the consecration 
 and future usefulness of his children, and then most tenderly 
 for the mother, whom he left to their loving care, until death 
 should release her. 
 
 For the work of the ministry he had an ardent love. Often 
 did he speak of this in his sickness, adding, “ If I were to live 
 my life over again, I would choose the same calling;” or, “If I 
 had a thousand lives to live, they should all be given to the 
 ministry.” 
 
 In the sacred desk, Jesus was his favorite theme. Knowing 
 that Christ^had died for the whole world, as a faithful ambassa- 
 dor, he besought men to be reconciled to God through Christ. 
 His dependence was upon the Holy Spirit to lead his mind as 
 to choice of subjects and pour light upon the themes chosen. 
 If he presented the truths of the Gospel with an unusual depth 
 of meaning, it was this inner light which enabled him to do so. 
 He acknowledged especial assistance in the preparation of some 
 particular sermons. Allusion has been made to one of his ser- 
 mons on morality, text, “ A son honoreth his father, and a ser- 
 vant his master; if I then be a Father, where is my honor, and if 
 I be a Master, where is my fear.” The circumstances which 
 originated that sermon were these : There were some in his 
 
 congregation in whom he felt a deep interest, and who apparently 
 were depending upon good works alone for their hopes of 
 heaven. For weeks he prayed to the Lord to give him a sub- 
 ject adapted to their case. At length this theme was given, and 
 the strong light in which it was presented. Whether it was the 
 
 22 
 
means of influencing those friends or not, it was permitted him 
 to know of more persons being converted through the instru- 
 mentality of that sermon than of any other one which he 
 preached. 
 
 The aim of the discourse was to show that man’s fitness for 
 heaven depends upon his attitude toward God, and that all the 
 beautiful virtues which men exhibit toward each other, instead 
 of recommending them to God, only enhance their guilt, if they 
 are not practiced toward Him. In the practice of those virtues 
 toward each other, they showed that they understood their obli- 
 gations. They were left without excuse then in failing to fullfil 
 them toward God. 
 
 He pictured a daughter attending upon a sick parent, bath- 
 ing the head, cooling the parched lips, and tenderly administer- 
 ing to every want, and then applied it thus: God looking 
 
 down upon the scene exclaims, “ I see that you understand 
 your obligations to your parent, and that you appreciate and 
 exhibit the beautiful grace of filial piety; but I am a Father and 
 where is my honor? I am the only Father in the universe to 
 whom due reverence is not acknowledged.” 
 
 Or he pictured neighbors showing kindnesses to each other, 
 always with the responsive, “ I thank you, you are very kind ” 
 But God, from whose hand comes all our blessings, is unthanked, 
 and again complains, “ I see that you possess this beautiful grace 
 of gratitude for kindness shown; you know your obligations for 
 favors received, and are full of thanks to each other, yet you 
 thank me not for what I have done for you. Your tables are 
 laden with gifts from my hand, yet you think not of me, the 
 Giver. You possess the lovely graces of gratitude, and of filial 
 love, and all amiable traits of character, and exhibit them 
 toward each other, but toward me, the author of all these beau- 
 tiful virtues, you exhibit none of them. Where is my honor, and 
 my fear, and my love, and my thanks?” 
 
 This point was also brought out clearly, — that those who were 
 living without any reference to God, were not seeking and 
 could not expect any reward from Him. It was not unjust or 
 cruel in God not to reward them, for they had done nothing for 
 
 23 
 
Him, All their acts were toward their fellowmen, and they 
 had their reward from them. 
 
 Mr. Stone never wrote his sermons fully, but used suggestive 
 jottings, which, to himself, called up the train of thought, and 
 yet allowed much liberty. They were frequently of an evange- 
 listic type, yet he sought to feed the flock of God, both with 
 the milk of the word, and strong meat, to each a portion. 
 For presenting the truth clearly, he had a natural gift, and 
 always sought to clinch it upon the hearts of his hearers. His 
 exhortations to Christians to be up and at work for the salvation 
 of souls about them were persistent, and he sought constantly to 
 lead them to a higher plane of spirituality and usefulness. If he 
 failed, the failure should not lie at his door. 
 
 I would like to give one picture of him as a pastor. It is in 
 the prayer-meeting room. The Spirit of God has been there 
 with great blessings, and still abides. Some of the treasures of 
 God's Word have been unfolded. A season of prayer and song 
 has been spent, and now an opportunity is given for testimony. 
 A number rise to their feet at once, and all stand waiting for 
 him to designate who shall speak. One name after another is 
 called, who speak briefly and take their seats. Before the last 
 one is seated another company arises, all waiting on their feet 
 as before, for the call of the name. The announcement, “none 
 need rise after these,” brings the meeting to a close. In this 
 way, from fifty to seventy have sometimes taken part in the 
 meeting, reminding one of Christ’s description of the good Shep- 
 herd, “ He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them 
 forth.” 
 
 In revival work he delighted, and was often engaged in it. 
 His joy over souls he had won to Jesus was like that of a father, 
 and the weariness and wrestlings were all forgotten. Scarcely 
 less was his joy over the church, under the refreshing showers of 
 the Holy Spirit, when he felt their sustaining prayers, and they 
 wrestled and rejoiced together. His sermons to the unconverted 
 were not only designed to awaken and convict, but to lead to 
 Christ as the only Savior, through a renunciation of everything else. 
 
 In personal work with sinners, he was especially successful, 
 pressing upon them an immediate surrender and trust in Christ. 
 
 24 
 
The critical moment was seen, and he would hold the hand at 
 parting, or tarry by their side till the decision was made. The 
 power of God was with him at such times. Those who were 
 doubtful if they might trust in Jesus, or feared to venture, were 
 persuaded by his words, and many have blessed him that he 
 would not give them up, when they Wvnild have postponed their 
 decision till another time. 
 
 So also was his counsel to encpiirers honored of God. To 
 one who had long been seeking, but still deeply distressed, he 
 said, “Go home, and don’t think of yourself again, but think of 
 Jesus.” The man hesitated, said he would lose all of his feeling 
 if he did. “Let your feeling go, but look to Jesus,” was the 
 reply, and he was rejoicing in Christ before morning. At an- 
 other time his evening subject was seeking the Lord with 
 sincerity. He said : “ If any of you will go and honestly tell 
 Jesus that you are a lost sinner, and ask Him to save you, if He 
 does not save, I will agree to stand for you in the day of judg- 
 ment.” One man went home saying: “I will test that man’s 
 word, and will honestly go to Jesus, tell Him my condition, 
 and ask Him to save me.” He was speedily rejoicing, and 
 went in the dead of night to his brother to tell of his new found 
 joy. That man, his wife, his brother and his wife were all soon 
 rejoicing together in Jesus. The brother entered the ministry, 
 and up to this time has been an earnest and successful preacher 
 of the Word, and a Home Missionary in Kansas. Of the number 
 of conversions and baptisms, under his ministry, he kept no 
 record. “ My record is on high,” he would say. 
 
 His power with God in prayer was noticeable. Not to him- 
 self, but to the inspiring Spirit was the honor given. Oft times, 
 it seemed, he had but to take a sinner on his heart in prayer, 
 and he would speedily be converted. Also, at the bed-side of 
 the sick, marked answers to prayer were sometimes given. On 
 one occasion, while pastor in Lafayette, Ind., he found a sister, 
 apparently passing away. No one expected her to survive till 
 morning. He kneeled by her side, and without premeditation, 
 and unexpectedly to himself, offered an earnest prayer for her 
 immediate recovery. He could pray for nothing less. Friends 
 stood amazed, but the answer was given. From that hour she 
 
 25 
 
began to amend and lived for several years, for her family and 
 the church. Several such instances occurred in his ministry, 
 when the pleading and the faith were given from above, and 
 brought the return of health and strength to the suffering. Of 
 these instances, he himself said, “ When God gave me faith to 
 pray for the recovery of the sick. He always answered the 
 prayer. The promise of Scripture, as recorded by James, ‘The 
 prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him 
 up,’ was fulfilled in every case, where I had that God-given 
 faith. I was as anxious and earnest in my prayers for others, 
 but had to say, ‘ Thy will be done.’ ” He believed that the gift 
 of healing has been in tlie church always, and will remain to the 
 end of time, though not bestowed so abundantly and frequently 
 as upon the Apostles. He said, “ We should discriminate 
 between the gift of faith, and the grace of faith. The gift of 
 faith is not the measurement of our piety, but the grace of faith.’’ 
 As to his own recovery, he knew that the power of God was 
 unlimited, and that he might ask, with submission to His will, 
 but no such faith to receive was given. The burden of his 
 prayer was not for the return of health, but that he might be 
 filled with the Spirit of God. 
 
 His visits among the sick were a much loved part of his 
 work. They were welcome, cheery, and looked for daily, and 
 did not cease when he was no longer pastor. Even when a 
 stranger in Kansas, and as long as he could go out at all, he 
 went to the abodes of suffering, and his very last call was upon 
 a sick sister. 
 
 The consolations which he imparted to others, were precious 
 to himself in his long sickness, “ It is all right;” “ God makes no 
 mistakes;” “ I have never had a murmuring thought,” were 
 expressions showing his perfect submission to what God had 
 chosen for him. For years, the strong man, broken down in his 
 strength, was passing homeward, with tremulous nerves, and a 
 paralysis, which stopped not for a day in its onward course, 
 with its fetters of pain and helplessness; yet when the weariness 
 and the tribulations were ended, and we looked back upon it all, 
 it seemed lighted with a glory all its own. When in health, there 
 was the shining of a consecrated life, and faithful stewardship; 
 
 26 
 
in sickness there was a halo about him of the “ perfect through 
 suffering.’’ Tender as a child, patient, subdued, brave as a 
 Grant or a Frederick, leaning upon his Beloved, thus it was that 
 his life passed on before us, step by step, to the valley where the 
 angels met him, and bore him hence. 'Fhose nearest to him saw 
 most of the glory. They cannot forget the suffering, neither 
 can they forget his bearing as a conqueror, nor the strength of 
 his inner man, his firm faith, his courage, his unfailing judgment,, 
 and the wisdom of his counsels, which made him like an oak,, 
 leaned upon, even to the last. 
 
 It was one of the trials of his disease that he could not med- 
 itate; but there was rest in Jesus, and in His word. The 
 Bible was perused with great satisfaction, and when he could no 
 longer read himself, it was a part of the daily employment of 
 his wife, to read aloud several chapters. The words of Jesus 
 at the last supper were a favorite passage with him. Sometimes 
 he would ask for one of the short Epistles, but usually the New 
 Testament or the Psalms, were read in course, and over and 
 over again, while the comment, “ What a rich portion of Script- 
 ure that is,” would show how much he enjoyed it. 
 
 His Christian hope was unclouded. He knew in whom he 
 believed, “All is bright on the other side,” he said, as he was 
 nearing the river. Long he waited and watched for the coming 
 of the Savior. To no one could the summons be more welcome. 
 “I reckon on going home,” he said with emphasis to a friend. 
 “I anticipate being with my Master.” “We shall all be 
 together soon, where there will be no meetings nor partings. 
 To the church his only message was, “ Be faithful.” At the last, 
 he could not talk, but no dying testimony was needed. We 
 knew that the strong arms of the Redeemer were underneath 
 him, and that when he left this worn-out body, he was borne 
 upward to the realms of light, where pain, and sin and sorrow 
 shall never enter, where joyous meetings were awaiting him, and 
 where his voice should again be tuned to the hallelujahs of 
 heaven. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; yea, saith 
 the Spirit, for they rest from their labors, and their works do- 
 follow them.” 
 
 27 
 
It gives me great pleasure to publish the following additional 
 reminiscences from the pen of a friend relating to his life in 
 Marengo. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Stone. 
 
 I have been living over the old days with you and Dr. 
 Stone. How well I remember the first time I saw you when 
 the Rock River Association met in Marengo, in June, 1871. 
 You two, with Mrs. M., came on the 8 o’clock, a. m., train, and 
 were designated to our house. It so happened that I opened 
 the door, and as Mr. Stone introduced himself and party, I at 
 once felt I was in the presence of a strong man. And how 
 beautifully you all made yourselves at home that morning. As 
 mother and I were busy in household duties we asked to be 
 excused, and Mr. Stone said, “ O, we will entertain ourselves; 
 we’ll have a sing,” and opening the piano he requested Mrs. M. 
 to play while you all sang. I remember how full and rich your 
 voices sounded as I went about my work. 
 
 This was the very beginning, dear friend, of an acquaintance 
 that has been so full of blessing to our household. It was at 
 this association that the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of 
 the West was first brought before the body, and you and Mr. 
 •Stone encouraged us to organize a circle at Marengo as you had 
 at Rockford a week or so earlier, and so we did the following 
 Sunday. Then, this was the time that Dr. Kerr was wielding so 
 great an influence in Rockford, having the year before gone out 
 from our denomination into liberalism and taking from the First 
 church many members of wealth and influence, and at this very 
 time was attracting to himself large audiences. There were 
 among us pessimistic souls who were fearful that the cause of 
 Christ had received almost a death blow in Rockford, and that 
 the foundations of the church were sadly shaken. 
 
 To meet this disheartening influence, Mr. Stone was asked 
 to preach the last afternoon of the association, and did so to a 
 •crowded house. And what a strong, hopeful sermon he gave 
 from the text, “ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and 
 Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all;” 
 and how the audience were lifted out of themselves and bright- 
 ened and cheered as the preacher showed Christ in his fullness, 
 
 28 
 
strength and power. The sermon was quoted for weeks and 
 must have been helpful to many. 
 
 I think Mr. Stone’s ministry in Marengo, in one sense, began 
 with this meeting of the association, though it was not till No- 
 vember, 1872, that he became the pastor of this dear church. 
 
 And what shall I say of his four years’ pastorate in Marengo? 
 Years of growth and advancement in the church; years of 
 revival and reaping; years also of seed-sowing and building up 
 of Christian character; four years of successful work, bearing 
 fruit even unto this day. 
 
 In reviewing Mr. Stone’s labors among us, I am impressed 
 anew with his exaltation of Jesus Christ as a Saviour from sin 
 and the power of sin. flow faithfully and earnestly he pressed 
 home this truth from the desk and in personal work. Often 
 have I heard him say that he had little faith in any efforts at 
 reform that did not put the need of Christ the Saviour at the 
 foundation. Bring men to Jesus and they are bound to become 
 and remain temperance men, he would say. A revival of 
 religion always toned up the public sentiment on any question 
 of reform, was his experience. 
 
 He gloried in presenting Jesus Christ, the crucified, to needy 
 men and women, and great was his success in enlisting them 
 under Emmanuel’s banner. It seems to me he excelled more 
 than most in bringing truth home to all ages. Do you remember 
 the revival of 1873 was, with few exceptions, among the children 
 and young people of our Sunday school, while the last revival, 
 before you left us, was notable in reaching men and women in 
 the prime of life. Wasn’t it thirty-three heads of families who 
 were converted, besides as many more who had reached man- 
 hood and womanhood? If I remember correctly but one child 
 was baptized of the nearly seventy who put on Christ. And 
 how well adapted Mr. Stone was to bring men to a decision. 
 Do you recollect how Capt. S. said he wished to be a Christian 
 but had no feelings and Mr. Stone told him his days of feelmg 
 were probably past, but now he must act on his conviction? 
 And how he patiently led him from point to point till the sur- 
 render of will was complete? And the night Dr. S. was con- 
 verted. What a long struggle it was, and how easily the wrong 
 
 29 
 
word might have been said, but Mr. Stone’s help was wise, and 
 how like a little child Dr. S. finally gave himself up and began 
 the beautiful life which grew brighter and brighter as the years 
 went by. O, the hand-picked fruit was very precious in those 
 days. 
 
 Mr. Stone seemed to delight in hard work, and with his fine 
 health and consecrated heart, how much he was able to accom- 
 plish. I recall the neighborhood prayer meetings, the series of 
 services held in school-houses about Marengo, and with what 
 joy he brought to the home church the sheaves of his gathering. 
 And then the catholicity of his spirit! What noble work he did 
 in Union one winter, and how the Congregationalist church was 
 strengthened; and added to its membership many who had been 
 converted through his efforts. 
 
 Again, Mr. Stone’s intelligent interest in all the work of 
 the denomination lifted the church to a plane of giving 
 never before attained, as he so well knew how to present 
 each cause and always led in the offerings. With the great 
 body of churches the stream will not rise higher than the 
 fountain, but if the spiritual leader is a man like Mr. Stone, 
 counting it a joy and privilege to give unto the Lord, and 
 so earnestly presenting local and denominational work, there 
 will be many hearts in the pews glad to follow his leader- 
 ship and thankful to acknowledge their stewardship of “ the 
 manifold grace of God.’’ Mr. Stone left his impress in this 
 respect upon his own generation in the Marengo church; upon 
 Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Adams, Dr. Woodworth, my father and 
 mother, and others. I have heard my father say repeatedly 
 that Mr. Stone was an example to him of the “ joy of giving, ” 
 and that he sometimes felt that Mr. Stone had taught him how 
 to give. 
 
 There were those having a slight acquaintance with your 
 husband who thought him wanting in tenderness, but no one 
 who ever saw him with little children, or in a sick room, or with 
 the afflicted, entertained such an idea. How he won little 
 children. Do you remember how our Louise loved him and 
 liked to be carried about in his strong arms? When she first 
 began to put sentences together, I asked her one day who her 
 
 30 
 
minister was, and she said, “Mr. Stone,” and after a moment’s 
 hesitation added, “ and Mrs. Stone,” which we thought very true. 
 
 I think I must bring to your memory her first Sunday of going 
 to church. It so happened she went with me, and in coming 
 home she said, “ Aunt Lollie, I don’t love Mr. Stone! ” “ Not 
 
 love Mr. Stone, darling,” I replied, “Why, what is the matter?” 
 “He didn’t,” and the lip quivered, “He didn’t come down 
 and kiss me.” O, how heartily Mr. Stone laughed when I told 
 him the next day, and when Sunday came around again, as 
 soon as the benediction was pronounced, he came directly to 
 her, reaching out his arms, and I can see him now as he carried 
 her down the aisle, her curly head against his left shoulder, as 
 he spake and shook hands with his people. 
 
 His beautiful thoughtfulness for the sick, and hearty, cheery 
 ways were appreciated by many an invalid. How Mrs. Deacon 
 Lewis was brightened by a call from you and enjoyed the sing- 
 ing which always was a part of it as well as the pastor’s 
 prayer. How many sick rooms welcomed you both. 
 
