Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, May 17, 1873
Extract from The Anniversary Sermon, Preached by Rev. J.L. Burrows
On Sunday, May 4th, the Fifteenth Anniversary of his Pastoral connection with Christ church, at Sherburne, N.Y.
"And thou shall remember all the way which the Lord thy God hath led thee." Deut. 8:2
Anniversaries are waymarks on the journey which must have an end not very distant. We have come thus far, and are to remember all the way which the Lord God hath led us; led us through sickness, health, suffering, pleasure, sorrow, joy, loss, bereavement, comfort, vexation, delight, and all the changes of life, to this place and this hour, where we may stand and wonder why so many unimportant things troubled us, why we have been so often ruffled by insignificant sayings, why our work has been hindered by what was not worth turning aside to see, and yet to wonder further that we have so much more, in basket, in heart or in home than offending mortals could expect, but if all these fail, God "is the strength of our heart," and shall be "our portion forever."
Each individual, in remembering the way he has come, fears no more for the remaining distance before him. The same applies to us as a church. We have no reason to fear. There may be much prejudice lurking in the minds of the uninformed and the misinformed, but hostility is dying out, and there is a more favorable feeling generally among the people.
For myself, personally, and the occasion calls for the allusion, it has not occurred to me to be either uncourteous or uncharitable toward those who differ from us. I have visited all sorts of people in sickness or in health and have seldom met with even a show of opposition, but it is scarcely to be expected that a man could live so many years in a place without exciting some animosity, yet I have never in any case, meddled with anyone who did not rudely interfere with things beyond his province, and I have had no enemies able to do much harm. During the pastorate of the present incumbent which were it to end today, would be unusually long, the sympathies of the people have been generally with him, and he has tried to do his duty.
There have been 74 marriages, being nearly an average of five a year. Your minister has officiated at about 100 burials, but some of these were not of members of our congregation. Though we have been less affected by removals than most country parishes, we have lost five more families than we have received. A few of our young men have gone West, and quite a number of young ladies have left at different times.
I have referred to the Burials. We have lost many communicants.
Mrs. Cushman and her daughter Julia [Cushman] passed away in the same year, 1858, not without good hope through the grace of our Lord.
Mr. Asa Foote, Sen., in 1859. He was one of the first members of our church and a vestryman, full of faith and zeal.
Mrs. Cornelia E. Bullock died in 1861, leaving a large family for whom she had cared most tenderly. She was one of the excellent of the earth.
Mr. Eli Elsbre passed away in 1862. He was a vestryman, and died as he had lived in full hope, through the Spirit, of the glory that shall come unto the Just.
Next, we lost Mr. Simeon Bullock, a man faithful in all things, pure-mined and good, and long to be remembered.
Mrs. Mary Merchant was less known as she had resided so long in another parish. She is rightly numbered with the saints.
Mrs. Collins Locke died in 1863, aged 95, and her husband the year following, aged 94. They trusted in the loving God.
Mr. John Davison, Esq., died in the same year, looking for the life of the world to come.
In 1863 Miss Elizabeth Harvey exchanged earth for Paradise. She had the esteem of many and the love of not a few.
In the year 1864, Mrs. Susan Weaver departed, having been married less than three years, she was truly loved as she deserved, and now rests upon her Redeemer's heart.
In 1865, Dr. B.H. Marks, a noble and honorable man, was taken from our midst to behold his Lord.
Miss Eliza Knapp died in 1866, and Mr. A Fox in 1867, both of them deeply and worthily regretted.
Mrs. Mary Davidson died full of years and grace in 1868
Miss Nancy Upham passed from earth in 1870. She was endowed with many noble qualities and had hope in her death.
Miss Ella Reynolds, a young lady of excellent character, died in 1871.
In that year also departed Mr. A. Baker, who had long been a communicant and several years a vestryman, and who loved the church of the redeemed.
In November of that year, we lost Mrs. Clara Easton a gentle, patient woman, who a friend once was a friend always. Her end was blessed.
Mrs. John Kershaw passed away last August. I had buried her son Simeon [Kershaw] but a short time before. Mother and son had the same precious faith. The former, a worthy woman, had long been a communicant.
Did it consist with my plan and the time would not fail me, I should like to speak of many others who have a place in our hearts and memories. Be assured friends and fellow citizens all, that in your sorrows and bereavements you have our warmest sympathies, and when you and I come near Death's door may we be ready.
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