E V
'A 4 2,75.
S E R M ON “”

40ELIVERED AT CASTLETON, VT.
AT
THE INTERMENT OF
DEACON EBER GRIDLEY,
º/HO DEPARTED THIS LIFE IN THE FORTY-FIFTH
YEAR OF HIS AGE: * * * t
LORD’S DAY, MARCH 4, 1821,
IT BEING
THE STATED COMMUNION
OF THE CHURCH.
* *- =e
BY ELIHU, SMHTH, A. M.
Pastor of the Church.
TUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
* The memory of the just is blessed.”—Prov. x, 3.
RUTLAND :
#PRINTED BY WILLIAM FAY,
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‘S F. R M ON,
PSALM xii. 1.
Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from
among the children of men.
SOLEMN and important are the duties of this day.
This is our usual time of commemorating the dying love
of our glorious Redeemer. The table of the Lord is
now spread before us ; and soon the church of God, in
this place, will partake of those symbols, which represent
the sufferings and death of our Immanuel.
We have also another important scene before us, which
interests not only the feelings of the church of God, but
of this large and respectable assembly. We have con-
vened to pay our last respects to one of our number; to
a much beloved officer in this branch of the church. We
have here convened to drop the mourning tear over these
remains, and then assign them to the cold and silent grave.
And while before God, let us offer prayer to him, who is
able to bestow all needed blessings, that he would send
down the comforting influences of his Holy Spirit, on the
bereaved friends, the church of God, and this numerous
congregation.
When we reflect on the virtues of him who sleeps in
death before us, and that firmness with which he sup-
ported the christian character; and realize that his place
can only be filled by him who controuls the hearts of
men, we are constrained to use the language of the psalm-
ist, in the words of the text, “Help, Lord; for the godly
man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children
of men.”
We are here taught that “godly men cease;” that “the
faithful fail from among the children of men.”
In attending to these words, we shall
I. Illustrate the characters mentioned.
II. Illustrate the truth, that the godly, or faithful fail
and cease from among the children of men: And then
close with observations suited to the solemnities of the
day.
4:
It is proposed,
I. To illustrate the characters named in the text. The
two characters are the godly and the faithful. They ex-
ist in the same person, and are uniformly found in the
breast of those who “fear God and keep his command-
ments.”
Here let us observe,
First, That a godly or faithful man, is one who has
been born of the Spirit, and had the image of God en-
graven on his heart.
By nature we are fallen, sinful creatures. Our iniqui-
ties have separated between us and our God, and our sins
have hid his face from us. By the fall we have become
bond slaves to Satan. Thus we read, “the devil has the
power of death.” Man, by an inspired writer, is describ-
ed as walking “according to the prince of the power of
the air.” Sin hath abounded; there is no age of the
werld, country or nation, but what manifests its direful
effects, and is justly chargeable with transgression.
“God made man in his own image; in the image of
God created he him.” “But how is the gold become
dim how is the most fine gold changed ſ” Sin has de-
faced the moral world; that original likeness of God,
which was “righteousness and true holiness,” has been
lost. In order then to be godly, the same image must
be reinstated. To this end the Spirit of God rests on
men, and they are “renewed in the spirit of their mind;”
and from carnal they become spiritual. Until this change
is wrought there is no divine excellency abiding in man.
Our Saviour saith, “Except a man be born of water and
the ‘pirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Again he saith, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye
must be born again.” The apostle saith, “If any man
be in Christ he is a new creature. If any man has not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. As many as are
led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
We see, then, that by a godly man we are to under-
stand one who is under the influences of the Holy Spirit,
and who cordially submits to the divine government. As
his heart is renewed. So if is warmed with divine love....
His affections are placed on things above, and not on
5.
things on the earth. He has “put on the new man, which,
is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that
created him.” And as the cloud of the divine presence
descended and rested on the temple, so the body becomes
the temple of the Holy Spirit. The great apostle of the
Gentiles saith, “For it is God which worketh in you,
both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Mysteri-
ous is such influence; but full of comfort to every child
of God.