 My dear friend, four years of beautiful, faithful, consecrated 
 living and doing were lived among us. Christ was honored, 
 souls saved, hearts strengthened, character built up, and the 
 kingdom of God advanced. If I should be asked to give in one 
 sentence my impression of Mr. Stone’s ministry here, I should 
 reply in Jean Ingelow’s words, concerning the i^reacher in “ The 
 Brothers,” “ So anxious not to go to Heaven atoned 
 
 I hope I have not wearied you with my long letter, but it 
 was in my heart to live over with you some of the days of the 
 past. Always your loving friend and sister, 
 
 Marengo, III. nellie Patrick. 
 
 31 
 
^Ixjc ^umral ^jermou. 
 
 BY JNO. L. JACKSON, D. 1). 
 
The funeral-service was conducted at the residence of 
 the family of the deceased. Friends gathered to perform 
 the last offices of love. There were floral offerings and 
 the ripened sheaf. A puartett sang softly some tender 
 hymns. Dr. W. H. H. Adams, of the M. E. Church, read a 
 selection from the scriptures. The Rev. S. G. Miner offered 
 the sympathetic prayer, which was home into the presence 
 of God. The Pastor, Rev. J. L. Jackson, delivered the dis- 
 course which follows. The last look was taken of the face 
 so calm and peaceful, and then the remains were home 
 to their final resting place, in the beautiful cemetery of 
 Bloomington, to await the joyful resurrection when Christ 
 shall come again. 
 
Text: II Timothy, iv:y-8: “/ have fought a good fights 1 have 
 finished my course^ I have kept the faiths henceforth there is 
 laid up for me a croivn of righteousness^ which the Lord^ the 
 righteous Judge, shall give me in that day : and not to me 
 only, hut to all them that love his appearing,^^ 
 
 ^tP^HESE are the triumphant words of Paul as he contemplated 
 his approaching death. It is not the language of vaunting 
 ^ egotism. It is simply the honest sentiment of a man who 
 knows what he has done, and knows also what he has won 
 through the grace given him from above. 
 
 When he penned these words he was in Rome, a prisoner of 
 Jesus Christ, awaiting the time of his offering up. The busy life 
 was nearing its close. In the Providence of God he had come 
 to that pause in his active career which so fittingly precedes the 
 ending of the earthly pilgrimage. He had time now, in his 
 Roman prison, to carefully review the years crowded so full of 
 toil and sacrifice, he had also time to contemplate the glorious 
 reward which was so near at hand. 
 
 The text is naturally divided into two portions: the back- 
 ward and the forward look. 
 
 First he cast his glance back over the long and rugged path 
 along which he had travelled. On that path he had fought his 
 battles and won his triumphs. With the blessings and the favor 
 of his I.ord, he had been enabled to accomplish a noble work. 
 Hence, he could exclaim without fear of contradiction from 
 either friend or foe : “ I have fought a good fight, I have finished 
 my course, I have kept the faith.” 
 
 What an hour of honest exultation must it be to the faithful 
 servant of God to be able to cast his glance back upon a career 
 of usefulness. To the great mass of the human kind memory 
 brings no joyful retrospect. They are glad to cut out the 
 vision of the past when it rises unbidden before them. The 
 
 35 
 
story of wasted opportunities, of squandered strength, of selfish 
 greed is repeated so often in human life that there are few who 
 can find real pleasure in the memory of days gone by. Even 
 when one has not been guilty of the baser crimes, how often is 
 life seen at last to have been wasted, because the aims have 
 been low, and the earthly rewards unsatisfying. Many lives are 
 busy enough, but they are so occupied with gold getting and 
 honor getting, that at last they are found to have gathered no 
 abiding good. Life need not thus be wasted. Death need not 
 bring us bitter memories. Mortal as we are and liable to err, it 
 is still possible to put into life such deeds of kindness, such 
 words of truth, such holy purposes that at the last we can even 
 dare to use the triumphant language of Paul: “ I have fotight a 
 good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 
 
 It is marvellous to contemplate what a human life may 
 become when God takes hold of it. When filled with His Spirit 
 and impelled with love for Him, even weak and erring men have 
 been able to do a work which calls forth the songs of angels. 
 
 Paul says: “ I have finished my course.” The word finish 
 
 has two meanings; first, as “ended;” second, as “completed.” 
 
 Ended, all lives must be. There is no escape from that. 
 The drunkard and the libertine, as well as the patriot and the 
 saint, must end the earthly career. But a finished and com- 
 pleted life is a rare thing on earth. In all the world, there is 
 nothing so beautiful as that. There is beauty in the flower, and 
 grandeur in the sun and stars, but in the universe of created 
 things there is nothing so glorious, so worthy of admiration, as a 
 finished life. 
 
 The great Apostle had another vision, which gave him even 
 greater delight than the memory of his earthly triumphs. He 
 was able to look forward, as well as backward. That onward 
 glance filled his soul with joy unspeakable. Out of the deeps 
 of a full heart he exclaimed: “ Henceforth there is laid up 
 
 for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
 Judge, shall give me in that day.” 
 
 Death had no terrors for him. It was but the opening of a 
 door that admitted him to the society of angels and the rewards 
 of heaven. A Christian father was on his deathbed. Calling 
 
his daughter to him, he said : “ My child, I desire to say a few 
 
 words to you, for it may be that I shall not be with you long.” 
 The young lady drew back with a shudder, “Oh! Father,” she 
 exclaimed, “ Is there any danger?” ‘‘No,” replied the father 
 calmly, “ There is no danger. There is a probability that I 
 shall die, but there is no danger. There can be no danger on a ' 
 Christian’s sick bed.” Thanks be to God, Christ takes away the 
 sting of death. He transforms the monster into an angel of 
 blessing. However happy or useful they are on earth, to God’s 
 children, death must always be a blessing. 
 
 The heavenly reward often fails to exert over us the influ- 
 ence that it ought, because our faith is weak. We repeat the 
 glowing promises, without comprehending their fulness of mean- 
 ing. Paul doubtless understood the force of the words we are 
 studying, in a way that we cannot. He had, not only a faith, 
 strengthened through many years of prayer and communion with 
 God, but he had been permitted, even during his earthly life, to 
 catch a glimpse of the heavenly life. He tells us that, “ He was 
 caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it 
 is not lawful for a man to utter.” The memory of that exper- 
 ience could never have faded from his mind. Doubtless in his 
 darkest hours of trial he would bid memory call up that beautiful 
 vision, and he would find in it comfort and courage. Now as 
 he thought upon the approaching end of his earthly life, what 
 joy it must have given him to know that soon he would be 
 introduced into that great company of the redeemed, not this 
 time to tarry with them for a few short hours, but to find them 
 his companions forever. That crown, with “peerless glories 
 bright,” was ever before his enraptured gaze. He longed for 
 the moment to come when his Lord would place it upon 
 his brow. 
 
 Paul was not selfish in his longing for heaven. Heaven 
 would hardly have been heaven to him, if he had to enjoy it 
 alone. So in the moment when his exultant spirit reached for- 
 ward to his own reward, he thought also of the multitude of 
 redeemed souls who were to rejoice with him in the eternal 
 inheritance. He said: “ My Lord will bestow this crown, not 
 
 upon me only, but upon all them that love his appearing. ” The 
 
 37 
 
multitudes whom he had been instrumental in bringing to right- 
 eousness were to be crowned with him “ heirs of God and joint 
 heirs with Christ.” One of the most attractive features of the 
 heavenly life to a faithful minister of the Gospel, must be that 
 he shall have the exceeding joy of seeing the Lord crown those 
 whom he has been permitted to lead into the new life. 
 
 As we come now to apply the text to the life and character 
 of Dr. Stone, we can say that he also had this glorious double 
 vision as he lay upon his bed of suffering. He could look back 
 upon a life spent in the service of God. He could look forward 
 to the mansions which his Lord had gone to prepare for him. 
 Between his active life and the heavenly reward there lay those 
 eight years of suffering, in which he had ample time to look both 
 backward and forward. He also was a prisoner of Jesus Christ, 
 not held in bondage by a Roman Emperor, but chained to his 
 home by that cruel tyrant, Disease. As he lay imprisoned in the 
 valley of suffering the light gleamed along the hill tops. Which 
 ever way he looked he saw visions of beauty. If he looked 
 backward along the path he had journeyed in his earthly pilgrim- 
 age, memory painted pictures of a faithful minister working 
 heroically for his Master, in many towns and cities stretching 
 all the way from the Empire State to the Golden Gate. If he 
 looked forward. Faith pictured to his enraptured vision a Beauti- 
 ful Land where were no sickness and sorrow, in which was a 
 crown waiting for a victor’s brow. 
 
 His is not only an ended life, but it is a finished one. He 
 did not live to a great age, but he had the privilege for thirty 
 years of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During that time 
 he was constantly reaping the fruit of his toil. About a thousand 
 persons were baptized by him during his ministry, besides great 
 numbers whom he pointed to Christ as he went to aid other 
 pastors in their extra meetings. We who have known him in the 
 later years of his life are apt to think of him as a minister laid 
 aside from active work. We must not forget that the greater 
 portion of his life was spent in earnest toil for the salvation of 
 men. 
 
 He was a hard-working minister of the Gospel. His strong 
 physical constitution enabled him to endure great hardships in 
 
 38 
 
his work. His bodily strength, together with his spiritual 
 insight, made him a great power in the pulpit. He was able to 
 move men as few ministers could. His eyes would flash. His 
 hands would clench. His voice would pour forth his message 
 in rounded sentences. His whole bodily frame would be 
 wrought up to the highest tension as he preached the Word. 
 
 Whatever else they might think of his preaching, all acknowl- 
 edged him to be a man in earnest. His speech was that of a 
 dying man to dying men. He had a message to deliver, and his 
 heart was burdened until he had delivered the whole truth. 
 
 His life work, however, was not completed until after his 
 pulpit ministrations ceased. No longer able to do the work of 
 Pastor, Evangelist or Missionary, he was still able to be of great 
 service in the Master’s kingdom. His patient endurance of suf- 
 fering, his cheerful acquiescence to the plan and purpose of 
 God, made him a noble example, not only to his fellow-sufferers, 
 but even to those who enjoyed health and strength. If any 
 were tempted to complain, they held their words in check, as 
 they thought of one whose burdens were so much heavier than 
 their own. 
 
 Thus, during the last eight years, he has held a place unique 
 among the Baptist ministers of the State. There were others 
 who had been laid aside from active work, but not one who had 
 become such an example of patient suffering, nor one whose 
 condition was so widely known. In this way he has been able 
 to do a work, to set an example, which will be long remem- 
 bered. 
 
 His sufferings have been an important element, not only in 
 the finishing of his work, but in the completion of his character. 
 He, himself, has grown in the graces of the Christian life during 
 these later years. His physicial pain has chiseled his soul into 
 beauty. He grew so gentle, so sympathetic, so full of kind 
 feeling for all. In the days of his strength he was so robust that 
 it was difficult for him to comprehend the limitations which dis- 
 ease imposes upon a weak body. His own increasing infirmity 
 gave him the tenderest regard for the weakness of others. 
 
 In a multitude of ways we could discern how his sufferings 
 ripened his experience and beautified his soul. 
 
 39 
 
/ His home life was very lovable. Under that roof where 
 there was so much pain, there was no grumbling, and there was 
 much domestic happiness. Parents and children alike bore their 
 part in the deprivations which sickness brings into a home, with 
 cheerfulness and courage. It was a beautiful sight to watch the 
 service of the loving children, and to listen to the cheerful words 
 of the stricken parents. In this way, even to the latest days of 
 his life, memory was busy painting pictures which it must have 
 been a delight to contemplate. 
 
 Our departed brother had, not only a past, into which he 
 could look with great satisfaction, but he had a future into 
 which he gazed with hope and gladness. What that future con- 
 tained for him, he knew well. As the disease fastened its hold 
 more firmly upon his frame, and the weariness increased, he 
 longed for the hour when he should be taken home. Once when 
 there seemed to be some indications of approaching dissolution, 
 his physician made a careful examination of the vital organs and 
 reported that his patient might live yet for some time, “ Well,” 
 said Dr. Stone, “that is the worst news you could give me.” 
 He was like a tired school-boy, waiting for the hour to come 
 when he might go home. 
 
 He has gone home at last. So peacefully did he pass away 
 that the watchers scarcely knew whether he lived or died. “He 
 is dead,” at last, whispered his friends. “He is alive,” sang the 
 angels, “and he liveth forevermore.” We do not mourn his 
 death; we rather rejoice with him that he has passed triumph- 
 antly through his earthly sufferings, and has at last received “the 
 crown of righteousness.” 
 
 40 
 
IHjemorxal 
 
On Tuesday evening the Memorial Services were held 
 in the church. The choir furnished some excellent music. 
 The following was the order of exercises : 
 
 Prayer, . - . - Rev. A. H. Rhodes, Normal. 
 
 “Sketch of Dr. Stone’s Life,” 
 
 Prepared by Mrs. Stone, Read by Dr. Mammen. 
 “College Days,” - - - Rev. T. P. Campbell 
 
 “Pastoral Work,” - - - Rev. S. G. Miner. 
 
 “Relations to Other Churches,” - Dr. Dinsmore. 
 
 Letter from Marengo Church, 
 
 Read by Mrs. Sadie C. White. 
 “His Work in Bloomington Association,” 
 
 - Rev. E. J. Thomas. 
 
 “Work as Secretary of Home Missionary Society,” 
 
 - Dr. Haigh. 
 
 “Closing Years,” ----- Dr. Jackson. 
 Benediction, . . . . . Rev. Miller. 
 
 A FOOT NOTE. 
 
 I exceedingly regret my inability to obtain the address of Dr. Dinsmore upon the 
 relations of Mr. Stone to the other pastors of the city. It was a kind and brotherly tribute 
 from the only one now remaining of those pastors who were associated with him. 
 
REV. T. P. CAMPBELL. 
 
 f ROTHER STONE came to Madison University in the 
 Fall of 1847. He entered the sophomore year of the 
 ^ class of 1850 He at once took rank among the first of 
 the class as a painstaking, conscientious student. I never knew 
 him to be absent from the class except in case of sickness or 
 absence from the institution; or to fail of being prepared to 
 recite when there. He was equally conscientious in the dis- 
 charge of his religious duties. While laudably diligent in his 
 studies, he did not allow them to encroach upon or interfere 
 with his religious duties. He felt that to gain intellectual 
 development and power, by the neglect of spiritual culture, 
 would be as unwise as it was unscriptural. Hence, his place 
 was always filled in the prayer-meeting, and, by his example and 
 exhortations, contributed largely to the growth of spirituality 
 of his fellow students. The Eastern Association was formed by 
 young men looking to the Foreign Field as their life work. Of 
 this association he and I were members, and we expected at the 
 close of our college life to enter; but, in both our cases, God 
 directed differently, and, for similar reasons, the field of our 
 work was changed. Others have spoken of his pastoral work 
 and success. The secret of Brother Stone’s success, I think, is 
 very apparent. In the first place, he was pre-eminently a 
 preacher. He seemed to have no other desire than to be a 
 faithful ambassador of Christ. To him it was the grandest call- 
 ing to which God ever called a man ; and, hence, he had no 
 temptation to turn aside to any other calling. Neither would 
 he have admitted for a moment the inferiority of a minister of 
 
the gospel, in dignity or distinction, to that of any other calling 
 or position in life. He rejoiced in God, with all his heart, that 
 He had counted him worthy of putting him into the ministry. 
 
 Again, he was a gospel preacher. His faith in the gospel as 
 the power of God unto salvation, was without any mental reser- 
 vation. No amount of quibbling or semi-skeptical objections 
 had any influence over him, or caused his faith to flag for a 
 moment. He felt no need of sensational methods or the attrac- 
 tions of brilliant rhetoric or graceful oratory. He could rise to 
 the plane of the great Apostle, and say, “I am determined to 
 know nothing among you save Christ and him crucified.” 
 
 The craze of the times for advanced thought, and keeping 
 abreast of the times and the preaching for the times, which car- 
 ried so many preachers on to the breakers of skeptical thought, 
 never disturbed him for a moment. He did not believe that 
 God was mistaken as to His plans, or that His omniscience failed 
 to comprehend all times and seasons, or that human nature and 
 its requirements would ever be essentially different. 
 
 I know of no man who could better have adopted the 
 language of the great Apostle, as the aim of his ministerial life, 
 as recorded in I Cor. ii:i-5. 
 
 44 
 
J)r, ^lang n yaslor* 
 
 REV. S. G. MINER. 
 
 f OME of the remarks I intended to make have been so well 
 expressed in the Biographical Sketch, that I need not 
 ^ dwell upon Dr. Stone’s pastoral gifts and work to any 
 considerable length. 
 
 He was an earnest Christian minister, and whatever his 
 hands found to do, he did with his might. He was consecrated 
 to Christ, therefore ready for sacrifice or service. He possessed 
 pre-eminently the elements and qualifications of a good pastor 
 and minister of Jesus Christ, — a sound judgment and wise dis- 
 cretion, and the one great object, to point men and women to 
 Christ, who takes away their sins. These have been conceded 
 to him by all who knew him best. 
 
 In his pastorate in La Fayette, I know he was very faithful 
 and eminently successful. In his preaching, prayer-meetings, 
 and other public meetings, in his visitations, in families and by 
 the way-side, he seemed to be in association with the Spirit and 
 power of God. His pastoral and mission work were both 
 crowned with wonderful success. 
 
 When he went to Rockford, the church was like a boisterous 
 sea, or raging ocean of human minds. The former pastor, a 
 man of talent, had swung out into gross errors, and had taken 
 a considerable number of the membership with him, so that it 
 was not a very happy place to go to. Brother Stone, by his wisdom 
 and discretion, proved himself, under God, equal to the emerg- 
 ency. Those who remained faithful to the truth were gathered 
 together, strengthened and encouraged, and peace was restored. 
 A gracious revival ensued, and many members added to the 
 church. 
 
 45 
 
At Marengo his labors were attended with great blessing to the 
 church, and large accessions. After a long and prosperous pas- 
 torate, I asked him why he thought of resigning. He remarked, 
 “the most of the ])eople are converted, and I want to be where 
 I can reach the most souls with the Gospel,’* thus shewing his 
 ruling passion to be the salvation of souls. 
 
