Note | The Late Mr Alex. Stewart
The funeral of Mr Alexander Stewart, who died on the 28th ultimo, took place on Friday last, the cortège being an exceptionally large one, consisting of 65 buggies and 25 horsemen. The remains were interred in the Tatura cemetery. The Rev. Mr Chambers officiated at the grave, the funeral arrangements being in the hands of Mr G. Mundy, of Mooroopna.
Mr Alexander Stewart was born at Droughtague, Mochrum, Wigtownshire, and 30 years ago emigrated with his family to Australia. Mr Stewart was in occupation of Droughtague farm when he made up his mind to leave for the Antipedes. He settled with his family at Gowrie Park, adjoining Tatura, where a large measure of worldly prosperity attended him, and where he always continued to enjoy the same reputation for high integrity which he had had during his residence in his native land. Mrs Stewart still survives her husband and has reached the ripe age of 72 years. Mr Stewart attained the venerable age of 88.
The following is the conclusion of the sermon preached by the Rev A. Chambers, B.A., in the Presbyterian Church last Sunday, and which has reference to the demise of Mr Stewart:- My thoughts have been turned to the passage we have been considering (Rom. 8-38.) by an event in the past week, of which I shall be expected to make some mention. Mr Alexander Stewart, a member of this congregation, and an elder of the church has been summoned hence. He had reached the ripe age of 88 years when he was stricken, over a week ago with that epidemic which has been sweeping over the colonies, and over much of the inhabited earth, and which has carried away so many of the older people on whom it seized. But he was well prepared for the way he had to go, and many a time has he told me, respecting his decease, that he was waiting for it every day. Only a fortnight ago, when the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was celebrated in this place, and when he gave me his assistance in his capacity of elder, it was evident both to himself and me that we could not look with any certainty for further service from him, and we agreed that the church would require look out some other member to fill his place. And now, within the brief fortnight's space, he has gone from these scenes for ever, his venerable form will be seen in our assembly here no more, his grey head is in the dust, and his spirit is with the Lord in glory. This is not the place to mention the great and many kindnesses he has rendered myself but I may remind you of the claims he has on you for an honorable and. affectionate remembrance. The ground on which we meet to worship was his gift to the church: he was an elder and a liberal supporter of the church - since its commencement; as long as the infirmities of age permitted, he was a regular attendant on the ordinances here, and when he could not be present in body.. he was in spirit and in interest. It is a pleasure, while we mourn his removal, from us, to recall the manner. of man he was. Of his signal domestic virtues, as husband and father, we will not here speak; but of his general character we have to say, with, we are sure, the cordial concurrence of all who knew him, that he was a good man, a man of truth and righteousness, a. man of genial humanity and simple and sterling piety. He was marked by a Christian faith that was singularly beautiful by its transparent sincerity and childlike naturalness. He lived very near to God, and I may mention as indicative of his truly pious spirit, a habit of his, formed how many years ago I know not, and maintained till the very last. It was his custom, to rise at a very early hour every day, and to I retire to a certain quiet and sequestered spot in the bush, and there, beyond the reach of interruption, to hold long and close and sweet communion with his Father; God.. Of his end it would be an inadequate description to say that it was peace. It was victory. The day before his death, when he seemed scarcely able to articulate, and when certain precious passages of scripture were being repeated to him for his comfort, he took them into his own mouth and finished the utterance of them with strong clear, ringing expression. One of these passages was our text of' to day. On hearing the words "I am persuaded that neither death," he took I up the verse, and went through it with a. voice growing more distinct and powerful as he proceeded, in a very rapture of Christian assurance, 'neither death, nor life, nor angels; nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height. nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." As a witness of the triumph of his Christian faith in that momentous juncture, I could not but think of some whom such faith is neglected or contemned, and could not but wish that, for the lesson. They would have been taught, had they been by to hear and hear.
|