2nd. Submission to God’s will. Be still and know that I am God, and this not of necessity, because we _must_ submit, but pray and labour that though sorrowful we may yet be rejoicing, since we sorrow not as those without hope, that this affliction may produce a lasting blessing. Thus Eli submitted when the message from the Lord declared such heavy tidings against him and against his family, saying, “It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.” And thus holy Job, when his property was lost, all his children taken, and his body afflicted with sore boils, from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, and his very wife urging him to curse God and die—“Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” 3rd. Encouragement. We remember the gifts and graces of our departed friend; but from whence were they derived? What made him what he was? The Lord. And who supported him all his journey through life? It was the same God. He found the grace of God sufficient for him, and the feeling of his heart at all times was, “not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name be the glory.” The God who called, guided, supported, and blessed our departed friend, is still the same. His arm is not shortened, nor his ear heavy, and His direction to us is, ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. We may therefore derive also 4th. Comfort. Doubtless our friend hath entered into the presence of the Lord, and the meanest redeemed sinner will sing a louder song of triumph than the highest archangel. Angels have never tasted of pardoning grace and redeeming love. Did you love your minister? Then thank God that he is released from all sorrow and trial. Thank God for what he has promised, that, having preserved your minister to the end, He will, if you seek Him, also preserve you. My reverend brethren, in this bereavement, there is a message from God sent to us, as watchmen of the House of Israel. One is taken from our midst, and we are left exposed to peculiar trials and temptations. Our brother was the same, and he continued faithful to the end. And what was his strength and comfort? It was Christ. Oh let us beware of preaching anything but Christ crucified, as “the way, the truth, and the life” for perishing sinners. The more we seek and exalt Him, the more shall we feel in our happy experience, “Christ all and in all.”