Memorial Tributes

imperfections of our common nature, good sense and knowledge of human nature have been elevated and consecrated by grace.

There are many ministers, who, like the present writer, have been censured for statements made over the dead when they carefully guarded their testimony and avowedly confined it to the record of their own intercourse with the deceased; and some, who have had "hearers" take their departure because enough was not said in eulogy of their buried kindred. Such things must probably be expected in the complications of a society, partly Christianized, and largely influenced by conventional usage. A true minister can only try to maintain in himself a conscience void of offence, and at the same time avoid the giving of just offence to others.

The Rev. Dr. Sanderson, in undertaking to aid young ministers, has two elements of encouragement in the attempt. The first is that he has been himself an active pastor, and understands the work to be done. The second is, that not wholly relying on his own judgment, he avails himself of the labors of others, who have secured the confidence of the Christian community.

In commending his undertaking I may be permitted to reproduce words long ago intended to warn against excessive and indiscriminate praise, and which the observation of later years has not tended to weaken, but rather confirmed.

Suppose Herod Antipas had died six months before John the Baptist was beheaded. Imagine a court

preacher of the day making the funeral address. There is no evidence that the Jews had at that time any servicebook or anything to read in the synagogue except the Old Testament. So he must make his funeral service according to the circumstances. He would, of course, glance lightly at that infelicity of the royal departed which complicated his domestic life by making him the husband of his niece, who was also his living brother's wife, and in the room of his living wife. "There are, however, happily other and brighter spots on which the memory would love to linger. He had shown the deepest interest in that great revival preacher who had, as all knew, stirred the hearts of thousands. He had heard him often, and been deeply impressed. He had even opened. his house to him. He gave the influence of his great name and authority to him, so that the courtiers, as they all knew, had been also attracted and interested. Not only that, but the distinguished dead had proved the depth and sincerity of his convictions by doing many things recommended by the eloquent preacher. How can we, in view of all these evidences of pleasure and profit from such ministrations, doubt that this child of an Idumean family has gone to be with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?" Unfortunately, however, Herod lived too long, and his having a place in history is mainly due to the circumstance that he ordered the beheading of this "interesting" and eloquent preacher without the formality of a trial, and from being a patronizing and interested hearer becomes the Baptist's murderer.

It is one thing to like a stirring sermon now

and then, the reality of which is a pleasant variety among the shallow and painted frauds of the theatre, and opera, and even fashionable social life, and it is quite another to believe with the heart what is said. It is ene thing to be on good terms with the prominent men in the church, and so conciliate their followers, now and then to give a subscription, perhaps even forego a dinner-party to preside at a benevolent meeting; and it is quite another to submit one's self to God in faith and obedience. It is one thing to respect devoted men, and even publicly compliment them as sincere and so forth, and quite another to put lusts and passions under the control of the truth they teach, and to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. But to rich and poor, high and low, this is the divine requirement; and we must be sparing of our eulogies over men, as Christians, however prominent or public-spirited as citizens, if they have never given evidence of subjection to the Father of spirits. Happily we are not the judge of men's standing before God; but we may make ourselves such, and rest favorable judgments on very slender evidences.

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