In Memoriam.

IN MEMORY

OF

Mrs, Clara Bradley Shew

C' It^

BY

REV. W. H. ALBRIGHT.

AUBURN, N. Y.

Fkhruary ist, 1880.

EZEKIEL XXIV: 15-18.

''Also the -word of the Lord eame unto me, saying. Son of
man, behold I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a
stroke; yet neither shalt thou mourn nor -weep, neither shall thy
tears run down. Forbear to cry, naake no mourning for the dead,
bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon
thy feet, and eo-ver not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. So
I spake unto the people in the morning, and at even nay -wife
died; and I did in the morning as I -was commanded."

On the roof of the Sistine Chapel, at Rome, is the figure
of a man in the prime of life. The upper part of his body is
bent forward in an attitude of eagerness. The right hand is
stretched out in the act of demonstration. In the left hand is
an unrolled parchment — his look is earnest and expressive ;
and " it is as if one could see the thoughts chasing one another
in his mind." The figure is Michael Angelo's celebrated paint
ing of the prophet Ezekiel.
Twenty-five centuries ago, under the reign of Jehoiachin,
king of Judah, Ezekiel was called by God to the prophetic
office. The book in the Sacred Canon which bears his name,
contains little information concerning the man, his character,
circumstances, and times. Here arid there is a brief personal

4
allusion, but the book As a whole, is a highly prophetic and
symbolic representation of events connected with the history
of the Jewish nation.
From the opening verses of the first chapter we learn that
the writer was one of the Chaldean captives. The inference
from this, and from the fact that he was in the order of the
Priesthood, is that he was descended from one of the best
families of Judah. His priestly office seems to have been
merged into the prophetic under special Divine direction. By
the river Chebar, in the land of captivity, "the heavens were
opened" to him, and he saw "visions of God." What these
were is gathered from the prophecy which bears his name.
Among the most familiar and beautiful are those of the Temple
and the Holy Waters. But the burden of Ezekiel's prophecy
has reference to the sins and punishments of Israel. In this
connection is recorded the striking incident of the text. The
voice which directed the Prophet to pronounce approaching
judgment upon the people, also directs him to prepare for a
sudden and sore affliction in his own house. By an inexplica
ble decree of God the Prophet is informed that the companion
of his life is to be suddenly taken away. Directions are given
to him in reference to his conduct which to some persons may
seem arbitrary and exacting. Although called to part with a
beloved wife, who, as the text expresses it, was " the desire of
his eyes," still he is commanded to express every manifestation
of affection and grief He is neither to bear a sad countenance
nor to weep. He is neither to speak of his loss to his friends,
nor to put on the customary formalities of mourning. He is
not to sit in sorrow in his own house and receive the bread of
others. He is to go out into the world, and attend to the
ordinary duties of life as though nothing whatever had hap-

5
pened. According to this the command of the Lord, so the
Prophet informs us, he did. On the niorning immediately
succeeding this intelligence, he went out as was his custom,
and spoke to the people. In the evening, according to the
word of the Lord, his wife died. On the following morning
the Prophet was seen attending to his duties as though nothing
unusual had transpired. As might be expected, an event so
startling and so sad as the sudden death of the Prophet's wife,
was soon a matter of public excitement. The people knew it,
notwithstanding the silence of the Prophet. His seeming in
difference all the more excited their surprise. They knew that
this man of God was not without natural feeling. They knew
that he lived in the fondest affection for the one he had chosen
to be his wife. They knew that although he manifested no
outward signs of sorrow there was a deep undercurrent of feel
ing within his breast. His conduct was not merely a matter
of surprise to them, but of profound anxiety. Hence the in
quiry, with which they came to him — ¦" Wilt thou not tell us
what these things are to us, that thou doest so? The end to
be gained by this strange event was in part accomplished by
their inquiry. The event, as we shall see, was to be a sign
unto them. If they inquired for themselves into the meaning
ofthis occurrence, they would be far more likely to be benefitted
by the interpretation and application of it. The reason which
they sought the Prophet now proceeds to explain. "Then I
answered them. The word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
speak unto the house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord God,
Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your
strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul
pitieth ; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left
shall fall by the sword. And ye shall do as I have done : ye

shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. And your
tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet;
ye shall not mourn nor weep, but ye shall pine away for your
iniquities, and mourn one toward another. Thus Ezekiel is
unto you a sign, according to all that he hath done shall ye
do; and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord
God." In presenting this brief sketch of the Prophet Ezekiel's
bereavement, it is not my intention to follow it out in its own
legitimate and particular treatment, but to use it as at least
suggestive of an event which a few months ago awakened sur
prise and inquiry among the people of this church and com
munity — to which, for various reasons, no reference has before
been made by the Pastor from this pulpit.
During the closing days of September's golden month^
just as the beautiful foliage of summer was changing to the
full, fanciful dress of autumn, and here and there a falling leaf
was already bespeaking dissolution and decay, news came of
the sudden and . dangerous illness of one well known and
much beloved in this community. A few days of anxious
waiting were succeeded by the report that the end had come.
Mrs. Clara Bradley Shew, beloved alike by husband, parents,
relatives, and friends, in the highest and worthiest sense "the
desire of all eyes," was taken away "with a stroke." Her
youth, her uniform health, her social position, her accomplish
ments, her worth, all contributed to make her sudden removal
from this life a matter of greatest surprise and profoundest
regret. Why is it thus ? Why could not she have been spared ?
Why was she taken away? were questions of heart-felt inquiry
which hung upon the lips of her numberless friends.
Mrs. Shew was the tenderly beloved and only surviving

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Bradley. In her birth, as in
all her life, she was favored of Him to whom she was early
given by her Christian parents, and whom early she came to
love as her own Divine Lord and Saviour. The influences by
which she was surrounded in her youth were such as should
always characterize the home of Christian people — especially
of such as occupy positions of influence in social station and
in the church. As the daughter of those who knew the value
of public, as well as of private religious instruction, she was
early given a place in the Sabbath-school, the Prayer-meeting,
and the Sanctuary. When still young in years she manifested
a strong attachment for the house of God, and took unusual
interest in the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. This,
with her uniform loveliness and sincerity of character, left no
doubt either in the mind of her parents or her friends, that she
became a true disciple of the Lord and Master while yet in
childhood's years. Speaking in reference to this part of her
life, a most observing and cautious man said: "It would seem
there was hardly ever a time when she was not a Christian."
Others referring to the days of her childhood have borne
similar testimony.
On the 3d of August, 1866, at the beginning of her
thirteenth year, she made a public profession of her faith and
her love to the Lord Jesus, in this place of worship. From
that time onward her life broadened into the symmetry, strength
and beauty of true Christian discipleship. In the Sabbath-
school she was a faithful and beloved teacher. In all the work
ofthe church she bore a willing and generous part. Her rare
gifts in both vocal and instrumental music she used unspar
ingly for the good of the church and the glory of the Master.
Many have been the kindly expressions heard by the pastor

of this church from those who have been blessed by her loving
ministry. The sick and the needy knew the sweetness of her
voice, the gentleness of her touch, the largeness of her heart.
Her disposition and manner were such as to win for herself
the hearts of all with whom she came in contact. Her wide
circle of acquaintances, and numerous engagements in social
life, did not win her best affection from the people of God, nor
lead her to count her religious obligations of less importance
than the demands of society. Fitted by rare intellectual and
social gifts, and by all the advantages of education and travel
for that high place in society which she is known for several
years to have held in this community, she never once was led
into the danger of compromising her Christian character and
profession, by any act of worldliness and frivolity beneath the
dignity of a Christian. Difficult as it may seem to some to
draw the line between the claims of society and ofthe church,
she did this so as to retain the utmost confidence of the one,
and the respect and admiration of the other. With her society
and the Church of Christ were not in dread antagonism. Her
society was Christian. She knew no other. There was no
dividing of her time between society and the church, in such
a way as that society would get the better half Her time in
society all counted for the Church of Christ, inasmuch as her
whole influence was felt to be in that direction.
For twenty-four years she lived in the home of her parents,
the joy and pride of their hearts. As is not infrequently the
case where there is a fond father and an only daughter, a loving
intimacy existed between them. A mother, being constantly
with her daughter, is of course, expected to share the fullest
confidence and affection of her child. With the father it is
different. Engrossed with the concerns of business and the

