The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. But the point is this. Until one has personally experienced the loss of a loved one, one can not understand the feelings about the death both positive and negative. COFFIN: No. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. Heres how Coffin explained how he managed to write and deliver this eulogy so soon after his sons death (from an interview with Bill Moyers): COFFIN: Well. All too often we speak when we should be listening Nationalism at the expense of another nation, is just as wicked as racism at the expense of another race. And ne'er a word said she; "A spiritual person tries less to be godly than to be deeply . Runners whom renown outran After the death of his wife, C.S. The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sisters house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. As the . I think in the end they pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves. He liked it here. My dad, who became a doctor, has a weathered copy of Alexs Death which he has xeroxed on many occasions to give to friends and colleagues experiencing loss. In my email signature, I have this quote by him: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.. More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! Eyes the shady night has shut Man and boy stood cheering by, They said it was god's will, that she is in heaven now and they moved on without the tearjerking remorse many who call them true believers in a faith feel. The time you won your town the race http://dlvr.it/Ng3r8d. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex Ten days after his son, Alex, was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered this sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. That's why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, "Your brokenhearted sister." Ill say you dont, lady! I said. It is self-interest. Sometimes it has seemed that patriotism blocked any kind of criticism, that we were afraid if we spoke out against going to war or the policies after the Iraq war, that it would be considered disloyal to the troops and our country. 00:00 $ 75.00 Sermons from Riverside Church 1982 I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. That clarifies the sight This is the sixth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Smart lad, to slip betimes away One of the most powerful statements in this sermon was the following: The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your mind's A different man named Alex Hamilton who was a British broadcaster used the saying in 1978. Among the healing flood of letters that followed his death was one carrying this wonderful quote from the end of Hemingways A Farewell to Arms: The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.. During WWII, Coffin joined the army and later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Korean War. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Yes, but at least, My God, my God; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesnt end that way. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. #Power Of Love #Truth #Love. A formula, A phrase remains.but the best is lost. This is amazing. But oh, the things I learned from her So if you want to know where God is in this or in anything, look for love., Your email address will not be published. ABERNETHY: Coffin became the leader of the U.S. campaign against nuclear weapons. ABERNETHY: I spoke with Coffin about growing old. When sorrow walked with me. But when children die, they take away the future as well. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?. Online shopping from a great selection at Books Store. Just click the play button. Cars skid out of control on icy roads, healthy cells are consumed by cancerous ones. I have a little sentence or two, about the Chinese Emperor who sent his wise man off for a month, to figure out, what is happiness? Itsjust one of those things I think is worth a read by all. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. It is self-interest. After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout William Sloane Coffin also wrote about this in his eulogy for his son, Alex, who was killed in a car accident at age 24. RN: What should the U.S. government do now? Welcome to the sermons and prayers download page. William Sloane Coffin gave what would be his final sermon at Chautauqua. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. While I could never presume to know the answer, I do take comfort in this passage from the author Kate Braestrup, which I wrote in my final post on this blog (below). Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death, Joan Halifax, Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs and Communicatoins of the Dying, How Can I Help? My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Download Sermon Scripture List(84 kb - PDF). It is incredible and very powerful. That's the puzzlement of it all. Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil . William Sloane Coffin. Q: Let me ask you to look back a little bit at some of the great movements you were part of. RN: What about the Educational system as it relates to democracy? --Robert Browning Hamilton. My own consolation lies in knowing that it was not the will of God that Alex die; that when the waves closed over the sinking car, God's heart was the first of all our hearts to break. Still there is much by way of consolation. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 Eulogy for Alex Ten days after his son, Alex, was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered this sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. The fact you find that puzzling makes me glad not to be in your family! Required fields are marked *. Q: Why do you think that is, in the country as a whole? The scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 Moral lassitude Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly August 27, 2004 Q: You have, in the course of your life, participated in a good many great causes and have done so with a lot of passion. William Sloane Coffin challenged the nation with his passionate calls for social justice. First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. First you leap, and then you grow wings., It is often said that the Church is a crutch. Theres such wisdom in these words that Ive found it bears re-reading from time to time. When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, I just dont understand the will of God. Instantly I was up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her. God gave man dominion over the world at the beginning - and free will - and man so man has had the responsibility for his conduct since then, and for infecting all of creation with his sin. The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" I know all the right biblical passages, including Blessed are those who mourn, and my faith is no house of rest, came from fellow reverends, a few of whom proved they knew their cards; these passages are true, I know. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. (Lord Byron). Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. I know, but I do not approve, and I am not resigned. That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. They are gone. Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment.". Q: Your faith and the nature of God and God's love -- what is the bedrock there for you? But its a fact: few of us are naturally profound. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful, listening silence. William Sloane Coffin. Kate Braestrups book is beautiful, and I highly recommend it to all who are seeking answers. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. The reality of grief is the absence of God My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your minds a blank, that there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away. (Lord Byron). William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. The Rev William Sloane Coffin A radical preacher and antiwar activist, he took on the American establishment Christopher Reed Thu 13 Apr 2006 19.04 EDT The upbringing of William Sloane. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesnt go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. In the fascinating documentary movie Mondo Cane' which was released in 1962, among the strange and seemingly depraved (to Western eyes) behavior is one segment about old people in China who wait around in the upper floor of a house to die while their families are downstairs at a party celebrating their deaths. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1980-1981. Why are they unhappy if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they just feeling sorry for themselves? If we (me included) could only get a fraction of a grasp between the difference between time and eternity we would cling much less to time and be closer to God's perspective. God does not spill milk. Then, as I began to re-read it, I noticed that the guy's name is William Sloane Coffin. Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, RN: Why do you think most of the anti-war groups stopped their marches in 2004 and became quiescent compared to 2003? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. by Rev. No matter where they're going or what they're going to experience, the primary reason people mourn a death is because they know they'll miss the person who died and won't see them again. Read more. But I do not approve. I walked a mile with Sorrow And neer a word said she; But the things I learned from her But oh, the things I learned from her When sorrow walked with me. The older I get, the more I accept that death is the inevitable consequence of life, why can't believers? Something I wrestle with is the balance between pastoral presence and prophetic witness as a minister. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Than by a wick that stays. Unfortunately he left the building April 12th, 2006. I do hope that many will learn what not to say to a grieving loved one. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Tony Campolo retells an incident involving William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son, Alexander. He was a director, and later vice-president of W. & J. Sloane Company, his family's business, which was founded by his grandfather, William Sloane, from Kilmarnock, Scotland. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Rev. "Eulogy for Alex" by William Sloane Coffin I'm always puzzled at these Moslem women who wail like Banshees when their terrorist sons are killed as what they believe to be martyrs. Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. Gracious God, whose own Son's term of service to humanity was so full that its brevity was no distress, we call to mind on this Memorial Sunday those "who will not grow old as we who are left to grow old," those whose lives were too brief for us but long enough, perhaps, for thee. Practicing wholesale justice Interview with Bob Abernathy August 27, 204 The Rev. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. So what is the role of the university chaplain? The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sisters house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. And then, Im a preacher. What can be done to turn this public support into organized opposition? There's something in the flight When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, "I just don't understand the will of God." Contributions to support this project can always be made through PayPal (david@davidcoffin.com). So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. As the grief that once seemed unbearable begins to turn now to bearable sorrow, the truths in the right biblical passages are beginning, once again, to take hold: Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall strengthen thee; Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning; Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong; For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling; In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world; The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.. This reflects what that discomfort is and so nice to read it was written by a Reverend. And finally I know that when Alex beat me to the grave, the finish line was not Boston Harbor in the middle of the night. After the death of his wife, C.S. Editor's note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridge and was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. There are small accidents, like knocking over your milk at the dinner table. " William Sloan Coffin, who died yesterday at 81, was among the foremost pacifists of his generation, and set the mold for the liberal activist preacher ." Coffin, the model for Doonesbury's Reverend Sloan, was a Freedom Rider, Yale chaplain, champion for social justice and one of the most respected leaders of the anti-Vietnam war movement. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. 54 quotes from William Sloane Coffin: 'Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. Yale University's chaplain, the Rev. T he Rev. But the point is this. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. We have to be forced down. 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