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MM S^

SERMON;

PRIACHKn IN THI

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION,

HAMILTON, ONT., CANADA,

ON THE SBD of 3VVI, 1870, THB SUNDAY TOLLOWINO THB SAT OT THI tAmNTABLI
TACHT ACCIDENT, BT WHICH THB THREE CHILDREN,

AMY FLORENCE, CONSTANCE ADA, AND IBENB AUGUSTA MARQABBT
DONALDA, DAUGHTERS OP THOS. 8WINTARD, Esq.,
LOST THEIR LIVES. *

BY THB

REV. JOHN HEBDEN, M. A, T. C. D.,

RECTOR.

HAMILTON:

SPECTATOR PRINTING HOUSE, CORNER MAIN AND JAM^S-STt.

1870.

'< '

> ^

At tub uaGBNT uequbst or sbvbhal Friends and Parishioners,

THE FOLLOWING SeRMON IS PRINTED, WITH THE SIMPLE VIEW TO ITS

Private Ciuoulation, by

THE AUTHOR.

Church or tub Accbmbion Rectory,
Hamilton, Ont., Canada,
July \%th, im.

f >

f %

" For all flesh is as grass, and all tho glory of man as tho flower of
grass. Tho grass withcreth, and tho flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word
which by the gospel is preached unto you."

l8T Pbtbr I, 24, 25.

Those, my brethren, arc solemn and touching woi'ds —
words, the truth of which it requires no effort of faith to
roceive; it comes enforced by a too sad and universal
experience.

fiut it is one thing to admit that a particular statement
is true : and it is quite another to act upon the truth ac-
knowledged. It is upon the lips of every man to confess
that all are mortal — it is not every one, who makes the
acknowledgment, that lives it. This last tho Apostle did:
— and ho holds himself belbre us as an example to imi-
tate, in so far as his walk was approved by Him, whom
we profess to follow for our Lord and Master : " Bo ye
"followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." And,
writing to the Church in Corinth, the Apostle tells them,
that he never suffered the truth of his mortal condition to

«r

Blip from his memory, or to fail in solemnizing hiw daily
life. "I die," saith ho, "daily;" that ia, as if he had said,
" I live as one, who, not knowing what a day, or an hour
"may bring forth, believes that each passing moment
"may bo my last. I place over before my mind my
" death, as the subject of my solemn and sobering medita-
" tions." Pressing this awful truth on the attention of
universal man, the Scripture asks : "What is your life ?"
and itself gives back the suggestive answer : " It is oven
"as a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then
" vanisheth away." Death is the goal, which all must
reach — for saith the same infallible woixl, " It is appoint-
" ed unto men once to die." Towards that goal, all, will-
ing or unwilling, are hastening onward. We cannot evade
or decline this race, "that is sot before us." Time forces
us along the appointed course : and it is short at the
longest ; for, " Man is as a llowor of the field : lor the
" wind passeth over it, and it is gone j and the place
" thereof shall know it no more."

Strange, when we think of the issues, which hang upon
death, and which Heath forever determines, that we should
oven for a moment forget, that we are mortal — sad re-
minder as deach is, that "all have sinned, and come short
"of the glory of God." But surrounded as we are with
living objects, — encompassed on all sides with life, — the
dead removed from our sight,— -we forget the truth of our
own mortality, until by, it may be, some sudden shock —
by some melancholy and impressive 'dispensation, Gotl
Himself, in grace and mercy, points, as with His own
finger, to the record He has written, and which tells us,
that " in the midst of life we ai'o in death !" May a
deep conviction of the fleeting nature of everything, that
is of the earthly, be indelibly impressed upon our souls :
and may the conviction be so blessed to us, by the influ-
ence of The Holy Spirit, that we may be led to " set our

"affoctions on thingM al)ovo, and not on things on the
"earth."

The Apostlo statos of human, earthly life, that it is " as
"grass," — "all flesh is as grass." Not because of its green-
ness ; but of its evanescent, short-lived, character. It
springs up rapidly, «nd matures quickly to the mower's
hand. Our children are newly bom : we note not the
solt, swift flight of time : and we find the babe of yester-
day verging on maturity. The maiden and youth of to-
day, looking with bright anticipation on life, coloured
with its rosy hues, are soon the aged woman and man —
•the glory of their day has faded, and the dusky shadows
of night are drawing on apace, and somboring their sky
— for "all flesh is as grass:" "in the morning it is
" green ; but in the evening, it is cut down, and withered."
Patient and uncomplaining Job took wise heed of the
rapidly-passing character of time ; — " My days," said he,
"are swifter than a po^t. They are 'passed away a^ the
"swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey."
The trustful Prophet, to whom were revealed the gracious
purposes of God in the future, and whose faith in the sta-
bility of the Divine promises was unsurpassed, yet
looked mournfully on the perishing, passing character of
earthly life ; — "We all do fade as a leaf; and our iniqui-
" ties, like the wind, have taken us away."