world, he is not expected to manifest that particular interest
in all the affairs of his children which characterize the conduct
and relation of a mother. And yet nothing is more beautiful
than reciprocal affection and confidence between a father and
his children. The reciprocal affection and confidence between
this father and his daughter were unusual as they were beauti
ful. They were much together — lived much in each others
society and love. It was not surprising that a household with
such a treasure should attract the eye of some noble man. He
came, left the mark of his Christian character, and waited to
return. Soon the happy day came. There were flowers and
kisses, smiles and tears mingled in strange profusion. Accord
ing to the order of God's appointment, the parents gave up a
daughter, and received a son. A new home was established
in an eastern state. The church here felt it an honor to transfer
such a member to the church there. Frequently the home of
her parents, and the church of her first love, welcomed her
back to her accustomed place. Though her relation to this
church was transferred to another, there was no transfer of
her affection from this place where in youth she gave herself
in fullest and heartiest consecration to her Lord; and cove
nanted to walk with this people in the way of his command
ments. At the first sacramental service conducted by the pastor
of this church, Mrs. Shew was in attendance. Her presence
was a joy to the pastor, not only on account of friendship
formed during his student life in the seminary, but because of
the knowledge of her love for this church, and because of a
circumstance in connection with the service ofthe day in which
she was specially interested. At a meeting of the Session on
the Thursday evening preceding the Communion, she came.

IO

bringing one of her forraer Sabbath-school scholars for ex
amination, previous to admission to church fellowship. She
waited through the examination as an act of love to her former
scholar. On Sabbath morning she was present to welcome
this young friend to lier Lord's table and to partake with her
the emblems of His dying love. She little thought that morn
ing as she listened to her Saviour's words " Until I drink it new
with you in My Father's kingdom," that she would so soon be
welcomed to the Heavenly Feast.
On the following Sabbath, August loth, she was again in
this sanctuary. A note in the pastor's diary is to this effect :
" This has been a good day. Harvest thanksgiving services
both morning and evening. Church beautifully trimmed with
flowers. In the absence of Mrs. Hollister, Mrs. Shew kindly
served on the floral committee. On the stand in front of the
pulpit was a beautiful design for the day, suggested by her,
and arranged by her own hands. It was a large sheaf of wheat,
with full cluster of ripe golden ears. Fastened immediately in
front was a sickle made of choicest flowers. The fitness and
beauty of this design was a matter of general comment. Few
of us, possibly not one thought of the suggestion contained in
that sheaf of ripened grain, and the attendant sickle. Certainly
not one of us referred its suggestion to her whose loving hand
prepared them. Yet there they stood, the symbols of an event
hidden to us, but known to Him "who calleth things which be
not, as though they were." Only a few weeks after, the event
thus symbolized became a solemn reality. The Angel of God
came, took the sickle in his hand, cut down the ripened sheaf
" with a stroke," and bore it away to the garner of Heaven. I
am sure you will all agree with me that that sheaf of ripened
grain was a beautiful symbol of her Christian character. As

II

it was ripe for the harvest of earth, so she was ripe for the
harvest of Heaven. She needs no monument to perpetuate her
memory, for she will live in the grateful and glad remembrance
of all who knew her. Yet if one be erected, as a token of
affection, let its shaft, unbroken, point to the skies. No monu
ment with broken column can truly symbolize her life. It
was short, but so far as it went, complete. Far be it from me
to put an estimate upon her Christian character, unwarranted
by fact, and unauthorized by the word of God; yet it is my
privilege in these days of destructive criticism and uncharitable
analysis of Christian character, to call attention to the value
of religion as illustrated in her life, and to use her example
for the good of others, and the glory of my Master.
What now are the lessons we may learn from her life,
and from the event of her sudden removal to the other world?
To those who feel most deeply this bereavement, of whom it
may indeed be said, " The desire of their eyes has been taken
away with a stroke," let me repeat these other words of the
text : " Yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall
thy tears run down." There is not, in this instance, as in the
case of the Prophet Ezekiel, any direct command that all
sorrow and tears should be repressed, yet I think every effort
to overcome the natural feelings and cultivate a spirit of
cheerfulness and submission must be pleasing to God. It is
the triumph of faith if in our deepest affliction we can say,
" It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good." Such
a triumph was the Prophet's. Whatever of inward pain he
may have experienced, whatever the struggle may have cost
him to repress all feeling, and manifest a spirit of submission
to the Divine decree, he did it, since there are left on record
those six expressive words: "I did as I was commanded."