 Of his pastorate here, I need not speak. You all know his 
 labors were abundant, and the afflictions of himself and wife. 
 
 There were two important elements in his character. 
 
 First, his power to impress on other minds his own convic- 
 tions. God gave Dr. Stone this power in his preaching and 
 work for the salvation of souls; and this is one of the secrets 
 of the success of our brother that is gone. 
 
 Second, his power of adaptation. Sometimes he seemed to 
 assume power and decision that was like a lion, shaking his 
 mane and roaring; and he would preach God’s truth so as to 
 make men quail under it. But when entering the family circle, 
 or meeting with earnest seekers, O ! how' tender and childlike 
 he was. He lived for God and for others, rather than for him- 
 self, and this was the crowning feature of his whole life. 
 
 In all his affliction, we never heard him utter a word of 
 complaint. I said to him on one occasion “Brother Stone, God’s 
 providence seems a great mystery to me; I cannot fathom it.” 
 He replied, “Brother Miner, God never makes any mistakes.” 
 And now he is gone home. In one of my last visits he said to 
 me, “I want to go home. I thank God, my work is done. I 
 don’t want to stay here any longer.” Let us all thank God that 
 he left such sweet flavor of Christ’s name behind him. 
 
 46 
 
!i[rom i^nnl| m fflarango* 
 
 To the Pastor of the First Baptist Churchy Bloomington^ JU: 
 
 Dear Brother: — Among those gathered in the service to 
 be held in memory of Rev. O. B. Stone on March 12th, 1889, 
 we desire to be present with you, as members of a church he 
 honored by his pastorate, and which loyally loves him, and 
 cherishes his memory to-day. 
 
 For four years he was the beloved pastor of the Marengo 
 Church. They were years of large growth in numbers, in 
 development of the work, and in abiding influence. To Bro. 
 Stone and his devoted wife, the church are very largely indebted 
 for the rise of that Missioji Spirit^ which has, since his pastorate, 
 characterized the years. 
 
 By many of those, who wrought with him so heartily, he has 
 been rejoined, in the immortal life. Those that remain, cherish 
 his name and worth and work with loving hearts. The Church 
 has had no other leader more noble and devoted. The mention 
 of his name is an inspiration still. 
 
 “He that doeth the will of God ahideth forever.” It is this 
 o?ieness of will ivith His Father^ that gives Jesus of Nazareth 
 His immortal influence over the hearts and minds of men. It is 
 the open secret of the powerful influence of such men as O. B. 
 Stone. They seek to do God's will ! They have His poiver! 
 They abide! Like the Divine One, they leave the earth in their 
 transcient personality, that they may come again in abiding 
 spiritual power. So heaven does not e?id^ but increases the 
 influence of such men as Bro. Stone. 
 
 We need not sing of him: 
 
 “He is gone: Sweet human love is gone! 
 
 Tis’ only when they spring to heaven, 
 
 That angels reveal themselves to us! 
 
 They sit all day beside us, and lie down at night by us — 
 
 Who, caring not for their presence, ruse or sleep; 
 
 And all at once they leave us \ — 
 
 And we know them. ” 
 
 47 
 
Death brings us no revelations concerning our beloved 
 brother. We knew him! He did not need to go to heaven for 
 that. We knew him to be like the sun — full of light and heat. 
 He made us glad; because he carried the day within his souL 
 We think these words belong to him : 
 
 “In the third watch, alert and brave; 
 
 O, joy, the King to see; 
 
 To mark his anxious, scanning look 
 Light up, beholding me! 
 
 The long watch past; the sobbing fight 
 Ended; the victory won; 
 
 And, O, for me, His word of praise: 
 
 ‘ Servant of God, well done' ” 
 
 Most affectionately, your brothers and sisters in the Marengo 
 Baptist Church, 
 
 A. G. Dunsford, Pastor, 
 
 L. K. Crissey, Clerk, 
 
 Marengo, March 8th, 1889. 
 
REV. E. J. THOMAS. 
 
 T WAS my privilege to welcome Dr. O. B. Stone into the 
 
 Bloomington Baptist Association, in this city on the i8th 
 
 ^ of Nov., 1876. Now it is my sad pleasure to review his 
 influence on this field. Here he has been most of the time for 
 the last twelve years. 
 
 Divine revelation informs us that, “ no man liveth to him- 
 self.” We are imitators; we follow in the footsteps of each 
 other. Every one contributes to lead humanity to a higher 
 plane of civilization and excellency, contributes to lead men up 
 to God; or he is by his influence vitiating and corrupting the 
 community, dragging men down to ruin. 
 
 A man is known by his characteristic traits. To ascertain 
 the influence of Dr. Stone, let us inquire what were his leading 
 life traits? 
 
 First, he was a man of convictions. On great moral and 
 religious questions, he did not waver or vacillate. He formed 
 his opinions, and his conclusions were expressed in terms that 
 were unequivocal, in clear statements, honest, without conceal- 
 ment or deception. 
 
 Second, he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit. He 
 was a devoted, consecrated man of God. He esteemed the 
 Word of God. The Bible was his text-book, the guide of his 
 life. By him, every human opinion was tested by the unerring 
 Word of God, and his aim was to reject every opinion that came 
 in conflict with that standard. 
 
 Third, he was a man of peace, Paul to the Romans said, 
 (xii:i8) ” If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peace- 
 
 49 
 
ably with all men.” To Dr. Stone, this was an agreeable com- 
 mand. But, while from choice he was a man of peace, yet if 
 from unavoidable circumstances, it was necessary to contend 
 earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, he was willing to 
 do any work his Master required of him. Rather than sanction 
 error he was a man of war — bold and vigorous in advocating 
 what he considered right. He did not tax his ingenuity to find 
 soft words of palliation for error, corruption or vice. The seal 
 of the Baptist Missionary Union, represents a noble ox standing, 
 the plow on one side, the altar on the other, with the words 
 above, “ Ready for either.” Dr. Stone, from choice, was for 
 peace, but if the Master required it, he was ready for war. 
 
 Fourth, he was a liberal man. He believed the Word of 
 God, that “ it is more blessed to give than to receive.” He 
 believed in “ honoring God with his substance,” as the Lord 
 required of His people. He was forward in doing what he con- 
 sidered to be duty and right. He was not the man to talk 
 about his proportion^ his share. He did not measure by the 
 rule of others, but by right and duty as he understood it. 
 
 Fifth, he was the patient sufferer. Under very severe afflic- 
 tions for years; patient when his body was racked with a painful 
 disease — patient when human unkindness withered rhe soul of 
 the man whose body was fast sinking to the grave. He was not 
 only faithful, but patient unto death. 
 
 Sixth, the Bible says, “ no man dieth to himself.” The 
 influence is felt. “ He being dead yet speaketh.” As he lived 
 a disciple of the Lord of life, he departed from this abode in the 
 same way, inspiring those around him to say, “ Let me live the 
 life of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” 
 
 During life, the great aim of Dr. Stone, since he became the 
 child of God by faith, was to honor Christ, his Savior. In his 
 last moments the same ruling passion was strong in death. 
 
 Wm. Carey, the pioneer missionary, who gave the heathen 
 world the Word of God in forty different languages; Adoniram 
 Judson, who gave his long, earnest, devoted life and service to 
 India, for Christ’s sake; George Dana Boardman, who com- 
 menced the work among the Karens, so greatly blessed by the 
 God of Missions; all, all these have gone to reap their reward in 
 
 50 
 
heaven, but their influence, their labors while on earth, still give 
 inspiration to others to follow in their footsteps. So it is, so it 
 will be, I am confident, in regard to the influence, the work, the 
 example of Dr. Stone among us. The workmen may die, but 
 their influence still lives to give inspiration to others. Their 
 works of faith, and labors of love follow them. Their bodily 
 presence may not be seen, but by their influence, they still 
 speak. 
 
 The earnestness, the piety, the devotion, the firmness of pur- 
 pose of our late dear Brother O. B. Stone, and his patience 
 under afflictions, shall long be remembered by those who knew 
 him, and doubtless his example will be imitated, and we will 
 thank the Lord that he ever lived in our midst. Then when we 
 remember that influence never ceases as long as time lasts, we 
 may say in the language of Montgomery : 
 
 “ Servant of God, well done; 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ; 
 
 The battle fought, the victory won, 
 
 Enter thy Master’s joy. 
 
 Soldier of Christ, well done; 
 
 Praise be thy new employ; 
 
 And while eternal ages run. 
 
 Rest in thy Saviour’s joy.” 
 
 51 
 

 WILLIAM H. HAIGH, D. D. 
 
 LL that was marked and distinctive in the life and labors 
 
 of Bro. Stone had its roots in his profound convictions 
 
 about the reality and necessity of the spiritual life. The 
 first sermon I heard him preach gave me the key to his life 
 and character. It was from the text: “Whosoever he be of you 
 that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be my^lisciple.” 
 Luke xiv : 33. His object was to show that our Lord was not 
 here making an arbitrary rule, but stating a simple fact, that 
 absolute and total surrender to Christ was indispensable to 
 learning the lessons of His school, that wherever the surrender 
 was anything but total, some command or teaching of Christ 
 would, sooner or later, cause the feet to stumble. Unconditional 
 surrender indispensable to the beginning and continuance of 
 Christian discipleship was a thought that pervaded every part of 
 his teaching, and found its way into every sermon, and address 
 and service that I ever heard from his lips. 
 
 With such convictions and with experiences corresponding to 
 them, and with his remarkable powers of presenting whatever he 
 believed, he was most naturally sought after for evangelistic ser- 
 vices. The truths which need to be emphasized in times of 
 deep religious interest, were the very truths most prominent in 
 his regular ministry, and he loved both to dwell on them, and to 
 aid his brethren in bringing them before the people. In the 
 winter of 1871-2 he gave himself entirely to this service, holding 
 meetings of great power in different parts of the State. At 
 Brimfield, in Peoria Co., he held a meeting which moved the 
 
 52 
 
whole town, bringing many prominent citizens under the power 
 of the truth. He came from Brimfield direct to Mendota, where 
 I was then Pastor, and held meetings for some weeks. He 
 lived all the time in my house, and we considered it both an 
 honor and a privilege to entertain him. He preached twice 
 every day during the whole time, and it seemed impossible for 
 such a series to be surpassed in the earnestness, thoroughness 
 and solemnity with which the truth of God was presented. He 
 was especially powerful in the detection and exposure of those 
 false motives and excuses which keep the soul away from Christ, 
 or, in the case of the Christian, keep him from full devotion and 
 fidelity to duty. 
 
 He had one sermon of special mark, addressed to moral men 
 who trust to their natural goodness and fidelity to all relations 
 with men, and who see no need of Christ. This sermon he 
 preached in various parts of the country, and in the hearing of 
 some of our ablest ministers, and it was pronounced everywhere 
 one of the most powerful sermons to which they had ever 
 listened. The text was in Malachi i:6; “A son honoreth his 
 father, and a servant his master; if then I be a father, where is 
 mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the 
 Lord.” He showed that instead of the fidelity of men in all 
 their relations to others proving that they were not sinners, it did 
 but aggavate their guilt before Cod that they loved and served 
 men, but failed to love and serve Cod. This sermon was greatly 
 blessed with us as in other places, and some men who had been 
 stout-hearted against all appeals were brought to bow in sub- 
 mission before God. 
 
 A man with such convictions, and such experiences, was 
 necessarily a missionary at heart. Whenever the voice of Cod 
 called, he was ready to obey; wherever the hand of God 
 pointed, he was ready to go. He was just the man to hear the 
 Divine call to California, at a time when that State was in the 
 midst of its earliest agitations. I have heard him describe, with 
 almost breathless interest, the days when vigilance committees 
 had to take in hand the control of ungodly men. After his 
 return to the East, he was soon selected, by reason of his 
 extensive acquaintance with the country, his powerful convic- 
 
 53 
 
tions, and his great energy, as District Secretary of the Home 
 Mission Society for the West, and for several years he gave his 
 life to this important work, at a time when the opening of the 
 New West called for special and enlarged effort to meet its 
 needs. It was during one of his visits to this State in 1866^ 
 23 years ago, that I first formed his acquaintance. In this work 
 he continued for several years, bringing to it that earnestness of 
 purpose, and loftiness of appeal for which he was most remark- 
 able. He afterwards became pastor at I. a Fayette, Ind., Rock- 
 ford, Marengo, and finally Bloomington, 111 . On all these 
 fields he carried out, in a way that never can be forgotten, the 
 principles which governed his own life. No sooner did he 
 appear at our General Association, held that year at Champaign, 
 than he made himself felt as a man of power. He stirred all 
 hearts by his vigorous appeals. He was at once placed on the 
 Committee on Higher Education, and on the State Board, and 
 was looked up to as a leader. His views of the completeness of 
 Christian consecration, gave him a leverage for appealing for 
 money which few could resist. He pressed home, with living 
 power the thought, that every Christian is a steward, and what 
 he is and what he has must be held subject to Divine call. 
 There were special occasions when his leadership in this direc- 
 tion was made memorable. 
 
 At Canton, in 1873, beginning with a plan to raise $1,000 
 for the Church Edifice Fund, his burning words wrought with 
 such power that $3,500 was raised in pledges in a few minutes. 
 At Alton, in 1875, ^ similar appeal was made in behalf of the 
 State debt, and $1,257 was quickly given. At the Carrollton 
 Association, in 1878, he was specially invited to present the 
 same theme. 
 
 Nor was this service simply public and official. He care- 
 fully, for many years, adjusted his own contributions to the 
 standard he set up for others. He was a careful, far-sighted 
 business man, and he used his utmost skill in providing means 
 for benevolent work. His liberality was unusual and well 
 known, his officers testifying, that sometimes his^ gifts for an 
 object were larger than the contributions of the whole church of 
 which he was Pastor. 
 
 54 
 
His lofty devotion showed itself in all his life. He really 
 seemed to have no conception of any need to pause or rest, or 
 that any allowance could be made for human weakness, or 
 human frailty. No martyr ever went to the stake with a finer 
 courage, or more unfaltering step, than that with which he went 
 forward in every day’s duty. In the days of the martyrs, O. B. 
 Stone would have been one of the foremost. At the same time 
 he had the tenderest and most loving heart, and I count it as 
 one of the privileges of my life to have known him and enjoyed 
 his confidence and love. 
 
 A letter just received from Rev. Dr. Bulkley, of Shurtleff 
 College, after referring to a number of the incidents just men- 
 tioned, concludes with these beautiful and appropriate words, 
 with which this brief sketch may fittingly close : 
 
 “ Few men among us have reached his altitude. Clear 
 headed, self-poised, large hearted, well balanced, symmetrically 
 developed, he was ever the trusted friend, the wise counsellor, 
 the profound divine, the pure and noble Christian gentleman. 
 No language of mine can convey my appreciation of the noble- 
 ness of his character — one of the grandest men in the Baptist 
 ministry of Illinois. I loved him as a brother, I revered him 
 as a minister.” 
 
 55 
 
JNO. L. JACKSON, D. D. 
 
 T WOULD NOT be fitting to end these memorial services 
 
 without some reference to the period of his life when 
 
 4* Dr. Stone was laid aside from active work. These were 
 years of great bodily suffering. The body cast in an iron mould 
 gradually gave way at the insidious march of that disease, which 
 always brings with it such intense anguish. It is nine years 
 since that memorable winter when he attempted the double 
 work of ministering to a suffering wife at home and carrying on 
 a revival in the church. The work was too much even for his 
 strength. Those inexorable physical laws, which regard neither 
 goodness of heart nor nobleness of purpose demanded the 
 
 That effort closed the work of his public ministry. The time 
 that elapsed since then has been a period of gradually failing 
 strength and increasing bodily pain. First he was missed from 
 the pulpit. Then the faltering step was seen no more on the 
 streets. At last his seat was vacant in the house of God, and he 
 was held a prisoner in his home. 
 
 These weary days were not spent in repining. Throughout 
 the long imprisonment he kept up a cheerful courage. He 
 would sometimes, in a half humorous way, refer to his trembling 
 limbs. His face would always light up with a smile of welcome 
 when his friends came to call upon him. He seldom referred to 
 his sufierings except when spoken to on the subject, and then he 
 always looked upon the bright side, assuring us that it was all 
 for the best, and that the Heavenly Father made no mistakes in 
 dealing with his children. 
 
 penalty. 
 
While shut up in the house his interest was still intense in the 
 world that lay without. Especially did he follow with keenest 
 sympathy the work of spreading the Gospel of Christ. The tri- 
 umphs in the Mission fields were his triumphs. The successes in 
 the local church of which he was a member were his successes. 
 Though not permitted to help by deed and exhortation, he was 
 a true helper in prayer, in consultation and in sympathy. Were 
 any in the church in trouble? He had a kind and helpful word. 
 Were any sick? He forgot his own sufferings in sympathy with 
 them. Were any asking the way to God? How deep was his 
 interest in their salvation. 
 
 During the last year of his life he was greatly concerned, with 
 the rest of the church, in the effort to erect the new house of 
 worship. He could not permit the building to go forward with- 
 out his name upon the subscription list with a generous offering. 
 When it was at last dedicated to the worship of God, and the 
 church sang the Doxology over the finished work, no heart beat 
 with greater joy over its consummation than that one which is so 
 still to-night. 
 
 In his sympathy and love for the rest of the world, it seemed 
 that he thought little of himself. I doubt not that he escaped 
 the consciousness of much suffering by his great interest in other 
 people. 
 
 Perhaps others would be glad to know what was his opinion 
 of the effect of suffering upon the moral and spiritual nature of 
 man. I remember that he once said: ‘‘The common opinion 
 
 is that sorrow softens the heart and leads men to God. This, 
 however, is not its natural effect. Without the grace of God, to 
 teach patience and submission, it will harden the heart and 
 lead to doubt and unbelief. Nothing but divine grace can make 
 affliction a blessing to the race.” 
 
 He had that grace in his heart, and so he received the bless- 
 ing that may accompany pain and anguish of body. I observed 
 that, as the months passed by and his bodily afflictions became 
 more severe, he grew more tender to those about him, and more 
 trusting in the kind Father in heaven. His great, strong nature 
 ripened into the beauty and grace of a childlike experience. 
 The Sculptor aimed every blow with infinite wisdom, taking off 
 
 57 
 
the rough edges, and leaving the character rounded, smooth and 
 beautiful. 
 
