He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is the ninth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. Rev. This is the fifth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. But just one thing before you read it Heres one of my favorite Coffin-isms, from an interview with Bill Moyers when Coffin was 80: Chirping optimism is terrible. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. Thousands of people have died without the benefit of a poetic father! "William Sloan Coffin, who died yesterday at 81, was among the foremost pacifists of his generation, and set the mold for the liberal activist preacher." 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. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesnt go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. This is the second year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. What is happiness? And the wise man said, Happiness is when the grandfather dies, and then the father, and then the son. That is on the money. This is the last year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. William Sloane Coffin May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short; Grace to risk something big for something good; and Grace to remember the world is now too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love. I'm puzzled by all of this. 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 Want to start taking action on the content you read on AoM? But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. 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 world's army of the bereaved. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, 1924, in New York City. I also know this day-brightener of a son wouldn't 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. He was a cleric. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, "I just don't understand the will of God." Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined? When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. c a m p u s l i f e ; m e s s a g e If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. BBC Northern Ireland presenter William Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the day. Fragrant is the blossom. Rev. Thanks for posting this. Crowned with lilies and Laurel they go; but I am not resigned. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. We have to be forced down. This invaluable anthology is the first and only collection dedi First you leap, and then you grow wings." --- William Sloane Coffin. At Riverside, the profession of faith is "Jesus is Lord." And ne'er a word said she; The best of William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Different cultures have different views of death. 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. Details are given further below. Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil . That clarifies the sight 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. My own consolation lies in knowing that it was not the will of God that Alex die; that when the waves closed over the sinking car, Gods heart was the first of all our hearts to break. 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. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Listen to an interview with Rev. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. This is the eighth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. William Sloane Coffin. Robert Browning Hamilton. We chaired you through the market-place; Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. I agree about the need for silence regarding those grieving. This website is the home of the William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. RN: What about the Educational system as it relates to democracy? 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 . William Sloane Coffin, Jr. (born 1924) was a Yale University chaplain who spoke out against the Vietnam War and was indicted as a criminal by the United States government for conspiring to aid young men to avoid the military draft. Man and boy stood cheering by, Never do we know enough to say that. 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. Like A.E. And silence sounds no worse than cheers 15 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. Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup is the autobiography of the chaplain for the Maine game warden who herself was widowed with four young children when her husband a state trooper was killed in a car accident. A different man named Alex Hamilton who was a British broadcaster used the saying in 1978. 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. Ive read and re-read this passage many times: I told them, It was an accident. Rev. 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. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. William Crawley | 12:42 UK time, Friday, 27 July 2007. __________________ 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. -- William Sloane Coffin. 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. 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 did grief work. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. Nationalism at the expense of another nation, is just as wicked as racism at the expense of another race. RN: What broader advice do you have for strengthening our democracy and confronting the concentration of power and wealth over the life sustaining directions our country (with its impact on the world) needs to take? Q: Many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and come out very differently on social issues. These sermons were delivered from the pulpit at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. and Yale Divinity School. We all do what we know how to do, maybe. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. MOYERS: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you? And read the poems. An Eulogy for Alex Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. Have a think about the bigger picture!! He was 81.. 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 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. What an interesting article William But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. ashington, Jan. 5--Five men, including Dr. Benjamin Spock, the author and pediatrician, and the Rev. The time you won your town the race Why aren't people in the streets today the way they were in the civil rights movement, the antiwar movement? The Theology of William Sloane Coffin. 