Brethren, all do not realize, and live as those who
realized, that life, — human, earthly life, — is thus short.
The truth is not an agreeable one — the thought of it is
painful : and, therefore, it is turned from ; and the con-
sequence is, that a contemplation, which our gracious
and heavenly Father designs that we should entertain, is
studiously avoided ; and a means not employed, which
conduces greatly to man's spiritual improvement. He
succeeds in pushing aside the truth, that meets him
hourly, and which tells him that death is'at hand ; and he

-"p^

mJSSi

learns not the salutary lesson, which it is intended he
should receive.

" All flesh is as grass." The tender bud, the opening
flower, the withered blossom, promiscuously lie low be-
neath the wide sweep of Death's fatal scythe.

Infancy's sinless eyes are sealed at the touch of death's
chilly fingers. Its restless life is quieted — it has become
still and motionless under death's icy touch. The beauty
and vigor of youth pass away beneath the blighting
power of death. Its bloom passes from the cheek — its
light from the eye — its activity from the limb. Manhood
confesses the uncontrolled sway of death. The hand for-
gets its cunning — the brain its power of thought — the
fV*ame its strength. And age, forewarned by decay, is
confessed to be the legitimate prey of death.

And, if in every instance death is solemn and affecting,
more sad and affecting than another is the death of the
youthful. The period of infancy is that, in which life is
surrounded with many and peculiai^ dangers — counter-
acted no doubt by many and special providences.* Each
day of infant life brings with it its attendant perils, com-
pelling us to hold it with very relaxed hand. We feel
that our tenure of it is uncertain : and, when our infiant
children are taken from us, it is with a consciousness, that
we had never dared to call them our own.

Age has lived its allotted span. Three score years and
ten, are reached by the good providence of God : and then
we wait, in constant and patient expectation of our change.
Days are a labor, and nights are a weariness ; and the
tired spirit longs to be at rest. Our powers fail ; and
weaty nature would seek jts long repose.

But every affecting circumstance gathers around the
death of the young. All the bright associations of life
love to cluster about them ; and give a charm and delight
to their existene. There is no cloud in their sky — their
whole being is bathed in brightness and beauty. They are

*Matt. xvin, 10.

the light and pride of home, — they are the joy and boast
of friends. Ala's, Brethren, when this light is quenched,
how profound the darkness ! When youthful iiroices are
for ever hushed, how deep and oppressive the silence !

How has. not God brought home, but now, to every one
of us the truth of His own words, — " all flesh is as grass,"
that, " in the midst of life we are in death ? " One short
week since, and they, whom death has snatched from our
midst, sat in this, God's House, as you sit in it to-day. One
more day, — and three young lives, made bright and happy
by the most tender parental solicitude and affection, and
reflecting back that light again within their joyous home,
pass away from earth, and from the worship of the
Church below, to Heaven and to the worship of the Church
above. We must not speak of this otherwise than of a
deep and heavy affliction, which casts a dark and heavy
shadow over a sorrowing home! Man must needs
be silent, in the presence of such a grief, as follows upon
the parting with those, in Avhom the bereaveds' own life
was entwined.

Long years of happy existence had doubtless been anti-
cipated — bright hopes were bound up with the loved ones.
Reason teaches, and Nature expects, that, when God's
messenger shall come, it will be to take ourselves, the
older, hence : and we picture to our mind our children,
gathered around our dying bod to receive our last words of
advice, of aff'ection and of blessing. The messenger's
speedy approach has been anticipated; and when ho
comes, he is not unwelcome. We are prepared for the
summons, which the dark-winged angel softly whispers :—
"The Master is come, and calleth for thee." Faith has
little to do here— all is, as it were, sight. It is the natural
termination of earthly life— its purpose has been fulfilled
—the work allotted has been completed—the energy and
power necessary, in order to do more, are expended ; for
— " man goeth forth to his work and to his labor until the

SSS***"

" evening'' — his hour of reposo has arrived ; and he gladly
enters into his fully earned, and longed for rest.

