Sherman, Shadrach Rev. 1811 - 1875

SHERMAN

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 3/7/2005 at 15:11:47

TIMES January 21, 1875 P4 C3 and P8 C2

FUNERAL SERVICES OF ELDER SHERMAN

On the occasion of the funeral services of Rev. Shadrach Sherman, Jan. 10, at Riceville, Prof. Bush, of Osage, spoke from the words, "He giveth his beloved sleep." This sermon we report from memory.

Elder Sherman was born at Hamburg, Erie Co., N. Y., 1811. His early manhood was spent in Wisconsin, where he was for some time engaged as missionary and colporteur. He spent twenty years in the ministry, more than half of that period in connection with the Cedar Valley Association of Iowa, and the three last years as the pastor of the Baptist church in Riceville.

It may be emphatically said of him, in the words of Pope, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." His preaching may be characterized as practical rather than classical, as spiritual rather than scholastic. He was full of holy zeal and abundant in labors. He had expressed the wish to die in the harness, and his wish was fulfilled; for he was stricken down in the pulpit. How applicable to him the words of Montgomery:

"Servant of God, well done,
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter the Master's joy."
(The entire hymn was feelingly recited.)

But now he rests from his labors, for so He giveth his beloved sleep. I have chosen this text so that we may look throught it, not upon what is repulsive in death, but at quieting the beautiful views of the subject. The mother when she hushes her little one to rest, and lays it away securely does not look upon it as lost; she commends it to God's care, and thinks of it as more immediately in his presence; then goes to her work with a trustful heart. So we, when our dear ones' sleep in Jesus must not think of them as lost. True, their will, their self-determined power, is laid aside, but their life is hid with Christ in God: and therefore, far from being extinct, they are in God's more immediate care and presence: so we mourn for them not as those without hope.

But there is a sleep attended by terrific means, such as the sleep of the inebriate, which is not truly a rest.

"To die,--to sleep,--
To sleep! perchance to dream;--ay, there's the rub
For in the sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect,
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the laws delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodwin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and swear muder a weary line,
But that the dread of something after death,--
The undiscovered country, from whose boarne
No traveler returns,--puzzles the will;
And makes us rather bear those lids we have
That fly to others that we know not of?"

But no doubts mar the victory which the good man claims when he must cease from the active service of his Master. And he goes to his rest not as a gang-slave to dungeon bed, but "like him who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lays him down to pleasant dreams,"--and in the resurrection such shall come forth to share the glories of the eternal state.

So let these mourning friends and this stricken congregation end comfort in the words of our text, and let those words be carried home to the afflicted companion of the deceased--too ill to be with us today,--"For so He giveth his beloved sleep."

Elder Whitney then spoke of his acquaintance with the deceased, of the transparency and child like simplicity of his character, reminding one of the Savior's words, "Except ye become as little children." etc.

Mr. Harvey spoke feelingly of the fraternal relations existing from the first between the deceased brother and himself and of their labors together up to the very last sermon preached by Elder Sherman the night of his sudden illness, when he spoke from the words, John 16:24. "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." On that occasion it was observed that he spoke not with his accustomed force, but with great tenderness, addressing himself to the church for fifteen minutes, when he was compelled to retire.
Elder Marther spoke of his rare faithfulness, and of the last visit with Elder Sherman at his home, when he proposed that they part with prayer; and added that those who part in this way are sure to have a happy meeting.

Elder Marsh spoke of the deceased brother's activity and constant zeal, saying he had no desire to rest. But when at last assured that his work was done, his thoughts dwelt on victory. He died in the triumph of faith.

A characteristic incident was related to the writer by Elder Sherman last summer. We were conversing upon the habits and manner of worship of the Quakers, of which society he went into a court of justice, retaining my hat--as it customary with that people--and wearing a camlet cloak, which did not differ materially from the prevailing style. The officer stepped up and with some difficulty reached over and lifted my hat with his rod of office. I quietly replaced it, at the same time dropping the cloak from my shoulders, thus exhibiting my Quaker garb; after which I was not molested."

"He giveth his beloved sleep,"
But since in death the shadows creep
Over his eyes, our own must weep.

But lo! a Morning Star appears
That drops bright rainbows in our tears
And waiting hearts despondent cheers.

It heralds day--the dawning fair--
When sleepers shall awake to share
Poems of praise and white robes wear.

SHERMAN--At the residence of Mr. Fields, in Howard Co., Iowa, Jan. 7th, 1875, Rev. Shadrac Sherman, of Riceville, in the 64th year of his age.

The deceased has been well known in Chickasaw and adjoining counties for the past fifteen years. He has been pastor of the Baptist Church at Riceville, for three years past, supplying several neighboring in that vicinity. About ten days before his death, he was holding a meeting in Saratoga, Howard Co., and was taken suddenly with paralysis while preaching. He sat down for a moment and fell to the floor. He was taken up and carried to the house of Mr. Field, where he remained in a semi-conscious state until he died.

Mr. Sherman was a faithful minister, a kind christian gentleman, and genial co-worker in every benevolient and religious work. He will be missed by a wide circle of friends and his faithful ministrations will long be remembered by the people with whom he has labored. (Osage Press)

Second Obit:

owa Plain Dealer January 22, 1875, P3 C3

DIED.

SHERMAN--At the residence of Mr. Field in Howard Co. Iowa, Jan 7th 1875, Rev. Shadrac Sherman, of Riceville, in the 64th year of his age.