Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Postmarked May 18, 1911

Above:  Both Sides of the Original Document

Images Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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EDITOR’S NOTES:

1.  The hymnal in question, I think, is The Methodist Hymnal (1905).

2.  I prefer Episcopal funerals, for the ritual focuses on celebrating life.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MARCH 17, 2014 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ARMAGH

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Isa. 38, 1

1.  It is certain we all must die, sooner or later.

2.  None of us has any time to lose.  God gives us our time for this one work.

3.  The important thing is to live well, then we will die well.  But how careless many of us are.

4.  Let us be wise while life lasts to make preparation for the great beyond.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The First Page of the Original Copy

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Long has been thy toilsome journey,

O thou veteran of the cross.

Bravely thou hast borne thy burdens,

Murm’ring not at pain or loss,

Whene’er these have been thy portion;

But in faith calm and serene

Thou hast looked beyond the earthly,

Into glories yet unseen.

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And now, O brave Christian soldier,

Upon this, thy natal day,

Hosts of souls whom thou hast rescued

Lift their hearts to God and pray–

“Bless, oh, bless him, Heavenly Father,

And his every need supply;

Many years yet may he linger

E’er he goes to dwell on high,

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“For we need his saintly presence;

Need to hear his shepherd-voice

Speaking unto us thy message,

Bidding penitents rejoice.

When for him swing wide the portal,

And before Thy judgment seat

He, with all the sheaves he’s garnered,

Stands in Christ our Lord complete,

Hears Thee bid him, ‘Welcome! Welcome!’

As his crown of life is given,

Grant that we his steps may follow,

Let us all meet him in heaven.”

NELLIE SEGUIN FOX BARRETT

Above:  Part of the Original Text

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Acts 2, 24

1 Cor. 15, 57

1 Jno. 5, 4

I.

The death & resurrection of Jesus were in God’s plan.  That he should die for man was necessary to salvation & God willed it.  But to consumate that plan he must live to carry it on.

II.

Hence God raised him up.  It was part of the plan & due to God’s direct intervention.  Acts 3, 15; Rom. 4, 24; 2 Cor. 4, 14; Eph. 1, 20; Col. 2, 12b; 1 Thes. 1. 10; Heb. 13, 20; 1 Peter 1, 21; & text = 10 times it is affirmed.

He was not to be [the] loser in the struggle but victor.  Life is stronger than death.  He submitted to it only to redeem us.  He arose no longer subject to death.  Death was vanquished by him; it is subject to his power.  “Have the keys to death.”–Rev. 1, 18

III.

He lives to give us victory over sin.  By his grace we may resist the devil, “overcome” him.  “He is able to succour them what they are tempted.”  Heb. 2, 18  “To him that overcometh.”  The plan of salvation wrought out by Christ is no failure.  The “gospel is the power of God unto salvation,” see Jude 24.

IV.  

He will give us victory over death.  We too, shall have our Easter morning–Jno. 5, 28.  “All that are in the grace shall come forth.”

Our resurrection body is to be fashioned after his, a spiritual body–Phils. 3, 21.

Redemption is completed in our resurrection and glorification.

Victory!!  “Death is swallowed up in victory”–1 Cor. 15, 54.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Gray Robe of Twilight (Between 1900 and 1912), by Charles Melville Dewey (1849-1937)

Publisher and Copyright Claimant = Detroit Publishing Company

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994023344/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-D416-29865

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As twilight draws her dusky curtain

In silence o’er the earth;

As stars their twinkling rays and daw

With sparkling lights of mirth,

Mankind is drawn in restful silence.

To homes of peace and love,

Where thoughts of each are giv’n full-play

From soil–to heav’n above.

The children soon are all at rest

Content with joy and fun;

The working folk are happy, too,

I know their task’s well-done.

Others in the dusk of life,

Begin anew to think

Of what this life has been to them,

For now they’re at Death’s brink.

From East and West, from North to South,

As twilight falls around,

Man’s thoughts are ever turned to God

Who made the earth, silence, and sound.

RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT

AUGUST 20, 1932 COMMON ERA

Above:  Our Martyrs at Heaven’s Gate, 1881

President Abraham Lincoln greets President James A. Garfield.

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003672962/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-pga-02234

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Jno. 14, 2-3

1.  Jesus goes away to prepare a place for them.  He came from heaven in their behalf; now he returns to serve them further.  The odds are against their highest enjoyment here; hence he seeks an abode free from all hindrance.

2.  But he will come to them and help them.  The Holy Spirit did come to counsel and help them, that they may prepare for higher things.  Finally he will come to take them to himself.