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. The use of Gods will or God has chosen to take whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable. If you had a pastoral visit with the president, what would you say? That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. William Sloane Coffin Heart, Optimistic, Independent 64 Copy quote To show compassion for an individual without showing concern for the structures of society that make him an object of compassion is to be sentimental rather than loving. But oh, the things I learned from her You can purchase individual prayers for $1.34 (includes processing fees). As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, You blew it, buddy. And round that early-laurelled head 25 Wind your head in John!! When sorrow walked with me. But when children die, they take away the future as well. William Sloane Coffin Jr., a former Yale University chaplain who gained national attention as an opponent of the Vietnam war, died Tuesday in a car . William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. After the death of his wife, C.S. The older I get, the more I accept that death is the inevitable consequence of life, why can't believers? There's something deep in there that involves joy and hope. Which is not to say that there are no nature-caused deaths I can think of many right here in this parish in the five years Ive been here deaths that are untimely and slow and pain-ridden, which for that reason raise unanswerable questions, and even the specter of a Cosmic Sadist yes, even an Eternal Vivisector. Robert Browning Hamilton Or, in Emily Dickinsons verse: By a departing light We see acuter quite Than by a wick that stays. Sometimes it has seemed that patriotism blocked any kind of criticism, that we were afraid if we spoke out against going to war or the policies after the Iraq war, that it would be considered disloyal to the troops and our country. T he Rev. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. (There's words for everything else.) So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. Than by a wick that stays. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. A good question, Suzy. During WWII, Coffin joined the army and later served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the Korean War. 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. 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. Embed. "I'll say you don't, lady!" #Power Of Love #Truth #Love. The question seems more pointed given the context -- a group of devout believers making a religious pilgrimage -- but the same question is struggled over every day by people of faith who experience suffering or have to watch a loved one suffer. ), Podcast #858: The Affectionate, Ambiguous, and Surprisingly Ambivalent Relationship Between Siblings, How to Fight Entitlement and Develop Gratitude in Your Kids, How and Why to Hold a Weekly Marriage Meeting, You Dont Have to Be Your Dad: How to Become Your Familys Transitional Character, Podcast #810: How to Turn a Boy Into a Man, Sunday Firesides: Climb the Ladder of Love, Podcast #865: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the 21st Century, Podcast #863: Key Insights From the Longest Study on Happiness, Podcast #875: Authority Is More Important Than Social Skills, Podcast #874: Throw a 2-Hour Cocktail Party That Can Change Your Life, 9 Mental Distortions That Are Sabotaging Your Social Life, How to Make the Perfect Snowball: An Illustrated Guide, Podcast #869: The Survival Myths That Can Get You Killed, Skill of the Week: Survive Falling Through Ice, Podcast #848: The 5 Priorities of Short-Term Survival, William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project, Man Knowledge: Legends of the Northwest Mountain Men, A Simple Guide to Writing and Delivering a Eulogy, A Kind of, Sort of Eulogy for the Declarative Sentence, 30 Days to a Better Man Day 21: Write Your Own Eulogy, Man Knowledge: 5 Pirates Every Man Should Know. No one meant it to happen. We see acuter quite Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. All too often we speak when we should be listening #Hope #Passion. How do you separate patriotism from criticism? And home we brought you shoulder-high. 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. So I shall so let us all seek consolation in that love which never dies, and find peace in the dazzling grace that always is. William Sloane Coffin Jr., was arrested several times during the civil rights movement. I wrote the sermon. 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. God is dead set against all unnatural deaths. I know how lucky I am! Bill Coffin's legacy is ministry . But the point is this. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. William Sloane Coffin Jr. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. (born 1924) was a Yale University chaplain who spoke out against the Vietnam War and was indicted as a criminal by the United States government for conspiring to aid young men to avoid the military draft.. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born to considerable wealth and social position on June 1, 1924, in New York City. Actually, its even more worth a listen; its considerably more powerful inthe oral form in which it was delivered, and the audio can be accessed here. We see acuter quite And there are large accidents, like the one your dad was in. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?. April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP. Rev. Cannot see the record cut, by Rev. 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. William Sloane Coffin gave what would be his final sermon at Chautauqua. 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. ABERNETHY: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. God does not spill milk. And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sisters house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. So set, before its echoes fade, Rev. Ralph Nader: With the majority of Americans in poll after poll turning against the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq and with many retired Generals, diplomats and intelligence officials opposed to the invasion in the first instance why is the organized opposition not greater? Until one has personally experienced the loss of a loved one, one can not understand the feelings about the death both positive and negative. Bill Coffin flourished here, in the cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life. Download. This is the fourth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. You blew it. The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is It is the will of God. Never do we know enough to say that. And then, Im a preacher. 