Alice Ellison (Mama) Funeral
THE LAST STEP WE TAKE
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.—1 Samuel 20:3
1. IT IS A CERTAIN STEP
All must take it. Settle us in the finest spot in the most beautiful garden; let the fairest skies smile upon us, and the clearest streams wander by us; let us spend our time watching the flowers in spring, and listening to the bird’s song; yet, even then, that step would appear before us: even then death would find us.
2. IT IS AN UNCERTAIN STEP
When we must take it we cannot tell. It may be tonight; it may be next week, or next year, or not for many years. When, we do not know. Where we must take it, is altogether hidden from us. It may be in the street or by the way; it may be in the house, or far away from friends and home. Where, is unknown to us.
3. IT IS A FINAL STEP
It is final because it puts an end to human distinctions. King and subject, prince and peasant, master and servant. It puts an end to the present character of human duties. The duties of parents and children, etc.
4. IT IS A PARTING STEP
It parts us from this world of matter. We must bid farewell to flower and star. It parts us from friends near and dear to us. It parts us from ourselves. That tender union that subsists between soul and body is rudely torn asunder; that body we have looked at so long, nourished and cherished so long, is left behind us when that step is taken.
5. IT IS A SOLITARY STEP
It is but one. Death is a lonely thing. We must take it all alone without friends. Unfortunately, some take it all alone without God!
6. IT IS A SOLEMN STEP
The step of birth is solemn. “It is an awful thing to be born,” said one man, “because we have got into existence, and can never get out of it.” The step of prayer is solemn. To bow in prayer before the throne of Him
“Who holds the universe
Like a little fading flower,
That is worn upon His
Garment for a little hour.”
is surely solemn. No less solemn is the step of death, for it conducts us either downward into an unalterable and eternal hell, or upward into an unalterable and eternal heaven?
Prepare for taking this step. We should all desire to get to heaven at last. Then let us not forget that unless we repent and believe in Christ, except we are born again, all our cherished hopes of heaven will vanish like a vision, and leave nothing before us but the blackness of darkness forever.
IT IS A CERTAIN STEP
All must take it. Settle us in the finest spot in the most beautiful garden; let the fairest skies smile upon us, and the clearest streams wander by us; let us spend our time watching the flowers in spring, and listening to the bird’s song; yet, even then, that step would appear before us: even then death would find us.
IT IS AN UNCERTAIN STEP
When we must take it we cannot tell. It may be tonight; it may be next week, or next year, or not for many years. When, we do not know. Where we must take it, is altogether hidden from us. It may be in the street or by the way; it may be in the house, or far away from friends and home. Where, is unknown to us.
IT IS A FINAL STEP
It is final because it puts an end to human distinctions. King and subject, prince and peasant, master and servant. It puts an end to the present character of human duties. The duties of parents and children, etc
IT IS A PARTING STEP
It parts us from this world of matter. We must bid farewell to flower and star. It parts us from friends near and dear to us. It parts us from ourselves. That tender union that subsists between soul and body is rudely torn asunder; that body we have looked at so long, nourished and cherished so long, is left behind us when that step is taken.
IT IS A SOLITARY STEP
It is but one. Death is a lonely thing. We must take it all alone without friends. Unfortunately, some take it all alone without God!
IT IS A SOLEMN STEP
The step of birth is solemn. “It is an awful thing to be born,” said one man, “because we have got into existence, and can never get out of it.” The step of prayer is solemn. To bow in prayer before the throne of Him
“Who holds the universe
Like a little fading flower,
That is worn upon His
Garment for a little hour.”
is surely solemn. No less solemn is the step of death, for it conducts us either downward into an unalterable and eternal hell, or upward into an unalterable and eternal heaven?
CONCLUSION
Prepare for taking this step. We should all desire to get to heaven at last. Then let us not forget that unless we repent and believe in Christ, except we are born again, all our cherished hopes of heaven will vanish like a vision, and leave nothing before us but the blackness of darkness forever.