Secondly. A godly or faithful man is one who exer-
cises evangelical repentance for sin.
Although God beholds men in their pollution, and
saith unto them, “live;” yet the Spirit does not act upon
them as though they were machines. The free and vol-
untary exercise of the creature is not impeded; but all
the christian graces are brought into exercise, by the in-
fluences of the Spirit. Formerly there was a love for
sin; now there is a hatred of it, and by the exercise of
the same powers of mind.—The will is just as free in
hating sin as it was in loving it.
This hatred of sin, on account of its deadly nature, and
as opposed to an infinitely holy God, is that evangelical
repentance which is so often inculcated in the holy scrip-
tures. “The times of this ignorance God winked at ;
but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”....
Again we read, “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise
perish.” * *
By a godly man we are undoubtedly to understand one
who hates sin as God hates it. Not that finite, imperfect
creatures can exercise that dreadful hatred, which is found
in the mind of a holy God against sin; no, but they can
have that which will be of the same nature, though it may
fall infinitely short in degree. This sorrow, as it partakes
so much of the divine nature, is called a godly sorrow.
We read, “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation
not to be repented of.”
Thirdly. Another feature in the character of a godly
or faithful man, is faith. This is produced by the divine
operation; and the God of wisdom has given to man a
ower to exercise the same, under the influences of the
§. Here is a belief communicated, which guides and
6
controls the good man’s conduct. The belief of new
truths usually has influence on the conduct of men. How
productive, then, that which receives the doctrines of the
gospel, and believes on, and trusts in, the Son of God,
who died for the sins of the world. This faith is a belief
in the whole revelation of God; a helief that there is a
God, the maker and righteous governor of the universe,
before whom allereated intelligencies must stand, and an-
swer for the deeds done in the body. This belief also
receives Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who died for
the sins of the world.
This faith, which lays hold on the promises of God,
gives peculiar support amidst the perplexities and calam-
ities of life. It guides the pilgrim all his journey through
this wilderness world, and enabies him to look forward to
a state where he will be admitted to the unceasing cm-
ployment of ascribing honour, glory and dominion unto
God and the Lamb for ever and ever.
It is faith, this heaven-born exercise, which makes the
godly man, and renders it proper that he should be called
by this expressive appellation. The apostle saith, “With-
out faith it is impossible to please God; for he that com-
eth to him must believe that he is, and that he is a re-
warder of them that diligently seek him.”
Fourthly. A godly or faithful man makes religion the
business of life. He does not attend to religion as though
it was a matter of indifference, and must give place to
worldly concerns. Instead of this religion is predomi-
nant. It is the business of life. Every thing is made
subservient to it. He carefully attends to all the common
means of grace, the reading of the word of life, prayer,
and the more solemn duties of the sanctuary.
A godly man exhibits, fruit corresponding to his pro-
{ession; “by their fruits ye shall know them.” We are
not, however, to understand, that the power of religion
consists in the reformation of conduct; yet the power
of religion, operating on the mind, will always effect the
morals. Therefore, those who are born of God, are said
to be “created anew in Christ Jesus, unto good works.”
That there should be a principle of holiness, and not
manifest by works, is both contrary to the word of God,
7
and the experience of every christian. Paul, the servant
of God, before his conversion, was a blasphemer and a
persecutor of the saints; but no sooner did he become
a new creature in Christ Jesus, than he made religion the
main business of life. He laboured much for his own.
spiritual advantage, and the good of immortal souls; ex-
hibiting a spirit of goodness, meekness and temperance.
When a child of God sees the displays of divine grace,
his heart leaps forth for joy, and he is ready to discharge
with fidelity the important duties which devolve upon
him. He gives all diligence to make his “calling and elec-
tion sure.” He is ready to “work out his own salvation
with fear and trembling.”
The christian does not exclude himself from the plea-
sures derived from the things of this life, nor is he re-
quired to do it. Every creature of God is good, and he
receives it with thanksgiving. All temporal blessings,
when seasoned by divine grace, greatly promote the hap-
piness of man in this life, and do not in the least hinder
his preparation to meet his God.
Fifthly. A godly or faithful man is zealous and con-
Cerned for the salvation of immortal souls.
The benevolence of a child of God is not limited by
the extent of his own wants, the wants of his own family,
or relatives. He may love all these, and be specially
anxious for them, and do no more than others; “for sin-
ners love those that love them.” Call to mind the labors
and sufferings of the apostles, those faithful servants of
the Lord. They laboured and submitted to the greatest
sufferings, that they might extend the blessings of grace
to those whom they had never seen. They laboured by
prayer and exhortation to bring their enemies to the know-
ledge of the truth, that their souls might be saved. Bar-
nabas, when he saw the people of Antioch, “exhorted
them, that with purpose of heart, they would cleave unto
the Lord.” Similar appears to have been the feelings and
language of all the apostles; “their voices were heard in
every direction where there was an idol to be overthrown,
or a sinner converted to God.” Every true christian has
something of the same spirit He is ready to warn and
admonish sinners of their danger, and the error of their
ways, that they may be brought to God.
3
A godly man looks on the heathen, and pities them in
their wretchedness. He sees that blackness of moral
darkness with which they are covered, and is ready to
weep over them, and pray for them; yes, and deprive
himself of some temporal blessings, that he may aid in
dispelling the mists of darkness and superstition with
which they are surrounded. He is desirous that they
should enjoy the light of gospel truth; that by this means
their condition might be meliorated, and their souls fitted
for immortal glory. *
Again. A godly or a faithful man has a concern for
the temporal welfare of the children of men.
Our Saviour, when on earth, displayed his infinite
goodness, in alleviating the temporal condition of the
children of men. Those who bear his image, will pur-
sue the same course. Instead of saying to the cold and
hungry, be ye warmed, be ye fed, they are ready to give .
those things which are needful to the body. They
are not disposed to send the needy empty away. The
benevolent heart descends down to the lowest wants and
sufferings of human nature; and is ready “to bind up the
wounds and smooth the pillow of the miserable and af.
flicted.”
II. We pass to illustrate the truth, that the godly fail
and cease from among the children of men.
It is not probable, that the psalmist, in the words of
the text, alluded to any particular person; yet we have
this positive declaration, “that the godly do cease and the
faithfuſſail from among the children of men.” This solemn
truthis illustrated by the history of past ages. The godly
have not only ceased, but by the dispensations of divine pro-
vidence, they have ceased in the meridian of life. The
prophets, where are they 2 The saints of old, do they
live? They have ceased from among the children of
men, and long been numbered with the great congrega-
tion of the dead. The long catalogue of worthies, men-
tioned in the 11th chapter of Hebrews, enforce this same
truth: “they all died in faith ”
The history of the apostles, those faithful servants of
the Lord, who, amidst the greatest dangers, planted the
first christian churches, confirms the same fact. They
9
all ceased and failed from among the children of men ;
and many of them apparently in the midst of their days.
Permit me here to name Stephen, one of the first dea-
cons, and eminent as a preacher of the gospel, who was
early removed from his labours. The stroke of death
terminated his exertions before he had completed one
year in the great work of reformation.
We might descend through the different ages of the
church, and find a variety of examples, which would il-
lustrate the declaration of the psalmist, in the text. How
many faithful servants of the Most High, who have fail-
ed in the midst of their days? Time would fail us if
we should presume to enumerate the many worthies
whose sun has gone down at noon. &
Many parts of the divine government are beyond the
comprehension of man; find while the mystery appears
to be great, we may in si), nt submission bow to the dis-
pensations of Jehovah. The inspired penman saith—
“Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find
out the Almighty unto perſection? It is as high as heav-
en, what canst thou do? Deeper than hell, what canst
thou know? The measure thereoſ is longer than the
earth, and broader than the sea.” Add to this the words
of David, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.....
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.”
We are inclined, in view of the prosperity of the
church, to feel, that the servants of God ought now to
live as long as the ancient patriarchs; but the dealings of
Jehovah shew that this is not wisdom. God is infinitely
wise and good. “He seeth not as man seeth.” He can-
not err. “His work is perfect: a God of truth and with-
out iniquity, just and right is he.” *
God displays his mysterious sovereignty in the dispo-
sal of his servants; but all is under the direction of infi-
nite wisdom and adoring love. How many are called
from their labours in the church, apparently in the midst
of their days; by which the all-sufficiency of Jehovah
declares, that he can maintain his own cause, without the
agency of these worms of the dust. When his love re-
eeives the Soul of his servants into heaven, wisdom de-
{ 33
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cides that this is best, while to us sovereignty alone ap-
pears. * &
This leads me to close, with observations suited to the
solemnities of the day.
The present occasion is solemn and interesting. A
fellow mortal lies before us, cold in the embraces of death;
and one too, who has shone in the church as one of her
brightest ornaments. In his death this church has lost
a firm pillar, and the religious society in this place an able
supporter. We are led first to enquire, what is our duty 2
By this dispensation of divine providence, the pillars of
the church are shaken. A dark and impenetrable gloom
hangs over us. That seat, which has been vacated, can-
not be filled by an arm of flesh. What then is our duty 2
We have ofr direction in the words of the text; “ help
Lord.” We have Ho where to go, but unto the Lord....
To him we ought to pray, lifting up holy hands, that he
would “arise and plead his own cause.”
Another reflection is, that we are in duty bound to
humble ourselves before God on this occasion. His
chastising hand is over us. He does not willingly grieve
or afflict the children of men. Why, then, is the rod of
his anger thus stretched over us? It is because we de-
serve and greatly need his ehastisements. Let us, then,
humble ourselves before him, that he may come over our
many iniquities, and pardon all our transgressions.
Another reflection is, that we ought to be submissive to
this special providence. We in this event know the will
of God. To murmur and repine is certainly no less than
to contend with God. “The Lord is king in Zion.— .
The Lord reigneth, let the carth rejoice; let the multi-
tude of the isles be glad thereof.” A deep sense that a
God, infinite in knowledge and wisdom, hath brought
this affliction, must lead us to sit in silent submission;
solemnly impressed with the reflection that “it is the
Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.”
We are, however, suitably to notice the hand of God.
If we do not the designed effect will be lost. While
murmurings are disapproved of in the word of God,
suitable mourning is countenanced. Abraham, the ser-
vant of God, mourned for his beloved wife. Jesus wept
ll
at the grave of Lazarus; and it becomes the children of
men, it cven corresponds with the christian character,
suitably to mourn the loss of dear friends.
What is to be our sorrow on the present occasion ?—
The language of the apostle is in point. “But I would
not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that you sorrow not even as others, which
have no hopc.” We have endeavoured to delineate the
character of a godly, faithful man, whose inheritance is in
everlasting bliss. Let us now.look to the character of
the deceased, that we may see what ground there is to
hope, that his departed spirit is now in glory.
Deacon E.B E R GRID LEY was born of christian parents
the 2 ith of July, 1776. In his infancy he was dedicated
to God in the ordinance of baptism, and early instructed
in the doctrines of our holy religion.
In the winter of 1799, he was first awakened to a sense
of spiritual things. It was at this period, a period ever
recollected by him with the liveliest emotions, “that the
commandment came and sin revived.” His conversion
preceded a powerful work of grace in Hartford West
Society, Connecticut, his native place; so that he appear-
ed among the first fruits. The first sabbath in August,
of the same year, he made a public profession of his faith,
and united with the people of God.
From this he sust...ined an unblemished christian char.
acter, and gave a comfortable evidence that he had been
born of the Spirit. That decision and energy which
had before marked his character, were directed to the
support of that cause which he had publicly espoused.
In 1807, he removed his relation to the church of Christ
in Weathersfield, Vt. where he was first elected deacon,
which office he filled to the edification of the brethren,
until his removal to this town. His relation was trans-
ferred to this body the 7th of April, 1816, and about one
year after, he was chosen deacon in this church.
