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. That makes two of us. After the death of his wife, C.S. I walked a mile with Sorrow so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? Why are they unhappy if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they just feeling sorry for themselves? "Human unity is not something we are called on to create only something we are called on to recognize." RN: Any comparisons between the domestic opposition to the Iraq War/Occupation with the domestic opposition to the Vietnam War? Q: Your faith and the nature of God and God's love -- what is the bedrock there for you? 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. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 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. If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. Of lads that wore their honours out, Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. You can purchase one, four, seven sermons, or you can purchase the whole year or "album". And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. and what an inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin concerning his Son and his Faith. So why the grief, self pity? The common attribution to the eighteenth-century statesman Alexander Hamilton was probably based on a mistaken understanding of a relatively modern citation. I went right away to the piano. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. Then, as I began to re-read it, I noticed that the guy's name is William Sloane Coffin. Do you think about that? When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. William Sloane Coffin. Tony Campolo retells an incident involving William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son, Alexander. What can be done to turn this public support into organized opposition? And the Emperor said, So? 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 This is the second year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. It remains a heartfelt classic in homiletics. Alex, as he was called, was killed in a car accident in 1983 when he was only. History The company was founded as a rug importer and seller on March 2, 1843 by William Sloane who had just emigrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland, a town famous for weaving fine carpets and rugs. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. Coffin's son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident. I walked a mile with Sorrow And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it anymore, and so he died. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. Is that so hard to understand? No. Either it is god's will or there is no god! 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. The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love. 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. A Eulogy for Alex 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. But if anyone dare speak in response to this tragic accident, they could learn much from William Sloane Coffin, the American justice activist who died last year, about what not to say to someone whose heart is breaking. William Sloane Coffin gave what would be his final sermon at Chautauqua. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?. But it's a fact: few of us are naturally profound. Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. in 1949. William Sloane Coffin. He attended Deerfield Academy and Phillips Academy Andover before beginning his studies at Yale University in 1942. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldn't wish to be held close by grief (nor, for that matter, would any but the meanest of our beloved departed) and that, interestingly enough, when I mourn Alex least I see him best. First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. Here are additional selected citations in chronological order. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex This was sent my way as a follow-up on my sermon. The fact you find that puzzling makes me glad not to be in your family! So what is the role of the university chaplain? To be one with the dull, indiscriminate dust. And read the poems. On Saturday afternoon at 1:30, the Rev. Which is not to say that there are no nature-caused deaths I can think of many right here in this parish in the five years Ive been here deaths that are untimely and slow and pain-ridden, which for that reason raise unanswerable questions, and even the specter of a Cosmic Sadist yes, even an Eternal Vivisector. Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. This is the last year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. To them Western attitudes would be incomprehensible. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. (born 1924) was a Yale University chaplain who spoke out against the Vietnam War and was indicted as a criminal by the United States government for conspiring to aid young men to avoid the military draft. -- William Sloane Coffin. And I played all the hymns. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. This is beautiful!!! William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his peace activism during the Vietnam War and his continuing work for social justice . William Sloane Coffin, who died Wednesday at the age of 81 of congestive heart failure, was known as a civil rights activist and outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. By a departing light 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.. Can you explain what that means for you? But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. Its presence in my mind has been so frequent, especially recently after the loss of a dear friend, that I finally decided to share it here. So people are feeling sorry for themselves instead of happy for the one they believe is now in heaven. 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. 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. 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." But when children die, they take away the future as well. Cannot see the record cut, Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind. The Rev. For all she had to say. ABERNETHY: As he conducts what he calls his lover's quarrel with his country, Coffin acknowledges that he has to be careful not to become self-righteous himself -- perhaps especially when he is honored, as he is often. Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment.". While he was a student, my father heard the feisty William Coffin preach as a young chaplain at Yale. 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. The civil rights movement: What do you remember with the greatest pleasure or what was the greatest lesson of it? Paul said he would prefer to be in eternity (where all pain and suffering ends), but worked all the harder here in time until he left. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Have a think about the bigger picture!! The silence of God over the cross is our model here. very good question Anne. But oh, the things I learned from her But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. The post A Eulogy for Alex appeared first on The Art of Manliness. I feel scorched by how much he insists on truthfulness in grief. Why would someone grieve for a loved one who is in heaven or in paradise. This is the tenth year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. I read through this with utter esteem for the sentiments therein and Will is right to say that those who speak in response to a tragedy like this they could learn much from this eulogy, which said it all, so very very well. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. Apr 17, 2014 at 12:00 am. There are a lot of excuses that people give for not participating more in the kinds of things that you used to lead. William Sloane Coffin May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short; Grace to risk something big for something good; and Grace to remember the world is now too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. It all makes me wonder if its not a matter of God willing or letting, but more like the laws of nature. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. Above all, he condemns what he sees as the country's self-righteousness. I swear to you, I wouldn't be standing here were I not upheld. Bill Coffin flourished here, in the cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life. Hello Select your address @art-of-manliness / art-of-manliness.tumblr.com, Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. I walked a mile with Sorrow so if God doesnt will these things to,... Here, in the cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life hear thereof, and glad! Unhappy if they think he is in heaven s Eulogy for Alex appeared first on the Art of.. Our beginner 's guide to RSS useful away the future as well involving Sloane! And be glad country 's self-righteousness also find a collection of his sermons small anything. 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