 During the closing months people would sometimes say to 
 me, “We cannot visit Dr. Stone. He suffers so much that it 
 excites our sympathy and gives us pain.” For my own part, I 
 seldom thought of that home as a place of suffering. I found 
 there such patience and cheerfulness, such trust in God, and 
 love for men, that it seemed a very gate of heaven. I used to 
 delight to linger there. I was his pastor, but he was more than 
 pastor to me. A minister of the gospel of large and varied 
 experience, a saint of God, triumphant in the midst of great 
 affliction, I found in his society a strength and inspiration for 
 my work, such as I often sorely needed. 
 
 In calling to mind these nine long years of waiting, I do not 
 think that we should allow our thoughts to dwell chiefly upon 
 his afflictions. With his pain came much pleasure, and in his 
 sorrow he had great joy. He had meat to eat that the world 
 knew not of. I have heard it often said that in his home was 
 the greatest suffering in our fair city. I do not know but that 
 it was the happiest home in the city. Perhaps in all our broad 
 streets there was not a happier man than he. I know he had 
 much reason to rejoice and be glad. God had given him many 
 blessings, some of the very richest that a mortal can enjoy. He 
 had a family, — and what a family! With loving children minis- 
 tering to every want, watching over him with tenderest sympa- 
 thy; with a wife, a true helpmeet in days of strength, and a 
 brave fellow-sufferer in days of weakness, what more could 
 a man ask for to make on earth a happy home. When such a 
 home becomes a prison, as indeed his was to him, love trans- 
 forms it into a palace, and makes his chains ornaments of gold. 
 He had more than the love of home. The church, of which he 
 was a faithful pastor in the days of his strength, and in whose 
 service he sacrificed his health, did not forget him in his afflic- 
 tion. As far as they were permitted, they were glad to do any- 
 thing to smooth the bed of pain. Even beyond what their 
 hands could do, their love went out in sympathy and prayer for 
 him. The Baptist Brotherhood, in this state and in other states, 
 did not forget his services in the cause of Christ, and constantly 
 
 58 
 
sent to him assurances of their good-will and their appreciation 
 of his work. 
 
 With such a home, such a church, such a brotherhood, could 
 the severest pain rob him of his joy? Could bodily anguish 
 reach deep enough to disturb his peace of mind? 
 
 Beyond all earthly love and sympathy was the fellowship 
 with his Saviour, which transformed his sick room into a Bethel, 
 and made the closing years of his sorrowful pilgrimage a verit- 
 able walk to Emmaus. 
 
 Shall we call such a life a suffering one? How false will be 
 our memory of his closing years, if we bring his pain into the 
 foreground, and regard that as his chief portion. He had an 
 inheritance of good things, such as few men on earth have en- 
 joyed. He was rich in the estate which his Heavenly Father 
 had given him, and he lived in it contented and happy to the 
 last. 
 
 The end has come. The story of his life has been told. 
 The earthly joy and sorrow are passed. I'o him the golden 
 gates have opened. The Master has already said, ‘‘Well done, 
 good and faithful servant.” 
 
 59 
 
/ 
 
^jemorial 
 
THE Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the Bloomington 
 Church in 1887, a historical sketch was read from the 
 ^ pen of Dr. S. Bishop, deacon of the church for many 
 years. From it we take the following extract: 
 
 “In the beautiful, tender and impressive farewell sermon of 
 Dr. C. E. Hewitt, he bespeaks for the church ‘ that soon his 
 successor be secured, and that he be an honesty soimd^ judicious^ 
 devoted pastor, who conscientiously and earnestly preaches the 
 Gospel of Christ; a man who will both feed and tend the flock 
 of God.’ 
 
 “ This language seems almost prophetic, for on the 15th 
 day of October following, it had a literal fulfilment. Dr. O. B. 
 Stone was the succeeding pastor, and the ideal one of Mr. 
 Hewitt. He was honesty he was sounds he was judicious^ he was 
 a devoted pastor, he did conscientiously and earnestly preach the 
 Gospel of Christ, and he did both feed and tend the flock of 
 God ; and, sorrowful to be said, lie was offered up ‘ upon the 
 sacrifice and service of their faith.’ For towards the close of a 
 four years’ service, he was compelled from failing health, brought 
 on from excessive daily labor, and care by night for his sick 
 wife, to ask the church that his pastorate might close the last 
 Sabbath in July. This beloved man of God, though ever since 
 that time entirely disabled, still lives among us, a monument of 
 self-sacrificing devotion in the interests of others, and of cheer- 
 ful faith, and patience in suffering. During Dr. Stone’s pastorate 
 there were 168 additions, 98 of whom were by baptism.” 
 
 The following beautiful tribute was published in the 
 Examiner, 
 
 REV. O. B. STONE, D. D. 
 
 “ This noble and stalwart man of God passed to his reward 
 and rest a short time ago, in the city of Bloomington, III. He 
 
 63 
 
was born in Homer, N. Y., and at the age of eighteen he was 
 baptized by Dr. Edward Bright. Dr. Stone was educated at 
 Madison University and Rochester Theological Seminary, and 
 was ordained to the ministry in Xenia, O., the sermon being 
 preached by Dr. D. B. Cheney. He began his work in the far 
 West, taking the Gospel into the saloons and gambling dens of 
 the Pacific coast. In 1864 he received an appointment as Home 
 Mission Secretary, his field being the entire region west of 
 New York and Pennsylvania. After three years service he was 
 offered the Secretaryship with Dr. Backus, but his longing for 
 the pastorate was so great that he declined this appointment. 
 
 “And what a noble work in the pastorate he did! He was 
 a man of the very deepest convictions, and of a mighty courage. 
 I have seen and heard him lift up his bold voice against some 
 popular local evil, though others were weak, and trembling, and 
 silent. There was something majestic and awe-inspiring in him 
 at such times, and men felt as though he were clothed with the 
 power and authority of the Almighty; he impressed men as a 
 messenger of God. In his pastoral work he was indefatigable, 
 and was always doing evangelistic work in some out-station, 
 riding through night, and storm, and bitter cold to preach the 
 Gospel, and persuade men to become reconciled to God. He 
 was a man also of large generosity, setting an example of giv- 
 ing to his churches, and he was unselfish and hospitable to the 
 extreme. 
 
 “In 1879, while pastor at Bloomington, III., he was stricken 
 with paralysis, and has since been growing more and more help- 
 less with the years. All this time his wife has been also greatly 
 afflicted, but no word of complaint have I ever heard escape 
 his lips — cheerful, happy, hopeful, patient, thankful, sunny and 
 bright down to the last. A noble, heroic, self-denying, mighty 
 man of valor and of God has fallen in the ranks; but his mem- 
 ory is sacred, and his name is honored, and his work endures. 
 May his mantle fall on us. He was at one time a faithful and 
 loving pastor of mine, and as I think of this bold prophet 
 ascending to his God, my soul cries out, ‘My Father, my 
 Father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof.’ ’’ 
 
 Kittredge Wheeler. 
 
 64 
 
“ We were not taken by surprise to hear of the departure of 
 Bro. Stone. Ever since we were with you we had been looking 
 for it. Indeed, in view of his constant suffering, our prayer had 
 been: Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, and take him to his long 
 desired rest; and yet if health could have been restored, for 
 none could we have desired a longer stay in this world than he. 
 He was a noble and excellent man, we loved him as a brother, 
 A man of wonderful intellectual power, and all of his ability of 
 body and mind consecrated to the cause of Christ. Work was 
 his delight, and none labored more indefatigably, while permitted 
 to do so. And he was encouraged by the evidence that his 
 labors were not in vain in the Lord. Wherever he proclaimed 
 the Gospel, he made a deep impression, he spoke as one divinely 
 commissioned, and many were the trophies he won to the Savior, 
 which are now studding his crown. We shall never forget his 
 labors with us in Brimfield, when some fifty were gathered into 
 the church, and his influence for good is still felt there; and so it 
 is in all the fields where he toiled. Now, while he rests from his 
 labors, his works do follow him; yes, and they will continue to 
 follow him to the end of time. His long period of patient 
 suffering has made an impression in Bloomington, throughout 
 Illinois, and wherever he was known, that will long be felt. While 
 shut away from the world, he was more powerfully than ever 
 preaching to the world.’’ 
 
 A. Guy. 
 
 “I have just heartl that your dear husband has gone to his 
 rest, and is to be buried to-day. It is just too late to go in 
 person, as I wish I could do, but I hasten to send you a word 
 of sympathy. 
 
 “Doubtless the friends will sing to day these words so fitting 
 for him: 
 
 “ ‘Servant of God, well done, 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ. 
 
 The battle fought, the victory won, 
 
 Enter thy Master’s joy. ’ 
 
 “His name might have been Boanerges, for while like John, 
 he had a great loving heart, he was verily one of the ‘ Sons of 
 
Thunder.’ He was a man of great devotion and of great power 
 in public appeal. He was especially great in great emergencies^ 
 “If he had a weakness, it was in allowing himself to do too 
 much. I felt very sad when he broke down, and have had great 
 sympathy with both of you since; I do not now feel sad on his 
 account. The long waiting is over, and the reward is his. Praise 
 God!” 
 
 C. IT Hewitt. 
 
 “ Your letter tells us that he entered Heaven on the morning 
 of Wednesday, Feb. 20th. Blessed day! We are not able to 
 regard it so much as the day of his death, as of his promotion 
 into the company of the just made perfect in Immanuel’s Land; 
 the consummation of his intense desires and prayers, from which 
 our love for him would not have detained him for a single hour. 
 'Phat the child of a King has gone home to the glory of his 
 Father’s house, we are assured. VVe congratulate him. We 
 congratulate We congratulate that immortal company. 
 
 “ ‘What did we ask, with all our love for him, 
 
 But just a little breath of fuller life 
 To float the laV)oring lungs. And God 
 Hath given him Life itself, Everlasting Life. 
 
 “ ‘ What did we seek ? Some healing clime 
 
 For him we loved ? He has found that shore. 
 
 That city whose inhabitants 
 Are sick and sorrowful no more. 
 
 “ ‘ What did we wish but perfect peace 
 
 To soothe the troubled anguish of his breast; 
 
 And numbered with the loved and called, 
 
 He enters an untroubled rest.’ 
 
 “ feel that with you are the tenderest emotions of 
 
 our hearts, and unspeakable sympathy. May the sweet con- 
 solations, the words fragrant of comfort and joy, with which 
 you have comforted many another suffering heart come back to 
 you after many days, as bread and wine, to strengthen and 
 cheer your owm.” 
 
 In all the tenderness of long-standing affection. 
 
 Your Brothers and Sisters 
 
 IN THE Marengo Baptist Church. 
 
 66 
 
“It does seem to me that above all the ambassadors of the 
 Master, Dr. Stone was sent to me direct, with a special message, 
 as a teacher, leader, comforter and help. I look back to the 
 days when he first came to Bloomington, and call to mind the 
 sermons upon Christian character and Christian work. They 
 were so helpful to me in young manhood, when I was seeking 
 or waiting for my work to be pointed out to me. 
 
 “January, 1878, by his influence, I was elected Superintend- 
 ent of our Sabbath school. Unfit and inexperienced I stood 
 before him and before the Master trembling. It was then that 
 Dr. Stone, in his gentle, loving way, taught me that my strength, 
 as well as his, was in our weakness, and he went with me to the 
 source of strength, wisdom and experience, asking that Strong 
 Arm to aid and guide. Then it was that I undertook the work, 
 as best I could, of leading the children to the Savior. This was 
 the beginning of what has proven to me so beneficial, a work I 
 have enjoyed more than any other I ever attempted. During 
 the years that he was my pastor, not a week passed without our 
 •consulting together, and bringing to the Savior together the 
 interests of our school, which was at that time larger than it had 
 ever been before. In the children’s meetings, many were 
 brought into the church, and to the knowledge of the truth. 
 
 “As soon as I w^as fairly started in the work of the Superin- 
 tendent, God seemed to open up larger fields to me. As from 
 township Presidency to county, district, and finally to the state 
 Presidency, Dr. Stone was by my side, in counsel and in prayer, 
 and at every turn, and upon all occasions, he seemed to enjoy 
 ray success at the hands of the Lord as much as his own. 
 I can but say that all that I have been able to accomplish under 
 God, the credit largely belongs to that dearly beloved, ever 
 kind and faithful pastor. 
 
 “When laid aside from actual service, again he was a won- 
 derful help to me, as well as to all who knew him. His patience, 
 his smiles, his trust, were sermons more comprehensive, more 
 effectual, if possible, than those he preached from the pulpit, 
 for what he preached while in health, he lived and enjoyed while 
 in affliction. He who so often told us that the Lord, in time of 
 trouble, would hide us in the secret of His pavillion, proved that 
 
 67 
 
God fulfilled all his promises. His patient life and kind words 
 are to-day not only ringing in my ears, and remembered in my 
 heart, but also in the hearts and ears of those that knew him. 
 His life and his death are positive evidences of the truth of 
 the religion which he professed and taught, that Christ and His 
 grace are sufficient to the Christian, in joy and in sorrow, in 
 health and in sickness, in life and in death.’’ 
 
 J. R. Mason. 
 
 Rockford, Feb. 21st. 
 
 Dear Sister : — “ I mentioned the death of your dear husband 
 in our meeting last evening. All who knew him were much 
 affected and seemed deeply moved. The pastor. Dr. S., imme- 
 diately arose and made some very touching remarks, and 
 requested that we spend a season of prayer for God’s blessing 
 upon the family of our deceased brother. Some fifteen minutes 
 were then spent in this way, and I was requested to convey the 
 sympathies of the church to you in this hour of affliction.” 
 
 S. P. Crawford. 
 
 “How thankful I am that dear uncle’s last hours were so quiet 
 and easy. Oh ! how he has suffered ! What a change it must be 
 for his liberated soul ! It sends a thrill through me to think of 
 the glories which surround him this moment, and to think we 
 shall soon join him. I am so glad that I had the opportunity of 
 hearing his voice, and receiving his blessing before he went 
 home to glory. O, that I may be a worthy successor. May his 
 ministerial mantle fall on me. I do treasure what I have received 
 from him so highly. His useful life has been a continual 
 inspiration.” 
 
 I^. W. Terry. 
 
 My Dear Mother : — “May God sustain you in this hour of 
 great affliction. While we all sorrow, and you above us all, that 
 dear father is no longer with us, we can not but rejoice that he 
 
 68 
 
has found rest, and that he is far happier now than when he was 
 with us. I love my father, and his nobility of character shall 
 ever live in my memory, and encourage me in my journey 
 through life. I have never yet met a man more consecrated to 
 God’s service. I never knew him to avoid any Christian work 
 because of its unpleasantness. He was willing to die daily, that 
 lost souls might be led to enlist under the banner of Christ. 
 Dear mother, as he has helped you, so he is helping and will 
 continue to help me. It is a great hardship for us to be away 
 from you at this time.” 
 
 Your Sorrowing Son, 
 
 Ed. 
 
 “No preaching of the Word ever took hold on me, as did his 
 plain, earnest presentation of it; every sermon seemed for me^ 
 and I appropriated it to my own benefit. His prunings were 
 often humiliating to my pride, but always healthful to my soul, 
 and I shall always thank God that I had the privilege of his 
 teaching. I count it a great honor, too, to have been one 
 of his intimate personal friends, and to have had his influence in 
 my home, in leading my husband and children to Christ. When 
 others had urged my husband to join the Church thinking he was 
 converted, he urged him to ‘ repent, and turn to the Lord,’ and 
 this plain exhortation he heeded to the savdng of his soul. The 
 children have always loved and revered him, and loved to hear 
 him preach. Though his sermons might not have seemed 
 specially adapted to children, yet the truth plainly spoken does 
 reach the hearts of the children. I count it such a privilege 
 during these years of his sickness to have met him often, and 
 death will never seem so dreadful, since I have seen how he 
 looked upon it so calmly, even cheerfully.” 
 
 D. L. McF. 
 
 “We have been living over in memory the years of the past, 
 when we ‘took sweet counsel together’ concerning the Master’s 
 work. How much we used to enjoy your visits and Bro. Stone’s 
 sermons. How they helped us. His words and his influence 
 
 69 
 
still live to bless many, though he himself has gone. We pray 
 there be revealed to you such visions of glory as shall make you 
 to forget the pain and sorrow of earth.” 
 
 E. B. F. 
 
 ‘‘Asleep in Jesus; gone to rest; basking in the pure light 
 of heaven; singing the songs of the redeemed around the throne 
 of God. O, what joy is his to-day, freed from all pain and 
 suffering, and ‘safe in the arms of Jesus.’ He has gone just a 
 little in advance, and is now waiting to give you a cheerful and 
 joyous welcome.” H. M. O. 
 
 “I imagine there was a shout of victory as he entered through 
 the gates, for he went bearing his sheaves with him. I shall 
 never forget his kindness to me and mine. Dear mother loved 
 him so dearly. How disappointed she was if anything hindered 
 his daily visit to her. He was, indeed, a faithful and loving 
 shepherd.” J. C. 
 
 “I shall always remember him with great affection. His calls 
 were always so helpful to me. I shall never forget that evening 
 before you went away, as we knelt together in the parlor, and 
 united in prayer that God’s blessing might rest upon us. My 
 heart was very tender as we sang those beautiful hymns that you 
 and Mr. Stone used to sing with so much expression.” 
 
 M. E. B. 
 
 “Those of us who have worked with Mr. Stone, can testify 
 that he was a grand, good man, earnest and faithful. can 
 
 truly say that he was a ‘ good steward of the manifold grace of 
 God,’ and what more can we say.” 
 
 F. W. P. 
 
 “I have just heard of Dr. Stone’s death. I feel that in his 
 demise I have lost a most trusty adviser, as well as a dear friend.” 
 
 D. D. H. 
 
 70 
 
“I mourn with those that mourn. He baptized me. I loved 
 him because he was like a father; always greeted me with a 
 smile, even when suffering untold agony. 
 
 E. F. P. 
 
 “O, what a joyful release. ‘No crape, no mourning, no 
 darkening of the windows for one on whom has fallen the light 
 of the eternal kingdom; no tears for him who has gone where 
 tears are wiped away forever.’ Our hearts go out in sympathy 
 for you, but we feel that He, who never lays a new burden with- 
 out giving strength to meet it, is nigh.” 
 
 E. 1... P. 
 
 “I think of you as I last saw you, sitting there together so 
 cheerful, your children, so helpful and kind. Then I think of 
 the morning prayers, when heaven seemed to come down our 
 souls to meet at the blest mercy seat.” 
 