In the autumn of 1816, the Lord poured out his spirit,
and a most powerful revival commenced among this peo-
ple, which greatlv affected the heart of our deceased
friend. With what ecstacies of joy he went from house
to house, labouring in this cause, for no other reward
:
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than the love he bore to the souis of men. So much
was he filled with the Spirit of our God, that it was his
happy lot to spend sleepless nights in almost constant
prayer. In unfolding his ſoclings to his intimate friends,
he frequently made use of the language of Watts,
“My willing soul would stay
“In such a frame as this,
“And sing and bear herself away
“To everiasting bliss.”
Many who are new within the sound of my voice,
and to whom the Inemory of the deceased will ever be
dear, can bear me witness, that words are too feeble to
bring into view that holy flame which was kindled in his
soul on the descent of the Holy Spirit among us. His
prayers, his admonitions, and exhortations all bore wit-
ness that he, like Barnabas, was full of the Holy Ghost.
He firmly believed the great doctrines of grace, and
cherished a sense of the great importance of cultivating
the graces of the Spirit; placing all his hopes of final
perseverance to glory, in God’s faithfulness to his precious
promises. He ever manifested a wish to meliorate the
temporal and spiritual condition of man. The poor he
seldom sent empty away. He gave at home his cordial
support to the cause of God; and benevolent societies
which have been formed for the advancement of the Re-
deemer's kingdom, have generally met with his support.
The same benevolent feelings are breathed forth in his
last will and testament. After taking suitable care of his
afflicted companion, and granting some small legacies,
manifesting that he was not unmindful of his friends, he
has bequeathed the residue of his property to the educa-
tion of pious young men for the gospel ministry, and
the support of missionaries in heathen lands. He felt (as
he remarked to a friend,) that his property came from the
Lord, and that it ought to be devoted to the support of
his cause.*
&
&
.*From an inventory taken of I.is property since his decease, it appears, that
after the payment of the $800, bequeathcq to his relatives, the $100 to the gin
who had lived for years in his family, and the $500 to the Rutland County Gram-
mar School, to be applied to the education of pious young men, there will be
more than $4000 to be equally divided (after the decease of the widow) between
the Rutland County Grammar School, the Northwestern Branch of the American
Education Society, and the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, fl.
a º
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In his last sickness, without murmuring or repining,
he bore his pain and distress of body, and with the great-
est composure of mind viewed the decay of nature and
the approach of death. In allusion to his fainting on a
previous day, he observed, “I should have been entirely
willing never to have recovered, had it been the will of
God;” but soon added, “I am willing to wait the alot-
ments of divine providence, and undergo whatever God
shall see fit to inflict.” He repeatedly expressed the
gratitude which he felt to a merciful God, for the nume-
rous blessings which he daily enjoyed. On the night
before his decease, while labouring for breath, he observ-
ed, “that death to many was considered a gloomy subject;
one on which the physician often thought that the sick
ought not to dwell; but it was no terror to him.” When
his vision failed, he said, “I cannot see; my sight is gone.”
On being asked if he did not still see with an eye of
faith; he replied, “O yes; my confidence in God is un-
shaken:” and with his expiring breath and faultering
voice, he pronounced his farewell benediction on those
around his bed—“O, may you all be prepared to be con-
ducted, by a convoy of angels, through the dark valley
of the shadow of death, to realms of everlasting bliss.”
“Grace, rich grace, from God surprising,
“Sheds its light through sorrow’s gloom ;
“Faith and hope, from thence arising,
“Rise and triumph o'er the tomb.”
This large and respectable assembly will now indulge
me in some addresses. * &
We would first address the afflicted widow.
*
Dear Madam—Your husband is now gone, never to
return. God hath seen fit to take him away, and dis.
solve that endearing relation which, to your mutual com-
also appears from his father's books, that on entering into business for himself, he
had received $423 77. This will, therefore, is a just exemplification of his true
character. While his heart is warm with benevolence, he does not overlook the
mice appearance of justice, but carefully returns both principal and interest to the
descendants of his venerable father.
