Essay 41 ( 8-31-04)

THE LAST HOURS OF A HARVARD PROFESSOR

You will forgive me for not knowing his first name. All I have ever heard is "Professor Stewart." I suppose I could write the archivist at Harvard and find out his full name, but for our purposes it does not matter. When I was at Harvard I came upon one of Campbell’s books in the library inscribed "To Professor Stuart from A. Campbell, along with his other writings." I don’t know how much they may have corresponded, but it is evident that Campbell greatly admired him.

When Professor Stuart died in 1852, Campbell published part of the funeral discourse given by a Professor Parke titled "Last Hours of Professor Stuart." I found it so interesting and uplifting that I thought I would share it with you. One can see why Campbell highly regarded him.

The old professor must have had an inordinate love for the Bible. Prof. Parks revealed at the funeral: "Once when he made a certain discovery of a fact in Biblical interpretation, he could not sleep for more than thirty-six hours." His solace was in the Word of God, Parke went on to say, and that at his death the professor had at hand a three-year plan for further exposition of Scripture. He never tired of it; it was his meditation all the night.

As life on earth neared its end, Stuart was asked if he had any doubts about the Biblical principles he had taught all those years. The answer was an unequivocal No, and he went on to say something that would especially please Campbell, "I have long since believed that feelings in religious experience are deceptive." Both men believed that faith and hope are based upon testimony – the revelation of God through his apostles and prophets. Feelings are to find their assurance in the facts of God’s disclosure in Scripture – what God has said and done.

As afflictions and pains came upon the aging professor, he could be heard repeating the words of Job 7:3, "Wearisome days and nights thou has appointed unto me." In his long years of study he had not neglected death. His eulogist said that he had thought of death long and hard – it was never more than a Sabbath-journey away – and when it finally came he was ready for it.

This impresses me as especially appropriate for the Christian. We err in giving more thought to retirement – or to planning a vacation -- than we do to death. And yet death is the most important thing we do in life, and the one thing we are sure to do! I try to correct this in my own life not only by pondering the reality of death and praying about it, but in talking about it. I remind my dear Ouida that death is part of life and part of God’s plan for us. So, when "death do us part" it will be painful, but it is OK – it is in fact our victory. I tell her sometimes when she drops me off at the airport – as she has done all these years – that death will be like that. I will just fly away – only that time I will not come back. But it will not be the end of life – it will be the beginning of life!

I once told a father who had lost his little girl, "Think of her as being in a faraway country – such as Australia – very much alive and having a ball, and in the care of Someone who loves her even more than yourself, and who can do much more for her." I added, "She may be grown by the time you see her, but you’ll recognize her and she you.’

This must be what Professor Stuart had in mind when he said – upon realizing that his demise was near – that his "last sickness would be unto life, and not unto death." I love that! We are ill now and again through life, but our last sickness will be unto life! "Unto the glory of God, but unto death. I am prepared to die," said the professor. While a storm raged around his dwelling the night he died, he was in a peaceful repose. His life had been that way – storms often without, peace within. When tragedy and affliction came into his life, he had a way of saying, "Now is life less sweet and death less bitter."

The eulogist had a word for the widow at the funeral. She could thank God that she was able to alleviate the cares of one who had helped prepare so many missionaries of the Cross, and to help them translate the Bible for the untutored Indian and the learned Brahmin. She could take heart that she managed a home from which light has radiated from it to the banks of Ilisus and the Euphrates.

And he had a word for the children. They were to remember that their father had many spiritual children who are scattered throughout the world, from the prairies of Wisconsin to the shores of the Bosphorus. These "other" children of his – in Canton, Ceylon, and Jerusalem – will feel that they too have lost a father. Let them honor him by remembering his own words, "When I behold the glory of the Savior, as revealed in the gospel, I am constrained to cry out with the believing apostle, My Lord and my God! And when my departing spirit shall quit these mortal scenes, and wing its way to the world unknown, with my latest breath I desire to pray, as the expiring martyr did, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

The dying professor was also quoted as saying, "I ask for no other privilege on earth but to make known the efficacy of His death; and none in heaven, but to be associated with those who ascribe salvation to his blood."

Well, if this short essay does nothing more, it will serve to surprise you – at least some of you. You would not have supposed that there was ever at Harvard a professor with such religious faith! Never sell short the Spirit of God. Who knows, there may well be professors in Abilene and Nashville – even in Cincinnati – who have such faith!

Personal Notes

I have begun a 9-part series on the study of Philippians on Wednesday nights at 7:00 at the Garden Ridge Church of Christ in Lewisville, near our home. It goes through September. We invite those in the area to join us. It is really a study on how to interpret the Scriptures by involvement, imagination, and absorption, making use of modern biblical research. We read the exciting little letter over and over, asking ourselves different questions each time. I call the series "A Colony of Heaven in a Colony of Rome."

While we are phasing out our book business, we will continue to handle a few special titles which you may purchase from us. You may order any or all of these from us at 1300 Woodlake Dr., Denton, TX. Send a check with your order. The prices include postage.

Unvealing Glory by Jeff Childers and Fred Aquino, a new title published by ACU Press that points to the meaning of Christ in our lives today. $16.00

Renewing God’s People by Gary Hollaway and Doug Foster, published by ACU Press, an ideal short history of the Restoration Movement in general and the Churches of Christ in particular. $16.00

The Stone-Campbell Movement: The Story of the American Restoration Movement (Revised Edition, 1994) by Leroy Garrett. A 573-page study that covers background, key players, principles of unity, union of Stone and Campbell movements, the divisions, the three churches of the Movement, with special emphasis on role of Alexander Campbell. $37.00

A Lover’s Quarrel: My Pilgrimage of Freedom in Churches of Christ, an autobiography by Leroy Garrett, also by ACU Press. $14.95

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