The Effects of Death Upon the Living

Our scene opens upon two young men conversing together. One is of very earnest and animated countenance, with a manly bearing and the stamp of virtue upon his face; the other is of a manner more carefree and inclined to enjoy the youthful pleasures of life without considering the more sober, but necessary elements. We come upon Joseph, the former, speaking sincerely upon the matter of death.


“The voice of a dying man seems to be more readily hearkened to than that of his lusty neighbours. Perhaps this is on account that death strips away vanity from his thoughts, and he is given new eyes to shun that which is of no account in the ever-approaching light of the world to come. Death! How it banishes the thoughts of vain pleasures and the care for esteem of men. For who so foolish as  to seek the acclaim of masses when his soul is quickly departing to the Presence of the One before whom the opinions and esteem of men hold no weight?”

Joseph paused his elaborations. Charles rested a firm chin in his hand and gazed across the fielded meadows and hills below. “But,” he answered, “I have known men to die in very different states than such as you have described. Why, John Cosper not a year ago, with the knowledge of his impending death, spent his last days carousing and drinking until he was laid so low that he was unable to rise from his bed, and even then kept up his profane speech.”

“This,” said Joseph with a smile mingled with sadness, “is too often a manifestation of the effects of death upon the unconverted soul. They cannot bear the agony of their spirits which should surely attend them should they allow themselves one moment’s solemn reflection. So, to quench such uncomfortable thoughts from their minds, they throw themselves into as much distraction and gratification as they can. Indeed, I have known men who are not faced with death to behave so. It is not uncommon— no, for it is the very nature of every man to have a void in his soul which clamours to be filled. And only one thing can fill it!”

Joseph rose to his feet and walked about excitedly. “Only one thing can satisfy the deepest want that lies in the bosom of every man since Adam. And that thing is the Lord Jesus.”
“I knew it would come back to that,” said Charley whimsically. “You always manage to cram a great deal of religion into your lectures, Joseph.”

Joseph was not swayed by the carelessness of his companion. “Death is said to be man’s enemy, but I cannot help but think that the Lord has also given him the touch of a friend. For, though many men reject his calling, he bids them to take a close inspection of their lives and see whether they will pass muster on the final day. Death sometimes merely passes the door of a man, giving him a good shaking-up before passing on, which gives a renewed view of life, its brevity, and the importance of seeking those things which hold eternal value.”

“It’s all very well for you to speak so,” returned Charley, “but I have no thoughts so morbid as those which you seem to find pleasant companions. The way you talk, one would think that you derive pleasure from an evening at the grave-yard, among the foreboding stones.”
“As well I do, after a fashion,” replied Joseph, smiling. “I have often improved an idle hour by taking my books to the quiet solitude of gravesides to reflect upon the brevity of life and to prepare my soul for the life to come. It is not an unwholesome practice as it might seem, Charley. Oh, it could be rendered so by such modern thinkers as regard death with a sort of worship, considering those things that are manifestations of the Fall and sin as worthy of much contemplation and study. They are lacking the very element that makes such reflections profitable- and that is looking always upward to the Cross of our Savior and King. All studies must ultimately point there. If they do not, no matter how highly regarded, they are worthless and destructive. The light of the Cross alone gives wisdom, and no scholar or university can profess to know anything apart from it.”

Proverbs 31

 This post is copied with permission from another blog:

 We all know Proverbs 31 is the example for Christian women to emulate.  So, herein I intend to break it up in smaller bits to be better evaluated.

 Here I intend to put together a "check list" of sorts, so we can evaluate just how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go.
 To label specifics so to speak, so we can better focus on improvement in certain areas.

 Proverbs 31:10-31

1) - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
 The goal is to be virtuous. The question to ask is, Am I virtuous?

2) - The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
 Now, most of us are not married yet, so we tend to think the Proverbs 31 is not for us until then. Wrong.
 The goal here is to be honorable so that our husband (now, or in future) can safely trust in us.
 Am I honorable?

3) - She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
 Am I doing good? or am I not really caring about the outcome of my actions?

4) - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
 Am I working willingly? Do I work at whatever task comes my way, and doing it willingly? Am I willing to try new things for the good of others?

5) - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
 Do I feed my family properly?
 Am I looking out for their health?

6) - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
 Am I willing to be up all night, or get up early... essentially to give up sleep in service to others?

7) - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
 Am I creating a home industry that will support my family?

8) - She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
 Am I keeping in good enough health to be of use?

9) - She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
 Am I making quality things, putting effort into them to make them good enough? Or am I slapping it together to save time?
 Am I willing to work long hours to support my family?
 Am I willing to keep my home open to any who are in need? Keeping an hospitable light shining?

10) - She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
 Am I skilled in the necessary things to clothe my family properly? and to make the things they need?

11) - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
 Am I willing to her whoever God sends my way, regardless of rank, social standing, cleanliness.... or whatever?
 Do I reach out to the needy, and meet them where they are at?
 Do I love others unconditionally?

12) - She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
 (A different twist here) Am I fearing things other than God?
 Am I looking to make thing comfortable for my family?

13) - She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;her clothing is silk and purple.
 Am I taking care of how I, myself dress?
 Am I being certain it is modest and covering, enough to not cause others to stumble?
 Or am I settling for second best, and not really caring how I represent my Lord?

14) - Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
 Am I backing my God given authority in his endeavors?
 Am I being supportive of him, and giving him a good name?

15) - She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
 Again; am I being industrious and helping to provide for my family?
 Am I being productive and therein making the world better for others?

16) - Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
 Am I clothing myself with strength in the Lord?
 Am I bringing honor to my God and husband/father?

17) - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
 Am I watching everything I say, and being certain I say only good things?
 Am I being kind in what I say?
 Is what I'm about to say wise? or is it better left unsaid?

18) - She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
 Am I making sure my home runs smoothly, and keeping busy about my work spreading the love of Christ?

19) - Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
 Am I (going to be) raising my children to love and respect their elders?
 Am I being a good influence on them, or the children of others?

20) - Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
 Rather than thinking - I'm doing better than others... - am I following the highest standard to the best of my ability, caring nothing for this world; but striving to be like my Lord?

21) - Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
 Am I fearing only God, and striving to be like Christ, rather than getting caught up in the vain favor of the world?
 Or am I trying to be pretty, and gain the favor of men rather than God?

22) - Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
 If the works of my hands could be known to all around, would they bring me shame? or would they be praiseworthy?

 Now that it is divided out, and broken up as a task list, we can see exactly what we have left to do, and can therefore focus our efforts on those things a bit better.

 How are you doing on the list? Are you surprised at how much you do have of it? or are you disappointed at how much you don't have? (no need to answer this here, you are to ask yourself this question)

 You see, filling the role of a woman is far from boring. There is so much we as women are to do. Why do we compete with the men for their role, when there is so much for us to do?

 I'm certain you wouldn't "translate" some of it the way I did... but you get the idea of what I mean.

Advance to the Battle

The Kingdom Advance is a page meant to - 

Educate: Proverbs 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 

 Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 

 Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Encourage: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

 To do as they Israel did in Judges 20:22

 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

 As David did in 1 Samuel 30:6

....but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

And

Strengthen God's people for the battle: Isaiah 35:3

 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

1 Samuel 23:16

 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

Job 4:3-4

 Behold thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Psalm 27:14

 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

 1 Timothy 6:12

  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.