The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates defined beauty as that which is appropriate. This is a beautiful occasion because it is so appropriate. It is a homegoing celebration!This church has gathered, along with friends and family, to celebrate the homegoing of one of our own, a brother we have long loved and respected.

 

  We are not saying goodbye as much as we are saying "Until later." It is like accompanying one to the railway station. We may wait on the platform for a time for the train. At last we hear the whistle in the distance, and the train pulls into the station. Our friend steps on board and is gone, and we say – not goodbye – but "We’ll be on a later train." Homegoing time!

 

  I told Delwin the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, that young Lutheran pastor who was executed by the Nazis for being anti-Hitler. When they came to his cell that cold spring morning and told him he was wanted at the front office, the prisoners knew that meant the gallows. Dietrich said to a fellow inmate, "They may suppose this is the end, but for me it is the beginning."

 

  Delwin Williamson believed what Bonhoeffer believed, that death isn’t the end of life but the beginning, and that when we leave this world we’re not leaving home but going home. This world is not our home!

 

  A funeral is not only a time to celebrate homegoing, but a time for self-inventory as well. We too are going to die. None of us is long for this world. Are we ready to be accompanied to the railway station? And isn’t it true that the trains leave for different destinations?

 

  It may be unusual for an 86-year old like me to be giving the eulogy for an 85-year old friend. I turned 86 only last week, so Delwin was less than a year younger than I. I remember when we were young – only 70! Delwin had just had a birthday anniversary, so he had once more caught up with me. I recall quoting Scripture to him, "Threescore and ten are the years of a man’s life, and if by reason of strength fourscore." Then I said, "Delwin, we're 70, what do you make of that?" And he said, "I’ve had a good life, and I’m ready to go."

 

  "I’m ready to go." And that was fifteen years ago! He could have said that at 60 or 50 or 40. Delwin was always ready to go, and that was because he lived by that ideal set forth by the prophet Micah in a simple one-liner of what God requires -- "To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God."

 

  Justice -- doing what is right -- deeds of mercy, humility before God and man! That defines the life of Delwin Williamson.

 

  On one occasion during his long illness I thought I would buoy him up by recalling these virtues in his long life, and by assuring him that the Lord would reward him for his long years of service to others. I mentioned that anyone who raises five sons -- who were sometimes less than perfect! – to maturity and all meaningfully employed deserves some kind of crown!

 

  I recalled his many years as a university professor – first at Abilene Christian and then at the University of North Texas -- and sometimes at a sacrifice in salary. And he taught all those young people not only from the head but from the heart as well. With the same energy and dedication he served as an elder in the church.

 

  Then there was his work with Habitat for Humanity, building houses for the less fortunate. I recalled how he and Ruth were for many years foster parents, and how the sheriff would call at all hours of the night with another homeless child to be cared for, and how he might stay up half the night talking with a troubled teenager.

 

  Then there was his work with the Texas Child Welfare Board – some years as chair – an agency that comes to the aid of abused children.

 

  When I recounted this litany of good works to him, assuring him that he had a reward awaiting him in heaven, he insisted "That is not why I did those things – not for a reward." Then I said, "I know you weren’t doing it for a reward. It wasn’t a quid pro quo. That is why the Lord will reward you – because you weren’t doing it for a reward!"

 

  After all, didn’t Jesus say, "Inasmuch as you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me . . . Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

 

  During my visits with Delwin during his last days – when he was so weak he could hardly speak – we talked about death and hope – how death is related to hope. There is the assurance of Jesus himself, "Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Isn’t the Lord saying that we have to die in order to (really) live?

 

  And did he not promise that, "He who believes in me, even though he die, yet shall he live," and "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself"?

 

  And Delwin would whisper, "Yes, that’s what we believe!"

 

  And we talked about the apostle Paul’s hope, such as . "When I am absent from the body I am at home with the Lord," and "I have the desire to die and be with Christ," and "If we live, we live to the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord; so whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s."

 

  And my friend would say Yes!

 

  Then there is the testimony of the apostle Peter: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you."

 

  And Delwin would say, "Yes, that’s what we believe."

 

  Then there’s hope as revealed by the apostle John, who allows us to watch with him as he sees the heavens opened: "I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold the dwelling place of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people. God himself shall be with them and be their God."

 

  The apostle goes on to say, "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor weeping. There shall be no more pain."

 

  And my friend would whisper in quiet assurance, Yes, that’s what we believe.

 

  On one occasion when I was about to leave I could tell he wanted to say something to me. He could hardly say a word. I leaned close to him and asked, "Delwin, do you want to say something to me?" He nodded yes, and at last he said, "I love you."

 

  Why is it so difficult for us to say that? It says something about who we are when we can simply say, I love you. When Delwin said that, he wasn’t saying it only to me, but to us all – to all his friends, to his sisters and brothers in Christ, and certainly to his family.

 

  Byron, Greg, Tim, David, and Scott – his five sons – and his five daughters-in-law (who were really daughters), and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren, you have an impressive heritage in what your parents have bequeathed to you. I’ve been searching for the right word to describe it. Integrity is the word I come up with – Integrity bathed in love!

 

  Not bad as heritages go. Not bad at all.

 

Personal Note

 

Eerdmans Publishers now say it will be end of January before The Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia will be ready. We have placed an order for all those who have sent us a check for $46, which is pre-publication discount price, postpaid. This offer stands until the book is published. Make check payable to Leroy Garrett and send to 1300 Woodlake Dr., Denton, TX 76210. This is being billed as the premier publication in the history of Churches of Christ.

 

We keep two other books in stock which you can also order from us: The Stone-Campbell Movement: The Story of the American Restoration Movement by Leroy Garrett, $35 postpaid; and A Lover's Quarrel: My Pilgrimage of Freedom in Churches of Christ, an autobiography, by Leroy Garrett, $14.95 postpaid.