 T). S. K. 
 
 “ ‘Christ was in him the hope of glory,’ and that to the help 
 of many. In times of discouragement and trial, I have had such 
 spiritual help and comfort from him. As I came away from 
 your home, I felt each time that I had been blessed of the 
 dear I.ord, through the words spoken there.” 
 
 P. C. 
 
 “To-night the news has reached us, that the dear saint has 
 entered into rest. How blissful has been this, his first Sabbath 
 in Paradise ! 
 
 ‘ In the sweet fields of Eden, 
 
 There is rest for the weary.’ 
 
 The measure of his suffering was at last full, and the patient 
 waiting for release, is now receiving infinite reward. A song of 
 victory seems more fitting than any sound of mourning. Even 
 your lone heart could not for a moment desire his recall.” 
 
 Mrs. H. H. H. 
 
 71 
 
“ ‘ Naught of grief or care 
 Shall he know now, nor ever burdens bear; 
 
 For, far beyond the darkness was he led, 
 
 Until at last, by Life’s great fountain head. 
 
 He breathed the essence of eternal air 
 In Heaven’s fields, in those bright valleys where 
 There is no sorrow, and there are no dead; 
 
 Peace, rest and hope, all these, I know are his. 
 
 By the heavenly gates. 
 
 Past the dark billows of the unknown sea. 
 
 Through all the days to come, he bravely waits. 
 
 Loving and true, he waits to welcome thee,’ ” 
 
 C. C. F. 
 
 72 
 
Jijermows. 
 
I had. not thought I could make any use of my hus- 
 band’s sermons, as none of them are completely written. 
 But while waiting for a few days, for an expected paper, 
 my daughter brought them to me, to examine. I was 
 delighted to find that I could make a rather full outline 
 of some of them. I said, “my husband shall preach 
 again.” And so these few briefs are presented, accom- 
 panied by the prayer that the Spirit of God may more 
 than compensate to the reader what is lacking in per- 
 sonal presence, and elucidation of thought. I would that 
 they might be censidered as a message of comfort, warn- 
 ing or exhortation, directly from their author, with the 
 added emphasis which the light of the unseen world 
 would give them. 
 
Mark, xvi : 15-16 ye into all the iuo 7 'ld and preach the 
 Gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized 
 shall be saved ^ but he that believeth not shall be damned P 
 
 COMMAND of Christ comes with so much emphasis to 
 S 1^ His people. This was His last command. Words more 
 compact and mighty were never uttered. For three years 
 He had been teaching His followers how and what to do. 
 He now gathers up and embodies in one brief lesson the main 
 ])oints; a lesson which is forever to be to His church a compen- 
 dium of both doctrine and duty. 
 
 Then, too, the circumstances under which this lesson or com- 
 mand was given, gives great weight and impressiveness; the 
 pains Christ took to have all present — the repeated notices 
 previously given of that meeting in Galilee, at which He gave 
 the command. He had threaded His way alone, only a few 
 followers. But He seemed intent upon having one great meet- 
 ing, one general gathering. Before His death He gave notice of 
 it “After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Then 
 on the morning of His resurrection, when those women stood by 
 His empty tomb, two angels appeared to them and gave them 
 this message: “He is risen, but go tell His disciples, that He 
 goes before you into Galilee.” He gave notice, and now 
 reminds them. Then later, Jesus himself meets them, and says: 
 “Go, tell my brethren, that I go into Galilee; there shall they 
 meet me. ” They must have spread the notice, for five hundred 
 assembled in response to it. The most intense interest must 
 have been awakened. These repeated notices must have 
 awakened the highest expectations of what should transpire 
 there. All eyes were open, all ears were listening. The com- 
 munications of that hour, will carry emphasis and weight, such 
 as will come from no other hour. 
 
 And what is the communication which He has to make, and 
 for which He called all these together, many from distant places? 
 He appears in their midst and says : “Go ye into all the world 
 and preach the Gospel to every creature ; He that believeth and 
 is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be 
 damned.” This is all. If He said or did anything beside, it is 
 not recorded. 
 
 75 
 
He again repeats this command at the moment of His ascen- 
 sion, as His farewell words. The command was first given to 
 the five hundred, who represented all His followers; then to 
 those who gathered around Him, and witnessed His ascension. 
 
 Now, in the light of these facts, can there be any question as 
 to the main work of the Church, through all time? Could in- 
 struction be more definite, explicit, emphatic? And there is a 
 depth of meaning in every word. This command was to be 
 emblazoned on every Christian banner, and sway every Christian 
 heart. These words are packed with doctrine, as well as duty. 
 The duty here enjoined is to “preach the Gospel;” that is 
 publish it; carry the joyous message to every creature. If you 
 are to carry an oral message, the first thing is to understand the 
 message. Without it you run in vain. Now what is the message 
 that we are commanded to carry to every creature? It is called 
 the Gospel. What is the good news, the message which is for 
 every one? It is this, that a Savior has been provided; that the 
 sentence of death upon you has been lifted; that Jesus has died 
 in our stead, has paid the debt we owe; that “God so loved the 
 world, that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us;” that 
 you are out from under the curse of the law; that He has 
 redeemed you; that “He died for your sins, and rose again 
 for your justification;” that He has settled all the claims that 
 the Father held and all the claims of law. The law has no 
 claims. The Father has no claims. We are only amenable to 
 Christ. “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all 
 judgment to the Son.” He determines upon what terms we may 
 be saved, and he has made the terms easy, so easy that all may 
 be saved. He says: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be 
 saved.” 
 
 But what am I to believe in order to be saved? Believe 
 that He died for me; that he paid the debt for me. “Believe 
 the record that God gave of His Son.” What is the record? 
 “That God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten 
 Son to die for them;” that “He laid upon Him the iniquities of 
 us all;” that “He bore our sins in His own body;” that “He 
 made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be 
 made the righteousness of God in Him.” Believe that “He 
 tasted death for every man;” that “He put away sin by the 
 sacrifice of Himself;” that “He gave Himself a ransom for us;” 
 that “as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all, so by 
 the righteousness of one, the free gift is upon all;” that “as by 
 the disobedience of one many were made sinners, so by the 
 obedience of one, many are made righteous.” Believe this 
 record; that these are facts. Every one is called upon to believe 
 that his sins are canceled; that his sins are put away, washed 
 
 76 
 
away, remitted. He is to believe this, and then declare it in 
 baptism. He is to express it in this beautiful symbol. Believe 
 that your sins are washed away, and then go down into the 
 water and express it. Put the fact believed into a symbolic 
 form. Believe that your heart is sprinkled from an evil con- 
 science, then let your body be washed in water to symbolize the 
 cleansing. Believe that Christ’s blood on the heart i as purified 
 it, then declare it. Symbolize in the outward what has tran- 
 spired within. Believe that your sins are remitted, then be 
 baptized for this remission, on the account of it, for the reason 
 of this remission. You believe that Christ died and rose in your 
 stead; that you died and rose with Him; now declare this in 
 baptism. Be buried with Him by baptism. Go down into this 
 symbolic death with Him, and be raised with Him to newness 
 of life. 
 
 In ba])tism we declare in a figure that we are saved. Peter 
 says, by the ark eight souls were saved, “the like figure where- 
 unto baptism doth now save us, not the putting away of the 
 sins of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience before 
 God.” If we believe that we are saved, conscience demands 
 that we confess it. 
 
 Then Peter goes on to say that God has given evidence that 
 we are saved, in that He hath raised up Christ from the dead, 
 and put Him at His right hand. We are to believe that we are 
 saved by the death and resurrection of Christ, and then confess 
 it in baptism. True, Christ did not always put in baptism He 
 promised salvation to believers, but He assured us that if we 
 believed, we would obey. 
 
 Then believing in Christ, is believing in Him as a substitute; 
 and believing in Christ as a substitute involves a great deal. 
 It is a most comprehensive moral transaction. It is a confes- 
 sion of sin that is most humiliating; a recognition of helplessness. 
 It is a recognition of God’s love. It is voluntarily identifying 
 one’s self with Christ. So we can say as Paul did, ‘‘it is no 
 longer I that live, but Christ lives within me.” 
 
 And it takes away all sense of condemnation. “ He that 
 believeth in me is not condemned.’’ He has no sense of con- 
 demnation. He cannot have, for to believe in Christ is to 
 believe that he paid our debt. How feel a debt that is paid? 
 Were you owing at a bank, and one came and said, “ I have 
 paid your debt,” and after this you feel that you owe — why this 
 feeling? You don’t believe your friend who says he paid it. 
 Unbelief makes him a liar. So Paul says unbelief makes God 
 a liar. 
 
 You see that there can be no condemnation to one who 
 believes. Paul exultingly exclaims, “who is he that condemnelh? 
 
 77 
 
It is Christ that justifies.” He points to the cross, to the open 
 grave, then up to the throne. See, he says, where my substi- 
 tute stands. We are in Christ. Our life is hid with Christ, 
 involved in Christ’s life, as safe as Christ is. 
 
 “ He that belie veth and is baptized shall b& saved.” We are 
 not on trial. Christ took our place under the law. The Father 
 accepted Him as our substitute. 
 
 Faiih receives Christ. Baptism declares it openly. “As 
 many of us as are baptized have put on Christ,” as soldiers put 
 on the uniform. 
 
 Now this is the Gospel we are commanded to preach to 
 every creature. Is it not good news? The good news, as if 
 there were no other. Then we are to teach them to “observe 
 all things,” not old Testament commandments, but Christ’s 
 commandments. 
 
 Then the word preach is significant. It means piihlish^ as a 
 herald. A herald was expected to leave all, and hasten and 
 publish in a full animated tone, so as to be heard, so as to 
 arrest attention; to be heard by as many as possible, never 
 stopping to argue. He must proclaim with confidence the mes- 
 sage. Manner is almost everything in a herald. It must be 
 apparent to all that he believes his message, and that he feels 
 the force of it. “We believe, therefore we speak.” A timid, 
 doubting herald is a failure, and especially one who proclaims 
 such a message as this: “he that believeth not shall be 
 damned.” He who declares that unbelief is criminal, must not 
 betray a weakness in faith. He will prove a failure if he does. 
 We are to assume that the message bears evidence of truth- 
 fulness. It needs no confirmation, or corroboration, or proof. 
 No matter how successful the argument, it destroys and takes 
 from the force of the message. From the nature of the mes- 
 sage, it stands upon its own authority; for the message is that 
 “he that believeth not shall be damned.” 
 
 The apostle said that it was by the foolishness of preaching 
 that men were saved. And he says that he preached the Word 
 with simplicity and godly sincerity; that he did not speak with 
 lieshly wisdom, so that their faith should not stand in the wisdom 
 of this world. “ My speech was not with enticing words.” He 
 let the message speak for itself. We are but servants who 
 bring the message from the King. Let the Message speak. 
 Present it as God’s message. 
 
 Jesus said, “Ye shall be my witnesses to the uttermost part 
 of the earth.” Witnesses, not aitorneys. Simply state facts. 
 An attorney may argue, plead, display logic, eloquence, learn- 
 ing; these aid him in securing a verdict, but they are dispar- 
 aging in a witness. Simplicity and sincerity give weight to his 
 
 78 
 
statement. The eyes of the court and jurors are upon him. 
 The least display of self disparages his testimony. So we stand 
 before men. Who have been the successful ministers in all 
 ages? Those who have published the message with simplicity 
 and confidence, relying upon the truth to convict, not upon 
 their logic; and this will be the case. Then does one ask, of 
 what avail is scholarship, learning, and eloquence? It requires 
 the highest, most comprehensive scholarship to see truth in all 
 its bearings, and to put truth in its clearest and simplest forms. 
 Christ can and did employ uncultured and ignorant men, but 
 when He would have a master workman, to go forth and plant 
 churches in the great cities of Asia and Europe, and under the 
 inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to mould and shape the faith and 
 ]>ractice of the churches, through all time. He selects a man of 
 highest culture and scholarship, a man who is above pedantry. 
 Then, to learning, scholarship is reckoned a ])ower. When a 
 learned man speaks, the world listen and attach importance 
 to his words. He is supposed to possess superior advantages 
 of knowing the truth. His words come with all the weight of 
 his reputed scholarship. This gives him advantage. When 
 such a man preaches the Gospel with simplicity and confidence, 
 this simple Gospel, with a soul all on fire, as if it were the 
 message^ men will listen. 
 
 Scholarship and eloquence are a ])ower when behind the 
 message, but they detract when brought to the front. It is not 
 true, or ought never to be true, that a minister, whose culture 
 and habits of thought are not much removed from his hearers, 
 should be successful. His power and success ought to be in 
 the ratio of his culture, and will be if he is wise and does not 
 pervert education. 
 
 But again, mark the language of the Commission; “Go ye.” 
 It was addressed to 500 disciples. It was meant for the Church 
 in all ages — the great work of the Church. This was to be the 
 characteristic of the Gospel dispensation. Isaiah, looking down 
 the ages, saw Zion, the Church of God, transformed into a 
 vast body of heralds, shouting from mountain top to mountain 
 top. He heard voices saying “prepare ye the way of the Lord; 
 make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every 
 valley shall be exalted, every mountain be brought low, and 
 crooked places be made straight, and rough places plain, and 
 the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.” 
 
 The Old Dispensation was anti-mission: the New is a 
 missionary dispensation. The ancient Jews were not to carry 
 the light to other nations, but to retain it. The law for them 
 was isolation, separation; now it is permeation. They had not 
 grace or moral stamina to endure contact with idolatry. God 
 
 79 
 
had to put a wall about them. They were to drive out other 
 nations from their midst. Whoever from outside nations came 
 among them, must be driven out, or must adopt their religion. 
 But as soon as the Church received power from on high, they were 
 to go to every people, preaching the Gospel. And when this 
 power came at Pentecost, observe the form that the Holy Spirit 
 assumed. ‘‘ There appeared unto them cloven tongues, as of 
 fire, and sat on each of them.’^ How significant! Tongues of 
 fire; cloven^ pointing Heavenward, sitting upon each of them. 
 They began to speak immediately ; to speak in all the languages 
 of the multitude assembled. And they spake with tongues of 
 fire. How appropriate and significant this symbol that sat upon 
 each of them. How it harmonizes with the Commission, and 
 with His prophetic promise, when the Holy Ghost is come “ye 
 shall be my witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth/' with 
 your tongues, you shall testify of me. How expressive those 
 tongues of fire, pointing Heavenward. Christ designed that 
 His church should go on, publishing with tongues of fire this 
 life message. 
 
 This is a message that angels are not allowed to publish. 
 Human beings alone are commissioned with it. And this 
 message must be brought to the ears of every human being, or 
 he is lost. Though a man, a heathen, be ever so penitent and 
 prayerful, he cannot be saved without the knowlege of Christ. 
 Cornelius may be a devout man and fear God, and give much 
 alms, and pray, and God may hear, but in order to be saved, 
 some Peter must go and preach Christ to him. An angel may 
 be sent from God to inform him where Peter is, and advise to 
 send for him. But the angel can not publish the news, he can 
 not be saved till he hears the Gospel from a man ; till he believes 
 in Christ. Paul says: “How can he believe on Him of whom he 
 has not heard, and how hear without a preacher, and how 
 preach except they be sent.” 
 
 This responsibility rests on the Church. Those who can not 
 go must send those who can go. This is the work of the Church, 
 to see that every human being hears of Christ. This is to be 
 the grand end and aim of the Church in all her plans, and in all 
 her enterprises. Every thing else is to be subordinate to this. 
 Every Christian should feel himself commissioned to this work. 
 Every Church should feel that they are organized for this. Every 
 society formed should have this as its ultimate end. Every 
 institution established by charity should have this as its ultimate 
 aim. The carrying out of this Commission should shape the 
 policy of every Church enterprise. This one purpose should 
 sway all hearts. 
 
 8o 
 
Our Lord and Master had one definite object before Him; 
 it was to provide salvation. We should have one definite object, 
 and that, to carry the news of this salvation. We are com- 
 missioned in Christ’s stead. 
 
 This is the work that interests and absorbs Heaven. “There 
 is joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that 
 repenteth.” 
 
 And Jesus assured His people that he would be with them; 
 with every one who is carrying out the Commission, down to the 
 end of time. He has been thus far, and has prospered the 
 message; He will prosper it. Talk about missions being a 
 failure; the Church has never had success in any other work. 
 She has succeeded only as animated by the missionary spirit. 
 She never will succeed without it. The early Christians seemed 
 in a degree to understand the Commission. They went every- 
 where preaching the Word, and in a few years they came near 
 filling the earth with the knowledge of Christ. Then the mis- 
 sionary spirit died out, and a long period of darkness followed. 
 Now the missionary spirit is beginning to revive. O, that it 
 might be fully revived. 
 
 How speedily would it usher in the millenium, when none 
 would say to his brother, “Know ye the J^ord,” but “all should 
 know Him, from the least unto the greatest,” and “the earth be 
 filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover 
 the seas.” 
 
 May the Lord hasten that time. 
 
Genesis, v: 24: Enoch Walked With Godd' 
 
 ^^ELIGION is personal in all senses of the word. It brings 
 man personally into the presence of a present God 
 The word religion means rebinds implying that a former 
 ^ union has been broken. When man was placed in the 
 Garden of Eden, he was in harmony with his maker. They 
 communed together and were of one accord. When man 
 sinned God departed from him. He could not abide with sin. 
 Religion is bringing the two together again — reconciling them — 
 so the Gospel is called “ the Gospel of reconciliation.” It is 
 no religion where God is viewed as an abstraction. There is no 
 binding between man and an abstraction. 
 
 The word implies personality. The object of Christ is to 
 restore the relation between man and God. He is a Mediator, 
 a Reconciler. “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us 
 to Himself through Christ.” He atones for sin, brings God and 
 man at one again. 
 
 So many confound religion and morality. There is not a 
 particle of religion in morality. Morality binds man to man : 
 religion binds to God. Morality is living right toward man : 
 religion is living right toward God. A man may be moral and 
 yet be an infidel. “ The first commandment is, Thou shalt love 
 the Lord thy God.” God’s claim is first. 
 
 What if a man walks in harmony with man, if he refuses to 
 walk in harmony with God? He is honest with man. He 
 appreciates man. Religion is a rebinding to God. It is a doing 
 for God. God does not promise rewards in the next life for 
 morality. No; He teaches that it pays here to be honest. 
 
