Legacy

Elias Boudinot was the first president of the American Bible Society and was also the president of the United States Continental Congress in 1783. His gravestone in Burlington, New Jersey, refurbished by modern admirers, says of him, “His death was the triumph of the Christian faith, the consummation of hope, the dawn and pledge of endless felicity.” In addition, those who loved him added this bit of verse:
“To those who knew him not no word can paint
And those who knew him
Know all words are faint.
Mark the perfect man and behold
The upright for the end of that man is peace.”
What a great legacy for all who love God and his Word.

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Did
you read the story of James Henry Smith? According to news accounts, James Henry
Smith loved many things, but what he loved most was the Pittsburg Steelers.
When he died, his family made an unusual request. Smith’s family asked the funeral
home to place his body in a recliner in front of a television playing Steelers
highlights, holding a remote control. They dressed him in Steeler’s colors.
On a table next to the deceased were a pack of cigarettes and a can of beer.
This is how family and friends remembered him in life. There is nothing wrong
with liking sports and nothing wrong with liking the Steelers. Still, this incident
prompts a pertinent question. If you were to die, what would people remember
as your greatest passion?

_______________

J.
Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati,
OH.

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