But it Is altogether faith, and in no respect sight, when
life is cut off in its opening bloom and strength. It has
been carefully guarded, and led on up to that period, when
God's purpose, with His bright, good, and intelligent
creature, is soon apparently to take its full form and shape.
The instrument is well adjusted to, and nearly fitted for,
its destined work ; and then it is for ever, and as if cause-
lessly, put aside. The healthy, vigorous, and beautiful
plant has been watched, and nursed, and tended, by God's
good and loving providence, up to the very moment of the
sweet flower's unfolding itself in its full beauty, to delight
and to charm : and the hand that reared and trained, and
the mind that matured and cultivated, stop their work at
the very critical moment of success ; and the all but per-
fected plant is seemingly allowed to perish. There is no
gradual decay — there is no insidious canker of disease —
there is no approach of sickness, to intimate the approach
of danger — ^no gradual decline to soften the blow — no ail-
ment, presaging the possible approach of death — no suffer*
ing, weaning the heart to submit to what is coming,
contenting it to bear its burden of sorrow and bereavement,
if only the loved one may pass from pain, and the weary
one find its rest. Yes I Often, when God's " paths are
thi-ough the great waters. His footsteps are not known."
He is there — but the eye cannot see Him. Faith alone
can discern Him.

God has made Himself known to us— and faith, taking
hold of His word, bows with lowly submission, recognizing
His hand, and confessing, that whatsoever He doeth. He
doeth wisely and well : and looking up with meek and tear-
ful eye acknowledges His loving correction ; — " Even so.
Father ; for so it seemeth good in Thy sight." Faith
takes hold upon the gracious revelation, that no single
sparrow falleth to the ground unforgotten by our Father

'^^>*-

■a

in Heaven— that no one hair of our head is unnumbered
by Him : and, therefore, when to sight everything is dark
and confused, and enveloped in impenetrable cloud, the
eye of faith can see clearly ; and the ear of faith can dis-
tinctly hear the still small voice, that saith :— "When thou
" passcst through the waters, I will be with thee ; and
" through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. . . .
" for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy
" Saviour."

Oh 1 blessed Revelation, which shinoth as a light in a
dark place ! Oh! blessed grace of faith, which strengthens
the bowed aud the weak to walk patiently along the road
marked out for them by their Father in Heaven! Oh !
blessed Throne of grace, to which the tried are exhorted to
come with confidence, in their time of need ; assured of
the required help, from the great sympathizing High
Priest ! ' Oh ! blessed experience of the Psalmist — (may it
be realized abundantly this day by the heavy-laden
amongst us,) — " in the multituteofthe sorrows, that I had
" in my heart. Thy comforts have refreshed my soul."

Yes, Brethren, there are sorrows, which human aid how-
ever ready, and however rendered, is powerless to relieve.
Profound sympathy cannot lighten it,— she feels that she
must stand aside, yearning, but unable, to help. Such
the sorrow,under which friends, well-known to all present,
now suffer. Wide-spread and universal the sympathy felt
for them, in this their hour of heavy affliction— in the
calamity, by which their home has been made desolate.
The language of one humble person, who spoke of the sad
occurence, may be taken as expressive of the feeling of
all :— " I do not know the family — I am not aware that I
" over saw a member of it : but, oh ! my heart bleeds for
"them." Personal friends, it is true, may feel more
accutely ; they cannot feel more sincerely. And if it be
possible, that a true, earnest 'and profound sympathy,
flowing forth from the common heart of the community,

( 9* /^^9

can alleviate, by over 60 little, the bui-den of tlie anguished,
— can raise by a very little the weight that oppresses,
then should we know, that at least that little relief was
experienced.

May God's richest consolations be poured into the
lacerated hearts ! May the troubled feel in its fullness
the truth of the Scripture:—" Whom the Lord loveth, lie
" chasteneth." And may the bereaved reap the blessed
fruit of a patient and faithful submission ;—" Thy right
" hand shall hold me up ; and Thy loving con-ection shall
" make me great."

Let us one and all, realize in a practical manner, that
life— earthly life — is held by a most uncertain tenure. We
have been taught the lesson, that, as the matured and
aged are not to presume on a long continuance of life ; so
the youthful must not count on length of days. The
Apostle, fts I have said, shaped his human life by the wise
rule: — "I die daily." With similar meaning, the psalmist
made the confession: — "My times are in Thy hands."
Life is here represented, as governed by the abiding
conviction of the uncertainty of human, mundane, exist-
ence — the heart, as reposing upon God the Lord, as the
good and loving arbiter of the destinies of man — the
mind, as accepting the Divine will, as that to which it is
wise and best to conform. God's redeemed creature living
in a state of constant preparedness for the last call, when-
ever that call may come.

Oh 1 that the truth of the uncertainty and shortness of
life were more generally received — more indelibly im-
pressed on the memory, and the heart of all !