 These Pharaisees that claim salvation on account of their 
 good deeds, Jesus says to them — You have no claims upon 
 me. You do not these things out of reverence for me. But 
 if you give a cup of water in my name, it shall have its 
 reward. If you visit the sick, or one of the least of my children 
 religiously, I will say “ come in, ye blessed of my Father.” 
 You may feed a hundred persons, but not in Christ’s name. 
 If there is any religion in it. He will reward it. 
 
 82 
 
Heaven is God’s home. He takes those there who walk 
 with him here. How out of place to receive one into Heaven 
 who has never walked with God here. 
 
 Religion is a personal transaction. It is coming back to 
 God. The first feeling of the sinner is, a sense of alienation. 
 Then the seeking of reconciliation, so he can walk with God. 
 Enoch walked with God in the dim flicker of the antedeluvian 
 period. There always have been some true men. Enoch 
 walked alone, as seeing him who is invisible. 
 
 It is a great thing to walk with God — to have such an 
 Almighty companion, the Builder of the worlds; He who 
 upholds all things; who is saying, “Fear not;’’ who will make 
 ‘‘all things work together for good;” who says, “Ask of me what- 
 soever you will.” “Cast your care on me.” “I will be a Father 
 to you.” “As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth 
 them that fear Him.” “ He enters into the feeling of our 
 infirmities. ” 
 
 Infidelity wants to build up a wall of adamant out of fixed 
 laws to shut away God. However solid and fixed the wall, it 
 cannot shut away God; no more than window glass can shut 
 away the light. It may seem solid and fixed, but we see no 
 panes of glass. Yonder sun 95,000,000 of miles away, sends 
 his myriad winged messengers right through. They never stop 
 on the pane and ask permission to come through, and we feel 
 the warmth and enjoy the light as if nothing intervened. 
 
 So God comes through fixed laws. He comes as Jesus came 
 into the upper room to the disciples and spake peace to them. 
 No bars, nor bolts, nor walls can keep God from one who is 
 reconciled to Him. He shall be filled with His company. 
 
 It is not necessary that our physical eye should see Him, but 
 our spiritual eye. “Walk as seeing Him who is invisible.” 
 Man can get nearer to God than to any other being — can be 
 united to Him. 
 
 The soul was made for God. “There is a spirit in man, and 
 the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding.” The 
 Psalmist said, “As the hart panteth after the water-brook, so 
 panteth my soul after Thee, O God.” How he grieved when 
 God forsook him. “My tears have been my meat,” he said. 
 “Cast me not away from Thy presence, take not Thy Spirit 
 from me.” 
 
 What is it to walk with God? It is to have Him so near 
 that you can talk to Him, and receive answers; that when you 
 lie down to sleep, you know that He is watching over you. It 
 is to feel “that in Thy presence is fulness of joy.” It is to 
 recognize His superintendence over all, ordering everything for 
 us. It is coming into harmony with God. It is having a most 
 
 83 
 
obedient spirit, allowing nothing to hinder our communion 
 with Him. It is shunning evil. Never doing what is question- 
 able. Never going to questionable places. “Come ye out 
 from the world.” If needs be, it is giving up alL “When my 
 father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me 
 up.” “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion.” 
 
 Notice, ^^Walk with God,” not j-// with Him. By and by, 
 we shall “sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the king- 
 dom of God.” Now, we must keep moving on. We should 
 soon fall out of company, were we to sit still. “We are workers 
 together with Christ.” Activity is the law of God. It is our 
 normal state. “Be ye doers of the Word.” Asa when entering 
 into battle prayed, “We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go 
 against this great company.” Moses proposed to “stand still 
 and see the salvation of the Lord,” but God said, “Go forward.” 
 AVe should soon fall out of company with God, if we stopped 
 moving on. There is something in motion that keeps up 
 courage. Soldiers are fearless when in battle, but cowardly in 
 camp. This is the reason so many professors are cowards. A 
 cowardly spirit comes over a church when they are doing 
 nothing. 
 
 Notice what became of Enoch in verse 24. It does not say 
 he died. The Lord took him home. There have been two men 
 whom the Lord took to heaven without dying, Enoch and 
 Elijah. Both walked with God. God sent a chariot for Elijah. 
 He was seen to go up. Whether any saw Enoch when he was 
 taken, we do not know. 
 
 What a grand termination to a godly life. Many a saint has 
 been almost translated. Heaven comes down to meet them as 
 they leave the body. Stephen saw heaven opened and Jesus 
 standing there. Thousands since then have had visions of the 
 other world as they were leaving this. God removes the curtain 
 that they may see. How often the dying say, “I was never so 
 happy as now.” “The Lord was never so near to me.” The 
 soul is often filled with rapture when departing. 
 
 Let nothing come between you and the Lord. Let no 
 friend separate you. Have to leave friends for Christ. Let no 
 interest rise before His. Be all open to the light. When you 
 read the Bible, ask “What is Thy will.” Be so easily influenced 
 that God can guide you with His eye. A parent can guide a 
 loving child by a look. Be obedient, perfectly obedient. Take 
 no thought for consequences, simply obey. 
 
 I hear some talk about essentials and non-essentials. It 
 comes from a disloyal heart. Perfectly obedient children don’t 
 call anything commanded non-essential. Hundreds have said 
 “You don’t think baptism essential to salvation do you?” I say 
 
 84 
 
‘‘Did not Jesus command it?’’ “Yes; but did He not command 
 other than essentials?” Such questioning shows a disloyal 
 heart. There is no walking with God, and trying to evade His 
 commands. 
 
 A man said to me, “ I know that Jesus commands baptism, 
 and if I thought He would not save me without it, I would not 
 sleep till I had been baptized.” Is such an one walking with 
 God? There must be perfect loyalty to God, so that if He 
 whispers a duty, you spring to it. If He only points, you run 
 the way. There is to be no half and half work. Two halves 
 don’t make a whole in obedience. No number of fractional 
 parts make an obedient act. He that forsakes all “shall receive 
 manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come, 
 life everlasting.” Forsake <2//. O, this walking with God. How 
 beautiful a sight from Heaven’s standpoint. Walking in Heaven’s 
 light toward Heaven. 
 
 Now I know that you want God to walk with you. There 
 is an infinite difference in God walking with you \ — you lead, you 
 go your way. Some are praying for the company of God. 
 They have been praying and wonder why their prayer is not 
 answered. They are not wanting to walk with God in His way, 
 but that He should walk with them in their way. 
 
 The difference between true and false conversion lies here: 
 false converts believe God has come to walk with them; true 
 converts beleive they have gone to walk with God. Self pre- 
 dominates in the false. Makes them happy to think that God 
 has come to them, is reconciled to them. You cannot tell by 
 their happiness what they are. 
 
 Ten thousand are praying for God’s coming. They mean, 
 come with me, and do me good. They do not forsake all, but 
 they put on their best behavior. The error is fundamental. 
 All their life long they are trying to keep God in company with 
 them. It is a saying “ Never go where you cannot ask the 
 Lord to go with you.” It is a false maxim. Go only where 
 the Lord asks you to go. Walk with God. Keep in His com- 
 pany. He will take you to His home in Heaven. 
 
 85 
 
Exodus, xxxiv: 6-7: And the Lord passed by before him^ and 
 
 proclaimed : The Lord^ the Lord God, merciful and gracious, 
 lo 7 igsLifferhig, and abundant in goodness and truth, keepmg 
 mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, 
 and that will by no means clear the guilty T 
 
 |.OSES was up in the mount for the second time. He had 
 been up, and the people had turned to idolatry in his 
 absence. He had seized the molten calf, burnt and 
 ground it to powder, and made the people drink of the 
 water upon which it was strewn. Moses had commanded that 
 the Levites should go into the camp and slay, and three thousand 
 were slain. 
 
 Moses was called up the second time, and then God pro- 
 claimed His character. The text contains a paradox. Most 
 that quote it would add something explanatory. Some would 
 say, it means the very guilty; others, the impenitent. But the 
 text is true. Here is His character. He is infinitely merciful 
 and just. All His graces are infinite and harmonize. He is 
 perfect. So are all His graces. If He were more merciful or 
 had more goodness than His other qualities, or if he were more 
 just, or more forgiving, then He would not be perfect. But how 
 reconcile these qualities. He is merciful and forgiving, but will 
 by no means clear the guilty. In heaven it is understood, not 
 on earth. Justice and mercy conflict. But the Bible says: “He 
 is faithful and just to forgive.” Justice demands it. 
 
 Court says, “Justice demands that you be punished so and 
 so.” He may compromise. God cannot. If the court forgives, 
 he clears the guilty. He could not do otherwise. So when the 
 Governor pardons, or men forgive each other, they clear the 
 guilty. Pardon does not remove guilt from the soul. It clears 
 men in their guilt. God don’t clear men in their guilt. He 
 cannot. The text says : God forgives and will not clear 
 the guilty. 
 
 We say Christ died for us, paid the debt, stood for us. A 
 father may die for his son. He is pardoned. Before the law 
 
 86 
 
his son is clear. But earthly courts cannot get guilt away from 
 the soul. They cannot contrive a way to do it. They may 
 contrive to make a criminal penitent, still his guilt remains 
 on him. 
 
 Now God forgives and don’t clear the guilty. The sinner 
 ceases to be guilty. So God calls them children, holy, sancti- 
 fied. This is marvellous. It confounds the wise. The Bible 
 solves the problem. God has arranged so that a forgiven sinner 
 shall be clear of guilt, free as an angel — not clear of sinftd nature^ 
 but clea7' of guUt. Not only before Heaven, but before con- 
 science is he clear. When a governor forgives, the criminal 
 goes with his head down. If all forgive, he cannot feel as if 
 innocent. Now if God forgave as a governor forgives. Heaven 
 would be no Heaven. Must I carry a sense of sin and con- 
 demnation in Heaven? Has God contrived so that we forget 
 our sins? No, no; that would have rendered moral sensibilities 
 obtuse. He washes out the stains. The Bible language is 
 remarkable. “His blood cleanseth from all sin.” “Behold the 
 Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.” “Though 
 your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” “He bore 
 our sins in His own body.” “God laid on Him the iniquities of 
 us all.” “By His stripes we are healed.” We are whole, free. 
 He has taken away the gmlt^ not simply the penalty. He took 
 the load Himself; He took the blows. “His blood cleanseth 
 from all sin.” “As far as the East is from the West, so far hath 
 He removed our transgressions from us.” “He hath blotted 
 out all our iniquities.” He don’t forgive as a Governor does. 
 He redeems, sanctifies, justifies. We are made new creatures, 
 born again. The change is radical, so there is no con- 
 demnation. 
 
 Experience corroborates this. When men believe, and God 
 forgives, they lose their sense of guilt. When we, the vilest, and 
 crushed with guilt, believed in Christ and were forgiven, the 
 load rolled off. Now we feel as free as if we had not sinned. 
 Could go into heaven, as clear as the angels. It is wonderful, 
 but just as the Bible teaches. O, how sad, if we had to carry a 
 sense of guilt with us always. Wonderful that we can have our 
 memories, and not a sense of guilt. But the Bible teaches this, 
 and experience corroborates it. Wonderful plan; wonderful 
 blood; wonderful redemption. This is work like God. What 
 confounds infidels and skeptics is, that to be in Christ, takes 
 away the sense of guilt, when we retain our memories; and that 
 the Bible teaches this, and we state the same. 
 
 Now, the truth is, when God made man. He knew that he 
 would fall. He had contrived a remedy adequate. God 
 
 87 
 
fashioned the soul, its faculties, laws, conscience. He con- 
 structed mind so that when there was sin there should be a 
 sense of guilt. He was able to remove the sense of guilt. He 
 had a right to do this, as Creator. He had a right to provide a 
 remedy. He did provide it He had a remedy in view before 
 He made man. The Bible teaches this. He so constituted 
 mind that when the guilty received Christ, they should be free 
 from guilt and the sense of guilt. So, as soon as they are par- 
 doned, they are free. He had a right to make mind thus. So, 
 as soon as a sinner believes, his soul rights itself up. There 
 is an internal work, a cleansing, a purging. It is not a forensic 
 cleansing, not a judicial cleansing. No law of our being is vio- 
 lated; no law of God is violated. ’Tis a work above human 
 reason. 
 
 God pardons as a God, as a Creator^ as the Maker of our 
 bodies, and Former of our spirits. No one but the soul’s Maker 
 could contrive this plan, or have a right to. 
 
 When men forgive, they let go the penalty. They cannot 
 enter the soul and wash it, cannot satisfy conscience. But be- 
 fore God made the soul. He had contrived a plan for cleansing 
 it. I don’t wonder that God sent an angel to tell what name 
 to give His Son: He shall be called Jesus, “for He shall save 
 His people from their sins.” He saves wholly. 
 
 We are saved, not from the consequences of sin, but from sin. 
 He did not*bear the consequences of our sins, but our sins, “His 
 blood cleanseth from all sin.” So there is no condemnation. 
 “We are complete in Him.” “He is our righteousness.” This 
 is the Gospel. It is no superficial work. God does not clear 
 the guilty. He cannot look upon sin with the least approba- 
 tion. He demands holiness — O, the holiness of God! the holi- 
 ness of heaven ! 
 
 Sinner, God does not clear the guilty. He is merciful and 
 long-suffering. He waits and wooes, and tries to bring you to 
 the fountain for cleansing — to the Lamb, who takes away sin. 
 He has provided a remedy; but He will by no means clear the 
 guilty. If He could have cleared the guilty, He never would 
 have given His Son, and His Son would never have endured 
 death for our sins. “There is none other name given among 
 men, whereby we must be saved.” 
 
 O, what a plan of salvation, so perfect. Could men devise 
 it, or angels? God only. 
 
 God can save and not disparage His character, but glorify all 
 His perfections. He makes grace more conspicuous, justice and 
 love more glorious. 
 
 Who most admire and reverence God? Who love and praise 
 Him? We see in His works something to awaken praise; but 
 
 88 
 
not till we are saved from sin, do our whole souls become vocal 
 with His praise. 
 
 O, this glorious plan ! 
 
 Do you wonder that Paul said, “If any man love not our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha?” 
 
 Do you wonder that angels desire to look into these things? 
 Yet some reject it. 
 
 God refill not clear the guilty. 
 
Isaiah, xlviii: 17: '' I am the Lord thy God^ which teacheth thee 
 to profit^ which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. ’’ 
 
 
 FAIL to realize the benevolent design of God in giv- 
 ing us the Bible, and in all its requirements, as if they 
 were arbitrary, having only His profit in view. We are 
 likely to think that God is profited by our obedience, 
 sacrifice, prayers; while the fact is, as the text affirms, we are 
 the ones who are profited. He never asks us to do anything 
 but for our profit. He is not a Master exacting service from us, 
 regardless of our interests, but He is a Father. It is all Fatherly. 
 When He dashes a cup of pleasure from our lips, and says 
 “Touch not,” He sees poison in it. It is love which would 
 keep us from that which is harmful, as a loving Father guards 
 a child. He says, “ Come out from the world, that I may be a 
 Father to you.” When He says, “Set not your affections on 
 things of earth,” He is telling you to put your affections on things 
 that are worthy, on things that are lasting. When he says, “Seek 
 first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” and “ Take 
 no thought for the morrow” what you shall eat and drink and 
 wear, it is a rich Father directing you. He says, don’t worry 
 about the future, serve me, trust me, I will provide. When He 
 says, ‘‘always abounding in the work of the Lord,” it is not that 
 He needs our service, but it is for our good to do the service. 
 When He says, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice unto God,” 
 it is not that He is benefited by the sacrifice, but for our bene- 
 fit. When He says, “Give, and it shall be given to you;” it is all 
 because He wants to give. He kept the Jews giving the first 
 and the best of their possessions, so He could bestow great 
 blessings upon them, and He did so bless them when they 
 brought their offerings. It was all for their profit. God did 
 not need their gifts, they needed to give, so that they would 
 recognize their Father, His goodness, and His claims upon them. 
 God can do great things for us, when we recognize Him as the 
 giver of what we possess. We soon forget His claims upon 
 us unless we meet them. Let a man go on to a farm, or into a 
 house, and live without paying rent, and he will by and by claim 
 
 90 
 
it as his own. God required the Jews to give constantly for 
 their profit. He did not need their gifts nor their service He 
 required them as a kind, loving Father for their good. He 
 wants us to make the most of ourselves. When He tells ns to 
 do for His sake, it is that we may have the benefit of doing for 
 Him. When He hedges up our way, it is to keep us from des- 
 truction. There is not a precept commanded, not a threat 
 given, not a duty enjoined, not a prohibition, but for our good. 
 When He says, “Search the Scriptures as for hid treasures,” it is 
 for our highest profit. When He says, “Pray always,” it is a 
 rich Father saying “I have plenty, and want to give: come 
 
 ask.” It is as if a kind king said to a beggar, “ I have every- 
 thing you need: come, ask, and I will give it you.” O, we 
 talk of the duty of reading the Bible and of prayer, as if there 
 were compulsion about it. How strange. 
 
 The text declares that God is teaching us to profit. Jesus 
 says, “Follow me;” not that He needs followers, but we need a 
 Guide. But some say, “I suppose I ought to follow Him.” 
 What if you found a lost man in the woods or on the prairie, 
 half starved, and you bade him follow you to his home, and he 
 should say, “I suppose that I ought to follow you.” 
 
 God never enjoins a duty that is not for your profit; yes, even 
 here, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the prom- 
 ise of this life and that which is to come.” God is teaching you 
 how to make the most of your time, of your talents, of your- 
 self. If there were no future, it is profitable to obey Him. We 
 are down in a horrible pit. He puts a ladder down for our 
 escape. True, it lands us in heaven; but if it did not, it is bet- 
 ter to be out of the pit. If a Christian found himself no better 
 off as to another world, he is better off in this. If religion is the 
 only antidote to sin, it is better to possess it, if only for this 
 life. “Her ways are ways of pleasantness.” It is a “highway.” 
 
 And the strictness of rules for us are kind. We poor erring 
 creatures would destroy ourselves if we had our liberty. We 
 will thank God for these shalls. He takes off responsibility from 
 us. A captain feels relief when he turns over his ship to the 
 pilot. 
 
