Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep. From which none ever wakes to weep:
A calm and undisturbed repose, unbroken by the last of foes.
Asleep in Jesus! Oh! how sweet, to be for such a slumber meet:
With holy confidence to sing, that death has lost his venom’d sting!
Asleep in Jesus! peaceful rest, whose waking is supremely blest!
No fear, no woe shall dim that hour, that manifests the Saviour’s power.
Asleep in Jesus! Oh! for One, may such a blissful refuge be!
Securely shall my ashes lie, waiting the summons from on high.
Asleep in Jesus! time nor space, debars this precious hiding-place:
On Indian plains, or Lapland snows, believers find the same repose.
Asleep in Jesus! far from thee, thy kindred and their graves may be.
But thine is still a blessed sleep, from which none ever wakes to weep!
(The above is written on a tombstone in Devonshire.)
Mr. John Morrison, Elder, Halkirk.
By the death, last April, of Mr. John Morrison, Elder (Braal, formerly of Harpsdale), the congregation of Halkirk lost a worthy and highly-respected office-bearer. It is written of the seed sown that it bringeth forth “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” This was seen in the life of the deceased; for such “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
He could say, “I was alive without the law once: but when the Commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” The worldly delusive religion which glories in self, and is void of a living faith, is dreaded by a regenerated soul. Not what man does, but what Christ did is the ground of acceptance with God. They cry, “say unto my soul I am thy salvation.”
For many years John Morrison lovingly performed the duties of his office, and also acted as Congregational Treasurer. His walk was in keeping with his profession, and his placid, kindly disposition endeared him to the congregation and others. He spent the 81 years of his life in his native parish, and his diligence in attending the house of God on Sabbath and weekday, was a witnessing against those who act otherwise. His wife predeceased him, but he was tenderly cared for by his daughter and sons.
In prayer he very frequently quoted, concerning the Redeemer the words uttered by the people in the case of the blind and dumb man who received sight and speech, “He hath done all things well.” We believe he can now say, this is the best of the all things he has done for me—taken me to be with Himself for evermore.
The end came peacefully. To the bereaved family—not forgetting his son now on a far off battlefield—we tender our sympathy, reminding them that grace is not hereditary, but seeking souls shall find.
W. G.