Let us also learn from the sad event, which has so
deeply stirred us, that our condition is that of sin. No sin
— ^110 death. The guilt of sin imputed to the guileless and
innocent. Death falling upon those, who had " not sinned
" after the similitude of Adam's transgression." The
infant of days, sinking under ^he power of death, equally

*•■

-o^J*

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« •

/ V

« •

with tho intelligent, responsible, willful transgressor. Bo
not indifferent and unconcerned about a state of sin. A
state of sin means a state of alienation towards God.
Watch, Brethren, with the utmost possible care, the
symptoms— the motions of mind— the inclinations, —
which give their testimony to the fact, that the heart is
not yet friendly towai*ds God : which tend to show, that
tho feelings and desires, by which we are animated and
actuated, do not accord with the mind and will of G^od —
that they do not draw us to Him ; that they lead us from
Him. "Watch most jealously those i^ymptoms of the heart's
alienation from the good, and gi'eat, and blessed Being.
And fail not to accept,ns the most infallible of truths, that
where the heart is thus turned away from God, and His
will and ways; there is that spiritual lifelessness, which
keeps the soul and body ripe for tho second death.

Learn something more, too, from recent events, than
your condition — man's condition of sin :— The love of God
for the sinner.

It was the loving voice of God Himself, intimating
man's victory over death, through the offering of the Lord
Jesus Christ for sin, which spoke to the parents, sorrowing
for the less of their beloved child : — " The maid is not
" dead, but steepcM." " I go," spake Christ with a similar
intent of meaning, — " I go to awake Lazarus out of sieg)."
To that great and gracious work of Christ — undertaken
and accomplished at the instance of the Father, — the
Apostle points, when he, divinely inspired, thus writes : —
" Brethren I would not have you ignorant concerning
" them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others*
" which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died
" and rose again, even so them also which sleep in^ Jesus
" will God bring with Him."

Yes ! God is loving unto every man, and His tender
mercy is over all His works — pre-eminently over His last,
greatest and chiefest work— Jfan.

'■^.

mum

f*-

Oh ! Surely, God's blessed revelation is u challenge to
us, that unbelief is now impossible — that now we cannot
help but believe, that He has no other disposition towards
us than that of love. " I will divide Him a portion with
" the great ; and He shall divide the spoil with the
" strong." Help is given the helpless-— upon the young
and irresponsible, who have not willfully sinned " after
" the similitute of Adam's transgression," the merits of
the Eedeemer rest —unto them is the righteousness of
Christ imputed — God has taken them under the terms of
His covenant, and brought them under the bright shining
of His favor; and they have passed from death unto life.
Do we not owe Him, our Heavenly Father, the poor
return of our gratitude for this His own graciously pro-
vided mercy ? Ho calls our children to Him ; and they
are at rest !

May He draw us by means of them 1 May the undoubt-
ing faith, we have of their safety, lead us in penitence,
faith,and love to Him. May it open our hearts, in perfect
trust and confidence, to Him ! And, above all, may the
gracious gift of His only Begotten made to us, when we
lay in darkness and in the shadow of death, give us that
knowledge of Him, which shall make unbelief impossible
— and irradiate the darkest cloud of life's sorrow,with the
brightness and glory of Heaven itself. Then, Brethren,
consolation will come— then shall we know, that separa-
tion from beloved onc.5 is but for a time — that a meeting
awaits us in that not distant future, where our reunion
shall be for ever! And then. Brethren, shall we with
fuller heart, because with riper knowledge, confess
the goodness ot our God and Saviour : and, as we look
once again upon our beloved— then far brighter and more
lovely, than when first we knew them— shall we from full
heart join with them in the great song of the redeemed : —
" Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins
" in Ris own blood, and hath made us kings and priests

ininn

" unto God and His Fatlicr ; to him bo glory and dominion
" for ever and ever. Amen."

The following Hymn, from the collection used In the
Church of the Ascension, was sung on the occasion, when
the foregoing Sermon was preached.

" My God, my Father, while I stray
Far from my home in life's rough way,
Oh teach me from my heart to say,
"Thy will be done!"

Though dark my path, and sad my lot,
Let me be still, and murmur not,
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
" Thy will be done I "

What though in lonely grief I sigh
For friends belov'd, no longer nigh.
Submissive still would I reply,

« Thy will be done ! "

Though' Thou hast call'd me to resign
What most I prized, it ne'er was mine,
I have but yielded what was Thine ;
« Thy will be done ! "

Should grief or sickness waste away
My life in premature decay.
My Father t still I strive to say,

"Thy will be done!"

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God, to Thee I leave the rest ;
"Thy will be done!"

Renew my will from day to day ;
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
" Thy will be done ! "

Then, when on earth I breathe no more,
The prayer, oft mix'd with tears before,
I'll sing upon a happier shore,

"Thy will be done!"