 We have simply to obey orders, as soldiers obey their com- 
 manders. The terms are kind: “Except a man forsake all that 
 he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Those are kind terms; 
 they are necessary. Surrender yourself to be led — then God 
 will lead you. Subordinate your wills, your judgment, your all 
 to Him. We have an all-wise Leader. “He leadeth by the way 
 that we should go.” God’s people do not always see it. 
 Joseph, Daniel, and the three Hebrews were tried, but God was 
 leading them in the best way. All responsibility is off from us. 
 
 91 
 
Please your Father. This is the truth taught in Christ’s ser- 
 mon on the mount. When you give, or fast, or pray, or what- 
 ever you do, do all to please your Father. Just keep your eye 
 single to please Him. Take no thought about eating or what 
 you shall wear. Just let your request be known to God. “Be 
 careful for nothing ” God wants to keep your feet clear up on 
 the highway. He wants to let you ride on high places, and give 
 you honey from the rocks and milk and butter, and the finest 
 of the wheat. 
 
 He wants to treat you as princes. “I beseech you, there- 
 fore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a liv- 
 ing sacrifice — and be not conformed to this world, but trans- 
 formed-— that ye may prove what is that good^ and acceptable and 
 perfect will of GodP God wants to shew His good will. O, 
 such a loving Father! 
 
 He never asks you to do aught that is not for your profit. 
 To go around duty is to go around a blessing. 
 
 Does any one ask how we may know duty? Some are so 
 plain, you have only to open your Bibles and read, and it would 
 be an insult to ask man or God, what was meant. If one sins, 
 he is to confess it, to come out from the world, to unite with the 
 Church, to be baptized. To inquire what Jesus means by “ be 
 
 baptized To pretend you do not know whether John 
 
 Baptist just moistened his fingers, or went down into the 
 
 river . Some duties are settled — we have only to open 
 
 the Bible to ascertain them — but there are others we are to 
 inquire about. “Commit thy way unto the Lord, and He shall 
 bring it to pass.” “Acknowledge Him in all thy ways, and He 
 will direct thy steps.” “If any man lack wisdom let him ask of 
 God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.” Be 
 honest in asking direction. When convinced what is right, 
 follow your convictions. Some consult the Lord as Balaam did, 
 determined to go their own way. Don’t ask unless you are 
 willing to follow His guidance. 
 
 Now, brethren, I want you to believe the text: “I am the 
 Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit.” Recognize God 
 as a loving Father, and when He says, pray, come ask; He has 
 something to give. When He says, “Search the Scriptures,” 
 search diligently. He has deposited treasures there for you to 
 obtain. He has given it to be a “ lamp to your feet, a light to 
 your path.” When He says, thou shalt do no work on the 
 Sabbath, nor thy beast; He is providing rest for you — giving the 
 time needed for your soul. When He says, “Forsake not the 
 assembling of yourselves together,” He is teaching thee to profit. 
 He says, you can’t afford it. You cannot afford to be so occu- 
 pied with secular business as to forsake the meetings of the 
 
 92 
 
brethren. Time spent in religion is time spent to profit. Time 
 spent in the closet, in family prayer, and in social prayer, is time 
 spent to profit. 
 
 Money giving is profitable. “It is more blessed to give than 
 to receive.” “Giving to the poor is lending to the Lord. He 
 will repay again.” Then you are at once benefited. Give the 
 ]ioor man a coat, or give him bread, you are blessed in the act. 
 “The poor ye have with you always.” We need while gathering 
 in from men with one hand, to give out with the other. Giving 
 to benefit others, we benefit ourselves. Who enjoys money? 
 The miser who hordes it up? He is the miserable man. 
 
 Some think if the Church had a fund to draw upon for the 
 support of their poor, it would be better than collections, but 
 this would rob you of a blessing. God could provide for the 
 poor without us, and for the churches, but He has given that 
 work to us. Let us co-operate. Giving is enjoined upon us. 
 Others might as well do our praying, as do our giving. 
 
 93 
 
John, iii : 7: '‘'‘Marvel not that I said unto thee^ Ye 7nust be born 
 again Y 
 
 RULER, Nicodemus, came to Christ for instruction; not 
 openly, but by night. He immediately acknowledges 
 Christ as teacher, and Jesus begins to enlighten him. He 
 states plainly to him, “Except a man be born again, he 
 cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus marveled. He 
 could not understand the new birth. Jesus said, “Except a 
 man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the 
 kingdom of God.” 
 
 Water is a symbol of cleansing. When baptized, we declare 
 we have been cleansed from sin. Baptism symbolizes a change 
 of heart. A washing away of sin. A resurrection, “Buried with 
 Christ in baptism and risen again.” The heart is first cleansed, 
 then the body is washed, as a symbol of the cleansing. 
 
 Nicodemus knew about baptism, but the new birth was a 
 strange doctrine. Jesus says it is a necessity. “Except a man 
 be born again, he camiot see the kingdom of God.” It is not — 
 he shall not, but he cannot. He has no eyes for seeing it. Lead 
 a blind man out into a city; he cannot see the stately edifices 
 and the elegant mansions. They are as nothing to him Lead 
 him into an art gallery; he cannot see the works of art. Lead a 
 deaf man into an orchestra; he cannot hear the beautiful music. 
 
 Fish cannot live as birds; their element is water. They 
 would die if brought into the air. So the sinner could not 
 live in heaven. The atmosphere of heaven is not his element. 
 He don’t enjoy religious people if near him. He does not 
 enjoy religion in wife, children, or neighbors. Does not enjoy 
 the prayer meeting, or religious talk. How can he endure 
 heaven? God says, “Ye must be born again,’’ in order to 
 enter heaven. Except you are, you cannot see it; would have 
 no appreciation of it. 
 
 There are two states of existence, two lives — the fleshly and 
 the spiritual. They are opposed to each other. “That which 
 is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit 
 is spirit.” A child resembles his parent, partakes of the same 
 
 94 
 
nature. “All flesh has corrupted its way on the earth.” All 
 who are born of flesh are sinful. They must be regenerated all 
 through. Must be born of the Spirit. 
 
 The flesh-born life is earthly. The Spirit-born life is 
 heavenly. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the 
 Spirit of God, neither can he know them.” The carnal mind is ac 
 enmity with God, cannot please God, or be pleased with God. 
 Christ’s coming to earth shows the enmity of the natural man to 
 God. They hated Him, and put Him to death. You, who are 
 unregenerate, may think you have not the same spirit, but you 
 are worse than they. They had not one half the evidence con- 
 cerning Christ that you have. You assent to His divinity. O, 
 to treat with indifference such a Being with all your knowledge, 
 is worse than the treatment the Jews gave Him. 
 
 There is but one way of saving man, regenerate him. 
 Putting him in heaven, does not save him; but putting the 
 Spirit of Heaven into the man. He must be born of the S])irit 
 of God. He must become a child; must say, Abba, Father. 
 Have you that spirit of heaven within you, that new birth? 
 Nature can only be implanted by birth. You may act child- 
 like, that does not make you a child. You may know the rules 
 of the royal prince, that does not make you a prince. You 
 must be born a child. Man says — walk as a son, and by and 
 by you will be a son. God’s order is, become a son, then walk 
 as a son. 
 
 Nicodemus paid a most beautiful compliment to Christ. 
 “We know Thou art a teacher come from God.” Jesus said, 
 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, (you may compliment, but) ye 
 must be born again.” That which is born of the flesh is flesh. 
 Human nature is the same. Culture it; it is still human nature. 
 Water never rises above its source. Thorns do not produce 
 grapes, nor thistles figs, nor does a bitter fountain send forth 
 sweet water. The nature must be changed; must have a 
 capacity for spiritual things. If a man is born blind, he cannot 
 enjoy light nor colors. He cannot discover any beauty in them. 
 
 A man may know as much as Nicodemus of the doctrines of 
 the Bible; he may reverence sacred things, but he ^'must be born 
 again'' This is the condition of salvation. It may be called 
 by different names. Baptism symbolizes it. 
 
 Before you can see heaven you must have an eye to see it; 
 a spiritual eye. Before I became a son, I could only appreciate 
 earthly things. Could not be a partaker of the heavenly. There 
 are but two families — two natures. 
 
 It is sad to think how many, religiously brought up, are 
 going to fail of heaven; are going to have their place with 
 murderers, with the vile, with outcasts. 
 
 95 
 
The change is a mysterious one. “The wind bloweth where 
 it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but cannot tell 
 whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is 
 born of the Spirit.” Man has a new eye, a new heart. “Old 
 things are passed away, all things are become new.” “Whereas 
 1 was blind, now I see.” 
 
 But what must the sinner do to have this change? Look to 
 Jesus. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even 
 so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever belie veth 
 in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” “He that 
 believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life.” Ask the millions 
 who have experienced the change. 
 
 Looking to the cross softens the heart; subdues it. The 
 cross has the greatest moral power. Then the Spirit convicts of 
 sin. Man then wants a new heart, a new nature. He wants 
 not heaven so much as the fitness for heaven. 
 
 When the sinner dies, he often cries to God to save him. 
 But he wants heaven, not holiness. Like an arrested criminal, 
 he wants to escape punishment. 
 
 Now, the question is, “Have I this new heart?” If an angel 
 were to come in here, and point out those who were born again, 
 would he include me? If I die this night, who will claim 
 me? You will die. Would you be prepared? “ Ye must be 
 born again ” 
 
 O, that I could write on every heart, on the walls of your 
 bed chamber, over every door, in flaming characters on the 
 heavens, ‘‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the king- 
 dom of God.” He never can see it. 
 
 This change must take place soon, if ever. Can you trifle 
 with it? 
 
 How can you escape if you neglect it? I warn prepare. 
 
 My skirts shall be free. 
 
 96 
 
II Timothy, 2:4: No man that luarreth e?itangleth himself 
 
 with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath 
 chosen him to be a soldier,'^ 
 
 » ^HE Bible does not read like any other book. Its style is 
 inimitable. It cannot be counterfeited. It cannot be 
 i added to. Skillful geniuses have tried to imitate its style, 
 but the bungling hand was apparent and betrayed the 
 designer. 
 
 When God speaks. He speaks to the eye, to the ear, to the 
 heart, to the soul, to the whole man. He speaks in the most 
 telling manner. It comes with an illustration so apt, so forcible, 
 so startling. Truth flashes with something of. the vividness of 
 lightning. It is well that it should be so; we are so dead, it 
 would not impress us otherwise. It is most difficult to lodge 
 religious truth in the heart. 
 
 The Bible would be read much less, were it not for its vivid 
 imagery. It is like “apples of gold, in pictures of silver.” 
 Every vocation is put under tribute, to help convey religious 
 truth. In the text, military life is seized upon. The Christian 
 is likened to a soldier. It is a wonderful parallel. The Chris- 
 tian life is a warfare. It is aggressive and defensive. Paul says, 
 “Put ye on the whole armour of God;” “Fight the good fight 
 of faith;” “Be steadfast;” “Endure as good soldiers;” “Stand 
 fast, quit you like men, be strong.” Paul, dying, shouts, “I 
 have fought the good fight.” 
 
 Now the text enjoins upon us, — do not allow business to 
 interfere with your vocation, as a soldier of Jesus. A true 
 soldier seeks to please his commander. It is the one idea of 
 his life. He is identified with him; bound up in him; lost in 
 him; his will controls him, as the machine is controlled by the 
 mind which employs it. This is the highest perfection of the 
 soldier. He must go as the cannon ball; you may send them 
 with deadly force upon the enemy, or you may wheel them 
 as trucks. 
 
 » When w^e hear that an army is demoralized, we know^ that its 
 soldiers are disobedient, cow^ardly, and of no use in the fight. 
 
 97 
 
No discipline is so rigid as army discipline. It is a necessity. 
 All concede it. The general must have perfect control. The 
 soldier cuts himself loose from his own affairs. He does not 
 entangle himself with them. His own interests never come 
 into account. He leaves father, wife, children, farm, store; he 
 is dead to them all. He listens only to his commander. 
 
 Such are Christ’s terms: “Except a man forsake father and 
 mother, wife and children, houses and lands, he cannot be my 
 disciple;” “He that loveth father or mother more than me is 
 not worthy of me;” “Except a man hate father and mother, 
 wife and children, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my 
 disciple.” One said, I will enlist if I can go home first, and 
 bid farewell to my family. Jesus answered him, “No man 
 having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the 
 kingdom of God.” Another said, I will follow thee if I can 
 go first and bury my father. Jesus said to him, “Follow me, 
 and let the dead bury their dead.” 
 
 When our Governor called for soldiers, in the late rebellion, 
 thousands dropped all to enlist in the army. They identified 
 themselves wdth the cause and with their commander. They 
 were the right kind of soldiers. They left all for the soldier 
 life. Half way service don’t do in a soldier. It invites defeat. 
 “I would ye were cold or hot,” said Jesus. Better lay off the 
 uniform, than wear it and be half hearted. “Why halt ye 
 between two opinions? If the Lord be God, serve Him; if Baal, 
 serve Him.” ‘Tf it seem evil to yon to serve the Lord, choose 
 ye this day whom ye will serve. ” Cut yourself loose from the 
 affairs of this life. No true soldier will be entangled with them. 
 He is not carrying on business and serving as a soldier at the 
 same time. 
 
 Paul said, “One thing I do.” So should every Christian say. 
 Jesus charged his disciples, “Take no thought what ye shall eat 
 or wear, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 
 and all these things shall be added to you.” No other General 
 makes such an offer as this. They demand the single aim, 
 renunciation. 
 
 How much better to be a soldier of Christ, than of any 
 other leader. He is able to fulfill all that he promises. 
 He does fulfill. He never gives unwise orders. He never 
 blunders; earthly captains do. He guarantees victory. He 
 goes before His soldiers in the battle. “The gates of hell shall 
 not prevail against him.” He has provided an armour of 
 defense which has never been penetrated; a sword with two 
 edges which never fails in combat. And he is near enough to 
 help when the battle is severe. He promises, ‘T will help you.” 
 
 98 
 
All the hosts of Heaven are allied under Christ. Paul calls 
 it a “good fight.” It is, but it is difficult to make all to see it. 
 Military life does not wear an attractive look. It is not inviting. 
 We have associated it with hardship, trials, denials, camping, 
 forced marches, wet or cold, but there is grandeur in it seen 
 only by soldiers. 
 
 In Paul’s time, nearly all were familiar with the soldier’s life. 
 It did not belittle a man to be a soldier, to lose self in the 
 soldier, to lose all rights to move, except as he was bidden. 
 There was nothing slavish about it. To be able to surrender 
 self, to give up home, friends, lands; to subordinate all, was not 
 slavish. To take what comes, without a murmur, to put soul 
 into it all; if his body is rolled into a ditch, or is trampled on, 
 no matter. It is the cause that absorbs him; the commander 
 whom he is to please. There is something grand about such a life. 
 
 But what so grand as to put one’s self under the leadership 
 of Christ — wholly under Him, asking no question but what are 
 the orders. If they are for him to march through fire, if to 
 scale heights, or to rush upon battalions, he has only to obey. 
 No self is to be thought of. Did the world ever witness a 
 grander sight than Paul, pressing his way through persecution, 
 shipwreck and all perils, under his great leader? What Sunday- 
 school teacher that is not stirred to enthusiasm by his life? 
 “For me to live is Christ,” he says. He made ]3risons vocal 
 with praise. “I am not my own,” he declares. His enemies 
 could not understand him. He spake with such enthusiasm, 
 they said he was mad. He moved as if he belonged to a 
 conquering army, amid eclat and shouts of victory. When 
 enemies seized the old man and chained him, does he pine for 
 freedom? He shouts as he starts to the block, “I have fought 
 a good fight.” 
 
 O, to be a soldier under such a Leader. Paul was not 
 entangled with the affairs of this life. His motto was, “If I may 
 please Christ.” ‘Tf I may apprehend that for which I am appre- 
 hended.” This was the only thing that concerned him. Self 
 was out of the question. Self was dead. 
 
 How grand and glorious is such a life. Not even asking, will 
 I be happier, or will it be better for me. One question only, 
 will it please Christ. It is said Napoleon’s body guard would 
 die for him. An approving word was more cherished than 
 aught else. Thousands and tens of thousands have followed 
 Christ thus, and now, could you see all, you would see a host 
 of devoted followers. It is not only missionaries that are faithful 
 soldiers, but thousands toiling in obscurity. Some are persecuted 
 by husbands or by parents, and endure manfully. This spirit 
 
 99 
 
has not left the earth, though very many who profess to be soldiers, 
 know nothing of it. 
 
 O, how many want Christ to please them, to make them 
 happy, to prosper them, to give them friends, health, life, com- 
 forts ! This is what they pray for, think of, talk of. They have 
 no higher ideas of discipleship. They want their heaven now, 
 and all the way. Their one idea is. Master, try and please me; 
 give me all worldly pleasures, all good things. Let me live in a 
 garden of roses; let me sleep on downy pillows; keep angels 
 guarding me; keep away calamities from me; then I will praise 
 Thee. Let earth and heaven contribute to me. Then, Lord, 
 in the day of judgment, I will say, “Well done. Lord, good and 
 faithful.” “Then I will praise thee.” Multitudes have every- 
 thing reversed. All their ideas are changed about. Could you 
 hear more prayers that are offered, you would not hear, “How 
 can I please thee,’’ but “Lord please me;” not “What can I do 
 for thee,” but “Lord, do for me.” 
 
 There are these two classes. One is trying to please Christ, 
 and say, “Savior, I own thy right to every service I can pay.” 
 “What is my being, but for thee.” The other class like to think 
 of Christ serving them. The souls of one class are keyed up to 
 the music of heaven. The other is still on earth, and keyed to 
 its music. There is heavenly symphony in the utterances of 
 one. The other is only the phonics of earth. O, the 
 difference ! 
 
 To be swayed by love; nothing makes one so heroic. Man 
 is more than a man then. His own life is lost in that of his 
 leader. Paul was a mystery. They said he was beside himself. 
 He was constrained by love. “For we judge that Christ died 
 for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto 
 themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.” 
 
 Some go dragging self to service; others go bounding to it. 
 Self is dead with them. No matter what trials come. They 
 take pleasure in stripes; take it as an honor to bear them; 
 a privilege. 
 
 David was thirsty, and longed for water from the wells of 
 Bethlehem. Three soldiers cut through the foe, and brought 
 him the water. They were insensible to danger in their devotion 
 to him. 
 
 This loving service gives a celestial impassivity. Paul would 
 never have mentioned the troubles he had experienced, the 
 whippings, etc., had they not compelled him. So little did he 
 think of them. 
 