3.  They are to be with him where he is.  They loved him and followed him here and he wants them to be with him there to behold his glory.  He prayed for this.  Immortal bliss awaits all his children in his gracious abode, the house of many mansions.

4.  Hence death is but the door of entrance to higher, holier things.  He arched the door with bow of hope and planted there most fragrant flowers.

Where he is is heaven to dwell with him and the good of all ages.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Whirlpool Rapids

Copyright Claimant = Detroit Publishing Co.

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994003455/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-D4-4069 B

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Rom. 6, 23

1.  He that worketh receiveth wages.  Every course of conduct brings its return.  “Whatsoever one soweth that shall he reap.”

2.  Who yields himself to sin becomes thereby the bondslave of sin.  Rom. 6, 16

The power of Satan masters him and he pays a daily wage as he himself wills.

3.  The wages of sin is death:

(1)  Death of the body is the the result of sin.  Violent deaths increase.  Bloody & deceitful men shall not live out half their days.  Ps. 55, 23

(2)  Death of character–becoming finally a worthless being, insensible of all good.

(3)  Of sensibility of sin.  The first oath brought the blush quickly, but later one swear before anyone without shame.

(4)  Of the power of resistance.  God and friends cry stop; but sin puts one where he can’t stop.  The current in the rapids catches him and hurls him over the precipice and all is lost.

5.  Of the soul.  To sink into eternal night and suffer forever the pains of an unending ruin.  Eternal punishment where there is the weeping and the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.

Will you not stop now?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Rom. 8, 28

1.  “For good.”  To be drawn nearer to Him, to become more like Him, to learn to love Him and trust Him more certainly is good.  Whatever furthers us in things divine is good.  We here look at results, not so much at process.

2.  “To those that love him.”  Those who trust and obey and submit to His will.  Important to fix this in our minds.  Not to those who rebel.

3.  “Work…for good.”  This is His will, His desire.  He seeks to accomplish it in us.

(1)  Temptations test our strength and give occasion to exercise it.  He gives added grace for every greater need.

(2)  In afflictions He will comfort us as we look to Him.  Thus the heart is softened and one learns to trust Him more.  “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.”  As our loved ones pass on before heaven becomes more real and dear to us.

(3)  Prosperity will, as we love Him, make us more grateful.  His goodness will inspire us to love Him more.

4.  Sometime we will understand that all has helped us toward our eternal home.  We are so much concerned with the process now [that] we may not see it till later; but after a while He will make it plain.  Then let us trust and obey. Be the way never so [illegible word].

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  A Cemetery, Between 1904 and 1920

Photograph Created by the Detroit Publishing Co.

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/det1994002361/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-D4-25 X

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

It is certain that St. Paul the Apostle did not write 2 Timothy.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 29, 2013 COMMON ERA

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2 Tim. 4, 8 & 18 (Revised Version of 1881)

1.  Paul, at the end of his pilgrimage, looks with confidence to the future.  He had lived well and now trusts God for the beyond.  He stands not aghast; is confident.

2.  He will live beyond the grave.

(1)  God’s word assures us of heaven and a fuller, happier life.  Jesus is there and he is our humanity.  “In my flesh shall I see God.”  Lazarus and Dives are conscious beyond the grave.

(2)  Man’s life on the moral basis suggests more than life here.

(3)  Man’s influence dies not with him.  When the horse dies he is dead; man lives on in the influence he still has over others.

(4)  Living and dying he is conscious of a future.  The body totters, the mind is young and reaches out after God.  Christ spoke of his “exodus.”

3.  The reward for conduct here awaits him there–“a crown of righteousness”–the results of right living–heaven’s eternal joys.  “And for all that love his appearing.”

4.  To the righteous dying is but going home–“Safe at home forever,/And that’s enough for me!”

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Harvesting Grain

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2004006426/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-matpc-06349

Jno. 12, 24-5

These Gentiles a first-fruit.  “The hour is come.  Hence he would come into his glory, but by death.  To prepare them for it he speaks the text.

I.  His vital power reached its true worth or influence over men through his death.

1.  Two uses of the grain (a) eat it or leave it alone or (b) plant it.

2.  So with life (a) live for self only; or (b) live for others.

(a)  Selfish men are soon forgotten.

(b)  They live not in a Godly influence.

(c)  Selfishness is sin.  “Who hath this world’s goods, etc.–Jno.”  “Deny himself.”

3.  Hence Christ lived for others.  His death necessary to man’s redemption.  Men value his live through his death.  His death & resurrection are his power over men.

II.  His power through death begets similar lives.

The grain that dies grows the harvest.  Out of his death arises life-giving power.  Hence the church–his body.

We save our lives by losing them in service to others.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT