Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 77

Memorial Service

Memorial Service.

At the Congregational Church. Moray place, on Sunday, November 27. the Rev W. Saunders conducted a service in memory of the late Mr John Wesley Jago, who had been a member of the church since its foundation in Dunedin. There was a large congregation, the majority of whom Were in mourning, and the service throughout whilst never approaching the morbid or page 7 depressing, was characterised by simplicity and sympathy and an appreciable manifestation of genuine regret that testified more deeply, perhaps, than aught else could to the affection and honor in which the departed friend was held. The platform and pulpit were draped in black, the sombre-ness of which was relieved by a bunch of large white lilies on either side of the minister.

The service opened with the playing of the Vital Spark' by Mr D. Cooke, the piece being given in response to a desire from those who knew it to have been a favorite with the deceased. The first hymn was that commencing—

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

The story of Martha and Mary's grief for their brother, and the comforting words of Jesus, as well as the opening verses of the fourteenth chapter of John, were read. 'For ever with the Lord' was next sung, followed by a brief, earnest prayer for the widow and children who had been bereft of husband and father, the whole congregation at its close reciting the Lord's Prayer. "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep" was chanted.

This portion of the service was ended by the singing of one of the best-loved hymns of the late Mr Jago:

When wilt Thou save Thy people?
O God of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations!
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people, Thine they are,
Thy children, as Thine angels fair,
From vice, oppression, and despair,
God save the people!

The Rev. Mr Saunders, who based his address on the words (1st Tim., vi, 11) "But thou, man of God," said that this was a title that could not be bestowed by any king. It Eras not within their gift. It had no relation to an earthly sovereign. This title carries no coronet with it, secures no place in the council chambers of the nation, opens no doors to the society of those in high positions; but the incorruptible crown that fadeth not away is attached to it, and the fellowship of its wearers is the innumerable company of angels, the spirits of just men made perfect. Man of God! There is no higher title than this. It gathers up the noblest privileges and fairest promises. This indeed constitutes its peculiar worth. While it is esteemed on earth it is held in greater esteem in Heaven. The gloom of death cannot destroy its beauties. It is an imperishable title, written on no parchment, but emblazoned on the soul to which God gives everlasting life. He that goes down having this emerges into the life of the eternal city bearing the title still. Man of God! Not a title reserved for a few; it is within the reach of all! it is not a title that belongs to members of a sacred profession only. It belongs to everyone who is God's man, and all are God's men who are eager to bear his likeness and to serve him in love with heart and mind and strength. Such an one have we lost in him who has passed from us. To review his life as that of a man of business, a good workman, a politician, a religious man, a loving father, we feel that, while some of these would partly describe our brother, that none of them fit him so well as "man of God." He was exemplary in all other relations of life because he always sought to remember that he was but a servant of the Most High. The chief end of man is to glorify God. That was placed before him while he was vet young by his father, and in this purpose we find the keynote of his whole life. I speak advisedly, said the speaker, of his life's purpose. I do not think he had ever experienced any sudden religious change. Though brought up a Methodist and bearing the name of John Wesley, he had never passed through what is called conversion. His life was of one piece throughout. As far back as 1852 the editor of the 'Examiner' (Glasgow) gave him a high testimonial as to his zeal, thoroughness, and ability. Even at that early age he had distinguished himself in church and temperance work, and his religion showed itself in his fidelity to his employer. He carried it into his daily life and work; he had no notion of its showing itself in special places and in i special seasons only. And the youth was father to the man. His religion was a force quickening, clearing, and controlling his thoughts, words, and deeds. His enthusiasm for church and temperance work in the early days was very great. From the beginning he was a man of God. His minister in 1857 said of him that in the church of which he was pastor Mr Jago was held in high esteem for his ability, his great experience in Sabbath school work, and his power in addressing public audiences. When quite young he would stand on the steps of the various public buildings in the city to preach the cause that he throughout his life made peculiarly his own. His Sunday school superintendent said of him at that time: "I have known him for sixteen years as an efficient teacher, consistent in his profession, an excellent speaker, a good gift in prayer, and able to keep large numbers of children in order—few, in fact, can equal him in this regard." Not many of us, said the preacher, knew these things. It is the first indication that we have had that our late brother was trained in the Sunday school. The details give us just a brief glimpse of what he was. He came to Dunedin a man of God, and as such he exercised a great influence upon this City and colony. He proved himself to be one of our best possessions. We are all, in some measure, benefited by his activities, and we acknowledge it to-day with grateful thanks. As a speaker and writer and organiser his work for temperance was wide-reaching. He gave to it what, perhaps, it had not always had—dignity. The enthusiasm of humanity shone on the work for which he was engaged. He knew how' to labor without thought of rewards, and how to stand aside without murmuring. We page 8 thank God to-day that he lived to see that cause greatly prospering. He lived to see the younger generation inarching forward to victory. In the matter of temperance his labors were fruitful indeed. In that work which is usually described as Christian—misleadingly, perhaps—his energies were spent in this church. This building is largely a monument to his zeal. From beginning to departure he stood by it in fair weather and in stormy. He took a pride in it. From every point of view the Church to him was beautiful. As far back as 1865 the members of this church felt constrained to acknowledge his work. Nothing ever weakened his zeal, his faith never flagged, and though his physical strength grew less and less, we remember with joy that he spoke as treasurer from their platform less than a month ago, and attended the evening services three weeks back. Look, speak, or touch, there is nothing that does not remind us of him. He lives in the church, and his influence pervades it as the sweet, lingering smell of lavender. Well, it is well that we cannot forget him; well that it should be borne in upon our hearts that now and always the man of God is dwelling by our side.

I was always, Mr Saunders said, impressed with his magnificent charity—a charity that thinks no ill, that certainly works no ill, and that with reluctance listened to it. I felt this phase of his character more even than his temperance or church work. I never heard him, in all the years I knew him, speak an un-kindly word. When he could not defend he was silent, and his silence ever suggested that if we only knew more there would be cause to change the adverse judgment. His willingness to efface himself was evidenced by his quiet withdrawal when the editorship of the temperance papers underwent a change. No one felt regret at the severance so keenly as himself. It was a hard wrench from work that he loved. It was congenial, and he missed it, yet never was there a murmur, and always the most loyal support to the new order of things. His last words when handing over the reins to other and younger hands are worthy to be remembered. He had had no personal end to serve, no selfish object in view, but had endeavored in that way to serve his day and generation. And thus it was that he left the work that was so dear to him, preferring to drop into obscurity if this were the price of success to that cause for which he had strenuously worked for a lifetime. A beautiful and inspiring life. Truly a man of God. He went in and out among us for many years, he was appreciated by us, and he knew that we appreciated him. We did not keep our sense of his work silent until to-day. He learned, in a way that came as an abiding and great joy to him, on the occasion of his golden wedding, that he had not labored among us in vain. It was the life of the man of God and his righteousness that laid hold of the heart of this community. It is not for us to speak of the loss that has befallen his near and dear ones. But his end was enviable. Very peacefully did he enter into his rest There was no moaning on the bar. He was taken in charge by the beloved Pilot and the end was as he would have wished. His earthly remains are in the City he so much loved, and they are one of our precious possessions, but the man of God is with his God There we must leave him, for is he not in peace and in joy? Leave him but for a little while in that light that knows no darkness. Brother and comrade, farewell!

After the hymn

Now the laborer's task is o'er,
Now the battle day is past;

had been sung, the entire congregation stood whilst the Dead March from 'Saul' was played. Then followed the Benediction. During the offertory Chopin's Funeral March was played, and as the outgoing voluntary Beethoven's Funeral March.