 See what a soldier will endure. He will fall on the field and 
 say, “Don’t mind me.” Will raise up on his elbows to watch 
 the battle. Then he will submit to surgery, will give up a limb 
 
 I(X) 
 
without complaint. So the Christian is toned up to endure 
 hardship for Christ’s sake. When the soldier enlisted he put self 
 into his enlistment and life. So does the Christian. 
 
 The soldier don’t surrender his manhood, he takes on man- 
 hood. So with the Christian. O, to be a Christian soldier, 
 under such a Leader, with such a cause to fight for, and such 
 motives for devotion. Now, 1 beg of you, put self wholly on 
 the Lord’s side. Cut loose from the world. Let the one 
 motive be to please Christ. Don’t say this is a hard life to live. 
 No, no; every other life is hard; every other life is a failure. 
 
 The great day for military review is coming. We shall be 
 there. On the 4th of July, there used to be held reviews. I 
 have seen what some of you never saw, or will see. A few old 
 Revolutionary soldiers, with tottering steps, would head the 
 procession. Then they would be seated on the rostrum with 
 the speakers. As the speaker rehearsed the battles of the 
 Revolution, and pointed to the scarred veterans, how their eyes 
 would flash. How proud they were. 
 
 A grander review is coming. If we shall stand with our 
 Captain, all scarred from the battle field, will not our eyes 
 kindle with happiness, as our Captain recognizes us and 
 our service? 
 
 Be not entangled with the affairs of this life. Please your 
 Captain. Put your soul into this fight. Identify yourself with 
 the cause. O, it is such an honor to be in such a war, with such 
 a Captain, and with such allies. 
 
 These weak, indifferent professors that want ease, pleasures, 
 amusements, follies, will be ashamed by and by. Asking how 
 many pleasures can I have? Can I dance? Can I go to balls? 
 Can I frolic with the godless world? What low ideas of their 
 calling. How can you claim to be Christ’s, who thus hanker 
 for worldly pleasures? 
 
 It makes me sad to see how some live and yet expect 
 heaven. They expect Jesus will say to them, “Well done,” 
 when they meet Him. It would be false. 
 
 Be on one side or the other. If Christ’s, seek to please Him. 
 
 lOI 
 
CoLOSSiANS, iii: 3-4: ''Ye are dead, and your life is hid with 
 Christ in God, When Christ, 7 uho is our life, shall appear, 
 then shall ye also appear with him in glory, ” 
 
 t HE Scriptures often represent us as “crucified with Christ,’" 
 when in Christ. I was formerly perplexed to know why 
 ^ we were so often represented as dead, crucified, and there- 
 fore the law had no more claims upon us. Now, what is 
 the penalty of sin? Death. “The soul that sinneth it shall die.” 
 There is but one plea then that can be made, that will exempt 
 from the penalty. If I can say, “I am dead,” I am free. The 
 law has no more claim upon me. No other plea avails. That 
 is our plea. A dead man is free from the law. We are dead 
 with Christ, identified with Him. “But now we are delivered 
 from the law, that being dead wherein we were held.” “How 
 shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know 
 ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, 
 were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with 
 Him by baptism into death : that like as Christ was raised up 
 from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also 
 should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted 
 together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the like- 
 ness of His resurrection.” This is what we declare in baptism. 
 We are passed beyond death, on the resurrection side. 
 
 You see the meaning of the text. “Ye are dead, etc.” 
 Your life is identified with Christ’s life. But there is meaning in 
 the word “hid,” i. e., out of sight. The Christian life is a hidden 
 life. Its sources, its springs are invisible; hence the life is 
 hidden. The world do not know of the Christian’s life. It is a 
 mystery — the motives, meaning, and the end of that life. In 
 heaven it is understood. Worldly men comprehend each other, 
 but do not comprehend the Christian. Jesus said, “Ye are not 
 of the world.” “If ye were of the world, the world would love 
 his own.” “The world knoweth us not because it knew 
 Him not.” 
 
 Jesus was not known. There were all sorts of opinions 
 about Him. They were all the time disputing about Him. He 
 cared nothing for their opinions, their favors, honors, or their 
 
 102 
 
riches. He made no distinctions on account of these things; 
 considerations which swayed others had no influence with Him, 
 They stood confounded before such a life. It baffled their com- 
 prehension ; it has ever since. He is a living mystery — the 
 wonder of the world. He moved on another plane from theirs, 
 lived another life, was governed by other motives. His enemies 
 said, ‘‘Never man spake like this man.’' 
 
 So they stood confounded before the disciples. Some said 
 they were mad; they were called crazy and drunk. Some 
 said, “The gods had come down in the likeness of men.” Some 
 said they were possessed of evil spirits. Paul said, “Love con- 
 strains us,” but they could not understand that. “They took 
 joyfully the spoiling of their goods.” When they suffered they 
 “rejoiced;” when they were whipped they “bore the marks of 
 the Lord Jesus;” when reproached they were happy; when dying 
 they spent their last breath in prayer for their enemies. They 
 told them that they were new creatures; that what they once 
 loved, they now hated. They said, “It is no longer I that live, 
 but Christ liveth within me.” “We no longer live to ourselves, 
 but to Christ.” The world did not understand them. They 
 never have, nor can. ^‘The natural man receiveth not the things 
 of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither 
 can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. ” “They 
 are not in the flesh, but in the spirit.” No man knoweth the 
 mind of God. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
 entered into the heart of man the things which God hath pre- 
 pared for them that love Him.” “They that are after the flesh 
 mind the things of the flesh.” 
 
 It is a heavenly life. The natural man has no eyes for it. 
 dflie spiritual sight is paralyzed. “Except a man be born again, 
 he cannot see the kingdom of God.” As soon as he is converted, 
 all is clear. 
 
 Converts tell of their delights. The world don’t understand 
 them. Sinners think religion is to be endured. They talk of 
 what they must give up. They can’t give u]) their amusements. 
 They don’t realize that their tastes will be changed, if really con- 
 verted. That the prayer meeting will be dearer than worldly 
 pleasures. They think it hard to pray and to speak in the 
 meeting, but when converted, their delight is in these things. 
 
 Christians are partakers of the Divine nature, as a branch 
 partakes of the vine. “He is our life.” “When Christ, who is 
 our life, shall appear.” It is Christ in you that lives. “No 
 longer I, but Christ.” “If any man have not the spirit of Christ, 
 he is none of His.” There is no parallel between the two. No 
 copying of one from the other. It is “Ye in me, I in you.” 
 The life of Jesus is made manifest in His body, the church. 
 
 103 
 
His word falls in the heart, and produces His life. It is seed. 
 You plant a seed; it hides an invisible flower. The seed of a 
 fruit tree contains the invisible tree; by and by it is a tree 
 loaded with fruit. The invisible seed or root determines the 
 fruit. So the Christian’s life springs from the hidden life. As 
 you look at fruit, you may not think of the seed or root from 
 which it sprung. 
 
 We are not copyists. The life of the copyist may resemble 
 the real life, as a painted tree the real tree. But how different 
 the real tree; its roots by the rivers, its leaves green, and 
 branches laden with fruit. Some are copying Christ. Have no 
 hidden spring within them. “As the branch cannot bear fruit of 
 itself except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye 
 abide in me.” 
 
 O, this abiding in Christ, All vitality comes from Him; all 
 our springs are in Him; our lives blend with His. When we 
 labor, “we labor in the Lord.” When we walk, we walk with 
 the Lord. When we eat and drink, it is in the Lord. When 
 we die, we sleep in Jesus. When we rise it is in Jesus, and to 
 be forever with Him. 
 
 But there is another sense in which it is true that our life is 
 hid. It is made over to Christ. He has received it. We 
 commit the keeping of our souls to Him for safety, as we hide a 
 treasure in a secure place. No one can obtain it unless they 
 get it from its hiding-place. Men may rob you of what you 
 have by you; they may break into your house, or stop you on 
 the highway. But as you deposit in a bank, there you leave it. 
 So in the text, “Our life is hid with Christ.” He has it. The 
 robber must get it from Him. 
 
 The text says, “When He appears, then shall we also appear 
 with Him in glory.” This is the reason the Bible speaks so 
 positively. It never intimates that there is any uncertainty. “I 
 know in whom I have believed.” The Bible speaks of the 
 believer as saved. Calls them saints, holy, sanctified. “Now 
 are ye sons;” “He that believeth on the Son hath life;” “There 
 is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus;” “There is 
 joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth;” “None shall pluck 
 them out of my hand;” “Because I live ye shall live also;” “We 
 are kept by the power of God;” “I pray not for the world, but 
 for these that thou hast given me.” 
 
 The Bible argues our safety always from Christ’s ability, and 
 character, and position and purpose. “He is able to save to 
 the uttermost;” “Who shall separate us from His love?” “I am 
 persuaded that neither heighth nor depth, nor any other creature 
 can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus;” 
 “Who is he that condemneth since Christ hath died for us?” “If 
 
 104 
 
any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father;’’ “Oiir 
 hope is as an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast;” “We are 
 sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise till the redemption.” 
 The day of redemption is coming, when all that is promised 
 will be received. He has promised to keep us — our life — till he 
 appears. He has given us the earnest — the Holy Spirit — as a 
 pledge. A check when presented at the bank ensures payment. 
 So the Holy Spirit is the check upon the treasures of heaven. 
 Text says, “When He appears, we shall appear wdth Him.” 
 We cannot keep ourselves. We have neither ability nor stability. 
 If there was any dependence on us, we should fail. If the soul 
 is once committed to God, it is safe. Many profess to be Christ’s, 
 to whom He will say, “I never knew you.” They never 
 renounced self as dead. 
 
 We live not unto ourselves, but unto Him that died for us. 
 “Whether w'e live, we live unto the Lord.” Our life is identified 
 with His. “When He appears, we shall appear with Him.” He 
 is our life; He is our death. His death is for us, and His life 
 is for us. 
 
 If God comes and asks us, “Where art thou?” and we can say 
 “In Christ,” then “Shall we appear with Him in glory.” He is 
 showing the glory now to them who are with Him. “Father, I 
 will that they also, whom Thou has given me, be with me, where 
 I am, that they may behold my glory.” 
 
 O, the weight of glory which awaits us. Words are heaped 
 up to describe it. It is a weight of glory, an eternal weight, an 
 exceeding and eternal weight, a 7tiore exceeding, far 7nore 
 exceedmg a7id eteriial weight of glory '' 
 
 How safe we are when committed to Christ. “He is able to 
 keep that which is committed to Him.” “When He shall appear, 
 then shall we also appear with Him in glory.” 
 
 Now, recognize Christ’s death as yours, as real. 
 
 105 
 
II Corinthians, iv: 17, i8: ^\For our light affliction^ which is 
 hut for a moment^ worketh for us a far more exceeding and 
 eter?ial 7 veight of glory ; while we look not at the things which 
 are seen^ hut at the things udiich are not see?iF 
 
 ^AFFLICTIONS are not always blessed to the good of the 
 afflicted. They do not always work out glory for us. 
 All depends on where we are looking. “While we look 
 at the things which are unseen.” Do you ask, how 
 look on things that are unseen? The eye was made to 
 behold visible things. How see invisible things? The eye 
 cannot. It is material; it sees only material objects. You 
 may bring a telescoi^e to aid your sight, still it will reveal only 
 material objects. The microscope only reveals minute forms of 
 matter. But the soul has an eye inde]:>endent of the bodily eye. 
 That may be sealed, and we yet see with the soul’s eye. 
 
 Man has a spiritual nature. It communes with spiritual 
 things, and sees spiritual things. The real man, the self, is 
 spiritual. The real life is spiritual. The real world is unseen, 
 spiritual. The material eye is temporal; sees only temporal 
 things. The material eye will soon close in death, and all that 
 is material will fade away, but the spiritual will continue. The 
 material heavens will by and by be rolled together as a scroll, 
 and the earth and all therein be burned, but the spiritual 
 Heaven, where God dwells and where the saints dwell, will 
 remain. 
 
 Men act as if they saw the real; as if the unseen was the 
 unreal. Sin has made us carnal. Carnal wants absorb us. 
 Physical comforts engross our attention. What shall we eat? 
 What shall we wear? It is hard to believe that these things are 
 only shadows; that the body is but a casket. 
 
 The soul-life has little attention. God asks, “What shall it 
 profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” 
 Man gathers material together, stone and brick, and builds him 
 a house. He thinks that is real. He does not realize that it is 
 unsubstantial; that he is building another — character — which 
 will endure forever. Every word, act, thought, goes into that 
 building. How little thought he gives to that building. 
 
 106 
 
(jod says, lay not up for yourselves treasures where you can 
 see them, on earth. 
 
 What a man sows, that shall he reap. The farmer realizes 
 this, but he is sowing to earthly things, and he will rea]:> 
 earthly things. O, to see a man bending every energy for 
 earthly treasures. How low is such a life. Living as if there 
 were no eye but the natural; as if there were no light but 
 the natural light; living as if there were no Heaven. 
 
 ’Tis sad to see an eagle with its wings broken, walking the 
 earth, instead of soaring into the skies. When man sinned, he 
 fell from spiritual to earthly. His faith wings were broken. 
 He goes trudging along with his eyes upon the earth. The 
 Bible calls us to the life of faith — to live by faith — to keep the 
 eye on things invisible. There are many advantages of such a 
 life. The text names one. “Our light afflictions, etc.” If we 
 look at things not seen, then afflictions will work out a weight 
 of glory for us. If we take our eyes off from this world, off 
 from our troubles, and fix them on unseen things; if we view 
 this life in its relation to the life to come; this world in its 
 relation to the unseen world; if we dwell on the eternal glory 
 beyond, these afflictions will seem light and but for a moment, 
 but if we look on this life as the all, they seem heavy and of 
 long duration. 
 
 He who uttered the text could speak as few men could. 
 He had been in prison, had been beaten with rods, had been 
 stoned, had suffered shipwreck, had been in weariness, in 
 hunger, in cold and nakedness. He could name such a cata- 
 logue of sufferings, yet he could say these light afflictions. 
 What made them seem light? He had an eye on glory. What 
 made them seem short? “I reckon that the sufferings of this 
 life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be 
 revealed.” 
 
 The Christian can take sorrow out of his trials, by keeping 
 his eye on the glory beyond. This will take the sting all away 
 from reproach, calumny, and hate. Keeping the eye on the 
 great glory awaiting us, will make afflictions seem light. Keep- 
 ing the eye on the eternity of glory will make them seem short. 
 Some have never learned the philosophy of happy living, 
 extracting pleasure from misfortunes, rejoicing in the Lord under 
 all circumstances, taking trials as a tonic, a medicine that cures,, 
 tones up the system. It may be a little bitter in the lips, but 
 exhilarates when taken. 
 
 The text don’t say afflictions always seem light. That 
 depends on the eye. It don’t say they always seem short. 
 That depends on where we are looking. Keep the eye right, 
 and all is working in our interest. 
 
 107 
 
“Look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which 
 are unseen.” The apostles gloried in tribulation. James says, 
 “Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.” 
 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptations.” Only keep 
 your eye on the future life, and you can say “all things are 
 ours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or life, or death, or 
 things present, or things to come.” O, this looking at the 
 things of this world in the light of eternity. All depends on 
 this. Sorrows are light or short when we are looking Heaven- 
 ward. It is a panacea for all our ills. “Set your affections upon 
 things above,” “Lay up your treasures in heaven.” 
 
 But notice that you utilize affliction by this spiritual sight. 
 They enrich you. They are not Joys themselves, but they work 
 out joy. They work in your interest as nothing else can. The 
 early church coveted afflictions. “We glory in tribulations.” 
 Nothing does so much for us. Mark the 17th verse: “Our 
 light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far 
 more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. ” Glory is unde- 
 finable. It expresses something beyond our conception. 
 Afflictions beautify some here. They qualify for Heaven. No 
 crown in Heaven is brighter than that worn by those who come 
 up out of great tribulation. 
 
 Then there will be rewards to those who suffer patiently. 
 The grandest workers are those who preach from beds of 
 sorrow. No sermons are so effective. The highest rewards 
 are for such sufferers. The grandest life is that which rejoices 
 in God in the midst of tribulation. Music is always sweetest in 
 the night. light is brightest when it peers through rifted clouds. 
 The grandest sunset is the cloud reflected 
 
 The one thing, the secret, is to keep the eye off from things 
 temporal, and on eternal things. Then you have the balances, 
 and the weights of eternity in your hand. If troubles come, 
 you weigh them by these scales, and say they are light. If 
 sufferings come, you say they are short. You estimate correctly. 
 This living in sight of Heaven, in the presence of God, of Christ, 
 of the angels, and of saints; this is what gives us correct views 
 •of life. We are to do everything as if the Lord was at hand; as 
 if saints and angels were looking on. 
 
 “Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of wit- 
 nesses, let us lay aside every weight, and run with patience the 
 race which is set before us.” Run as if you knew the eyes of all 
 Heaven were upon you. We do not see this cloud of witnesses, 
 but they see us. The Spiritual Kingdom encompasses us. We 
 are in it. Did we realize this, we should gather inspiration from 
 it. God’s hosts are about us, invisible but real. When foes 
 came on Elisha in great numbers, he was not afraid, but said, 
 
 108 
 
“More are they that be with us, than they that be against us.” 
 Elisha had his spiritual eye open. He saw the invisible hosts, 
 chariots of fire, and horses of fire about him. So we are to see 
 God’s hosts about us. We are to believe this. 
 
 The spiritual is the real. How long will men be deluded, 
 and put temporal things above the. eternal; natural above the 
 spiritual; material above the immaterial; visible above the in- 
 visible? How long walk in a vain show? Soon we shall find 
 that the invisible world is the real. Wealth is not a real 
 possession. Greatness is what a man is in himself, the invisible 
 forces of character. Things that are coarse enough to be seen 
 by the natural eye, are not the real. 
 
 The higher life is a life of faith; the higher communion is 
 with the unseen; the higher walk is the walk with God. 
 
 Bear in mind, this life is a preparation for the future life. 
 Whatever prepares us for that is a blessing to us. Paul expected 
 soon to depart and be with Christ. This sustained him. We 
 are to draw from heaven our inspiration. We are to live in 
 heaven now; let heavenly radiance be shed all over this life. 
 Then we shall walk in sunshine. 
 
 We shall soon understand the meaning of the text. O, to 
 learn it before it is too late ! 
 
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M