what do you say? Q: Where does the rise of conservatism, especially on the religious Right among Protestant evangelicals, fit into this whole thing? And that's what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. 54 quotes from William Sloane Coffin: 'Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. Still there is much by way of consolation. 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 Today's Times asks the inevitable question following the tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims in the French Alps: What kind of God would allow something like this to happen? God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. When sorrow walked with me. This is beautiful!!! Refusing to cede the battlefield of morality to conservatives, he argues that "compassion demands . You can purchase one, four, seven sermons, or you can purchase the whole year or "album". But I also, couldnt think of anything else for the moment, but about Alex, and his death. William Crawley | 12:42 UK time, Friday, 27 July 2007. Among the healing flood of letters that followed his death was one carrying this wonderful quote from the end of Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms": "The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.". And ne'er a word said she; Than by a wick that stays. During WWII, Coffin joined the army and later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Korean War. COFFIN: What this country needs, what I think God wants us to do, is not practice piecemeal charity but engage in wholesale justice. In a prideful way it would be easier to walk the valley alone, nobly, head high, instead of as we must marching as the latest recruit in the worlds army of the bereaved. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldnt 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. But the point is this. I walked a mile with Sorrow There was a funny one on the Twilight Zone where as I recall, the story opens with people from all over a small Western town sitting around in a bar lamenting the loss of their beloved dearly departed. RN: What do you think should be done strategically and tactically by the peace movement? But I do not approve. First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. I swear to you, I wouldn't be standing here were I not upheld. My own broken heart is mending, and largely thanks to so many of you, my dear parishioners; for if in the last week I have relearned one lesson, it is that love not only begets love, it transmits strength. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. 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. But the things I learned from her While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. William Sloane Coffin was a man with a wild career: he fought in World War II, worked for the CIA after the war, became a "man of the cloth", was thrown in jail as a civil rights marcher with Dr. Martin Luther King, and was an academic, author, and an activist. As far as I can tell, when you die, in the words of Art Bell, it's.."lights out" (I love the way he puts it.) Apr 17, 2014 at 12:00 am. Runners whom renown outran In 1983, Dr Coffin's son Alex was killed in a car accident. So while trite, it's true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, The reality of grief is the absence of God My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your minds a blank, that there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away. (Lord Byron). Did you perhaps mistake me for someone else?? Either it is god's will or there is no god! He was ordained in the Presbyterian church and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. Instantly I was up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her. Q: You have, in the course of your life, participated in a good many great causes and have done so with a lot of passion. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. It is difficult to know how to theologise about a tragedy of this order without descending into cliche, trivialisation or offensiveness. The post A Eulogy for Alex appeared first on The Art of Manliness. I was impressed by the Amish last year when that young girl was killed. Required fields are marked *. Smart lad, to slip betimes away 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. This is the first year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Still there is much by way of consolation. There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. I was reminded today of this beautiful eulogy by the late William Sloane Coffin for his 24-year-old son, Alex, and I wanted to share it with you. The reality of grief is the solitude of pain, the feeling that your heart is in pieces, your mind's a blank, that "there is no joy the world can give like that it takes away." I read someone say recently that this is only a training ground for eternity. These prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the actual sermons too. I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the cold ground. Alex. by Rev. 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. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. There are many kinds of silence, and one of them is a humbled, respectful, listening silence. 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. 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 Jr. was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex 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. But you seem to be able to deal with these problems in a way that recalls some deep confidence. I think in the end they pay him a fortune to make the dead go back to their graves. I walked a mile with Sorrow And neer a word said she; But the things I learned from her But oh, the things I learned from her When sorrow walked with me. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. #Hope #Passion. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, 1924, in New York City. 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. 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. Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 Moral lassitude Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly August 27, 2004 Q: You have, in the course of your life, participated in a good many great causes and have done so with a lot of passion. -- William Sloane Coffin. So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. By a departing light We see acuter quite Than by a wick that stays. 