*As the addresses were delivered extempore, they cannct, only in part, be given
to the public, * - -
14
fort and happiness, has so long existed. The scene is
doubtless more trying than you could anticipate in your
most serious reflections. Great must be your grief on
beholding him pale in the agonies of death; and also, on
following his remains this day, from your once happy,
but now gloomy dwelling: and how will your grief be
heightened, on beholding that dark and dismal vault,
which awaits the reception of her new treasure 1 Be
careful to mingle along with your grief, those comforts
which religion furnishes, and which are inseparable from
christian mourning. Whilst your house is left unto you
desolate, and you are deprived of that religious instruc-
tion which so naturally fell from his lips, and those ar-
dent prayers which, morning and evening, ascended from
the family altar; it is important that you trust in him,
who said to the house of Israel, “Let thy widows trust in
me.” Trust in God. He is able to make up all out-
ward losses by the communication of himself. You
cannot look upon him as lost to the church of God;—
you confidently hope, that already his departed spirit has
joined in the song of Moses and the Lamb, before the
throne of Jehovah.
You, dear madam, ought to bless God for the hope,
“that, after a short separation you will meet in a better
world, where benevolent souls will be each other’s joy
for ever.”
To you who mourn the loss of a brother, I would
remark, a- º
You this day witness a trying scene ; but while you
mourn the loss of a brother, you have much consolation
from his peaceful death. You have reason to hope, that
what is your loss is his unspeakable gain.
We sincerely hope, that you are possessed of that be-
nevolence, which will lead you to rejoice in that dispo-
sition of his temporal interest, which so signally dis-
played the love he bore to the souls of men.
Remember that you must shortly follow your departed
friend into the eternal world ; and happy for you, if you
are prepared to depart in peace, and resign your spirits
into the arms of the Lord Jesus.
I5
Let us now turn to the church.
My brethren and sisters in the Lord—He who now
sleeps in death, was a faithful brother. The prosperity
and welfare of this church and people lay near his heart.
He cheerfully employed his talents, and lent his property,
to advance the cause of the Redeemer. But his work is
done. His days are numbered and finished. The cold
hand of death has seized upon him, and he has “failed
from among the children of men.” Though that dark
and gloomy vault, which is already opened, must soon re-
ceive these mouldering limbs; yet it cannot always con-
fine his mortal part. The slumbers of the tomb must
be broken. He must come forth to meet his Lord and
master; and we confidently hope, that in a new and spir-
‘’itual body, he will be seated in the world of glory, to go
Il O Iſlore Out.
It is our duty suitably to mourn his loss, and look to
God in earnest prayer, that he would, by his Spirit, qualify
another brother to receive and fill his office.
We now, my brethren and sisters, are about to receive
the Sacramental supper, under circumstances perhaps
more solemn than at any former period. Those hands,
which so often presented you with the bread and wine,
are now cold in death; and the spirit of him, who anti-
cipated communing with us this day, we confidently
hope, has commenced a new and never ceasing com-
munion in heaven with his divine Lord.
“From his hands, in sweet communion,
“You reeeived the bread and wine ;
“Thea your faith endeared the union.
“Now your tears bedew his shrine.”
We have in this discourse given you the character of
a godly, faithful man, by which you are to try yourselves.
You must possess this character, or you are unqualified
to come around the table of the Lord. Examine and
try yourselves by the word, that you may this day eat
and drink discerning the Lord’s body.
We have before us the sad effects of the fall, of that
ruin which came by the transgression of the first Adam.
16
Hear the sentence denounced—“Dust thou art, and unto
dust thou shalt return.” *
We have also in these symbols, the bread and wine,
exhibited unto us the dying love of the second Adam....
He gave his life a ransom for many. He has become a
conqueror of the grave. We now hear him say to his
beloved, “Because I live ye shall live also.” AM E.N.