12
The fact that God had ordered this event, however strange
and painful it may have been to the Prophet, was an assurance
that it was right. The burden might be heavy, but not
heavier than he could bear. His loss was great, but God's
claim was greater. While there is no intimation that the
Prophet himself needed the painful lesson, there is the express
teaching that others needed it. To suffer for the good of
others may not have been pleasant, but there is no indication
of a murmur against God. There is, on the contrary, the
spirit which characterizes the conduct of every true child of
Heaven — the spirit of silent, sweet submission to the Divine
will. Not to the worthies of Scripture alone must we go for
examples of this sort. We have them in our midst. A few
days ago, a beautiful Christian lady, recently bereaved, said :
" I do not sorrow — God loved my husband and took him; He
loves me, too, and I love Him." How different is this from
the spirit of insubordination and the parade of grief, so com
mon among those who live without hope and without God
in the world. Tears will flow from the eyes of the Christian,
but they are not all tears of sorrow. The deepest joy ofthe
Christian is often expressed in tears. The world may mis
interpret them ; God does not. He knows that there is joy
even amidst tears, that such a life as the one we have been
contemplating, was lived — that childhood was permitted to
blossom into youth — -that youth was developed into a beauti
ful Christian womanhood. For this I am sure there is a deep
feeling of gratitude. For the rest, so mysterious and trying,
there is comfort in the assurance that what is not now known
will be known hereafter.
And what are the lessons to this church? to those of
you who met with her week after week in the services of God's

13
house? Is there not much in her life of sincerity and de
votion which commends itself to your thoughtful considera
tion? How easy would it have been for her, in her station
of life, to have devoted herself the rather to personal gratifi
cation, to worldly pursuits, to frivolous amusements, than to
have found her highest delight in service for her Lord? The
temptation in these times to fritter away life in unworthy
aims and efforts, to make it a summer holiday, rather than a
holy sacrifice, is indeed very great. To those who would
make the most of their opportunities, who would live in the
world to bless it with their ministry of good, let me commend
her example. In so doing, I would not present her life as a
model of perfection ; this would be as indiscreet in me, as it
would be unjust to her. Only in so far as her life was pat
terned after the perfect example of Christ, is she worthy of
commendation and imitation.
I mention three things in connection with her life which
it may be of benefit to remember.
I. Her piety.
I. It began early. This may have been due in part to
circumstances. She was born of Christian parents. While
she inherited a sinful nature, it was doubtless greatly to her
advantage to be well descended. She was surrounded by
Christian influences. She was early taught the importance of
seeking a new heart. These things, under the influence of
the spirit, brought her, early in life, to make a public pro
fession of her love to Christ.
2. It was sincere. No one ever questioned it. Though
coming young into the full privilege ofthe church, no anxiety
seems to have been felt as to the expediency of permitting

H
her to take this step. Her whole after life proved the genu
ineness of her consecration and love.
3. It was ardent. It was not all shut up within, and
consumed in keeping herself religiously alive. It was felt by
those who associated with her, to whom she imparted much
ofthe warmth and earnestness of her own spiritual life.
4. It was lasting. It did not begin with the ardency of
youth, and as is too often the case, dwindle away to nothing
ness. It increased with years and knowledge and opportuni
ties. It ripened with every advancing year. Its throbbing
life of spring was succeeded by a rich, fruitful summer.
II. Her conscientiousness.
The desirable element in her character may have been
due in part to nature, and in part to grace. Whatever was
the cause ¦ of it, it was noticeably there. To this must be
attributed something of her fidelity in Christian service. Con
scientiousness is, therefore, the proof of the genuineness of
our love. III. Her symmetry of Christian character.
By this I mean the presence and harmony of the essen
tial virtues of religion, which seerned to have a place in her
spiritual constitution. Completeness of Christian character
consists not so much in the perfection of each part as in the
harmony of all its parts. What these parts are, the Apostle
Peter sets forth in the words, " And besides this, giving all
diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience;
and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly kind
ness; and to brotherly kindness, charity." Wherever these

15
graces are combined in their proper relations and proportions,
there is formed a character that is symmetrical and attractive.
I think you will agree there was unusual evenness and balance
in her character. Native temperament, education, society,
travel, all may have done something toward its formation,
yet I feel sure that the grace of God did more than all the
rest. Grace purifies, refines, sanctifies. It does more for
human character than all other agencies combined. My ob
ject in calling attention to her life and character has been to
show what the grace of God did for her — what it can do for
each of you.
There is one other point connected with this subject
which I may not forget to mention. The trial which came
to Ezekiel was not sent, as already intimated, in judgment
upon him, but as a warning to others. The event which
came to him was a sign unto them. The event to which I
have alluded this evening is a sign to us. " Who will be the
next?" is the solemn inquiry it should awaken. Let us see
to it that the significance of this sign is not lost upon us.
The words which interpret it are, " Be ye also ready, for in
such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."