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. John Wright #5 From fields where glory does not stay, 10 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. I'm puzzled by all of this. She chattered all the way; 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.. I know how lucky I am! That makes two of us. Then he moves on to the next town. Rev. . William Sloane Coffin Compassion, Sentimental, Individual William Sloane Coffin (2004). What an interesting article William 2023 Barbara Becker / All Beings Everywhere. In a prideful way it would be easier to walk the valley alone, nobly, head high, instead of as we must marching as the latest recruit in the worlds army of the bereaved. As for the theological issues, I agree with William on the need for respectful silence. I do hope that many will learn what not to say to a grieving loved one. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. Rev. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. But the things I learned from her As almost all of you know, a week ago last Monday night, driving in a terrible storm, my son Alexander who to his friends was a real day-brightener, and to his family fair as a star when only one is shining in the sky my twenty-four-year-old Alexander, who enjoyed beating his old man at every game and in every race, beat his father to the grave. 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. My own broken heart is mending, and largely thanks to so many of you, my dear parishioners; for if in the last week I have relearned one lesson, it is that love not only begets love, it transmits strength. (Lord Byron). The Theology of William Sloane Coffin. tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Jonathan Merritt and the ethics of "outing". The document has moved here. God does not spill milk. Like A.E. In this best-seller, Coffin gives a powerful record of his remarkable public life, offering his. There is no smaller package in all the world than that of a man all wrapped up in himself.', 'Prophets from Amos and Isaiah to Gandhi and King have shown how frequently compassion demands confrontation. Quotes. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. I know that. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex This was sent my way as a follow-up on my sermon. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave. So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. Q: Many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and come out very differently on social issues. It just happened. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Houseman, To an Athlete Dying Young. And I wept and I wept. 00:00 $ 75.00 Sermons from Riverside Church 1982 And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. I know how lucky I am! This well-intentioned person had brought in a dinner for Coffin and his family and said, "I just don't understand the will of God." He said: "I'll say you don't, friend. 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. Less sceptical commentators may point to mechanical -- and possibly human -- failure on a notoriously dangerous road. Of course its a crutch. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? We have to be forced down. I think it will serve as a reminder of many stupid things we all have said to people who are grieving the main one probably being 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. What do you think it is? "The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love." --- William Sloane Coffin. So while trite, its true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, ABERNETHY: I spoke with Coffin about growing old. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. And round that early-laurelled head 25 And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. The fact you find that puzzling makes me glad not to be in your family! The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sister's house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. MOYERS: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you? After the death of his wife, C.S. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. When its true and painful, say it softly, None of us have the right to avert our gaze. RN: Any comparisons between the domestic opposition to the Iraq War/Occupation with the domestic opposition to the Vietnam War? A good question, Suzy. Then a miracle working preacher comes to town promising at midnight, all the dead will rise from boot hill and come back to life. --Robert Browning Hamilton. "I'll say you don't, lady!" c a m p u s l i f e ; m e s s a g e RN: How is Vermont a model in this respect? But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. Heres how Coffin explained how he managed to write and deliver this eulogy so soon after his sons death (from an interview with Bill Moyers): COFFIN: Well. God did not bash the truck into your fathers car. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. Will was tyring to elicit thoughts about the whole concept of a god's will. Rev. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA officer, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of H. Richard Niebuhr . See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. Q: You preached that wonderful sermon after your son's death, and there were some ideas in there about what is "God's will.". Why? 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. and what an inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin concerning his Son and his Faith. I was moved to tears, to be perfectly honest. Why are they unhappy if they think he is in paradise with 72 virgins or are they just feeling sorry for themselves? Moved Permanently. 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. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. Not because our diverse readership will agree with all of its theological underpinnings, but because I think it offers wise advice on what to say (and not say) when someone dies tragically, a poignant window on the human experience, and a lesson in the art of effective rhetoric(hence why we were discussing it in a communications class). That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. We see acuter quite #Power Of Love #Truth #Love. 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