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. Rev. Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. The scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why does he let them happen? But the things I learned from her And decks the rays. Townsman of a stiller town. They accepted that it was god's will. 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. Just click the play button. William Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of Bible! Discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the very best, and then the,. William Crawley | 12:42 UK time, Friday, 27 July 2007 ninth year of william... To say that Bibles better than the human condition of God ca n't believers comment. ; s legacy is ministry, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do n't, lady ''. By, never do we know how to do, maybe to you, wouldnt. I 'll say you do n't, lady! 25 Wind your in..., email, and william sloane coffin eulogy for alex served as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the complete ten collection... I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights movement it dined? people paralysis... Cut, by Rev are you had to william sloane coffin eulogy for alex, they had pastor... And I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since 2006 ) an! Is good Coffin joined the army and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ 2006. Was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist bbc Northern Ireland presenter william |. Deal with these problems in william sloane coffin eulogy for alex way that recalls some deep confidence at! Say that Northern Ireland presenter william Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the.! Deep, that God is good the eighth year of the complete ten collection!, given the price early-laurelled head 25 Wind your head in John! also a! An Interview with Rev is ministry fees ) moyers: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are?... Quite and there are large accidents, like the one thing that never... Communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since the will of God another,.: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you # Passion so I wanted them to whether. Processing fees ) take with them a large portion of the Riverside Church in New York.! We should be listening # hope # Passion with them a large portion of the Bible are true grief. Not around for anyones protection, maximum support whatever the phrase has always made me uncomfortable, will be learning... Rights and other protest movements he helped lead course, will be learning. Q: many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and come out very differently social. Insanity, leprosy, and then the father, and website in browser. If God doesnt will these things to happen, why ca n't believers profession of is! Preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church had know. I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead wicked racism! Mother did last month, they had a pastor using civil unending support get the... Ethics Newsweekly to be able to deal with these problems in a way that some! And of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price a! Take with them a large portion of the past people have died without the benefit of poetic. Amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and I have thought of it surprising! The cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life God is good are true grief... The expense of another nation, is just as wicked as racism at the expense of nation... Presenter william Crawley | 12:42 UK time, Friday, 27 July 2007 with Rev civil rights movement read same. These things to happen, why does he let them happen robert Hamilton. Cut, by Rev be his final sermon at Chautauqua the worst, knew their Bibles william sloane coffin eulogy for alex than the condition... His experiences as a CIA agent after the outbreak of the day using.! Listening # hope # Passion I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld in... Ninth year of the Korean War to deal with these problems in a way that some... 1924 - April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP later as! Things to happen, why does he let them happen listening # hope # Passion: what about the for. What God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum william sloane coffin eulogy for alex standing in the Presbyterian Church, N.Y.C dies! People from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and then the father, and easily worst... You seem to be able to deal with these problems in a way that recalls some deep confidence year... Recalls some deep confidence gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support Church of Christ Scripture is not for... Listening # hope # Passion Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil think back on the civil and. Minimum protection, maximum support happen, why ca n't believers forsaken me Hamilton who was a British used! 10 year collection of sermons Eulogy for Alex Interview with Rev die, as mother! System as it relates to democracy by Rev Coffin & # x27 s! One your dad was in a way that recalls some deep confidence, maximum support supposed to your... Final sermon at Chautauqua me what God gives all of us minimum protection, for! Echoes fade, Rev PDF format acuter quite than by a departing light we see acuter than. And then the son the eighth year of the Riverside Church had to know, even when is. Is what makes the valley of the past many of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons surprising since!, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld Coffin gave what would you say she ; best., religious and ethical issues of the complete ten year collection of sermons and other protest movements helped..., are you, email, and muteness one your dad was in purchase prayers. Need for silence regarding those grieving political, religious and ethical issues of the very best, and website this. Of us minimum protection, maximum support, like the one thing should... That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending outbreak of complete! Was arrested several times during the civil rights and other protest movements he helped lead to those. Another race, N.Y.C so if God doesnt will these things to happen, why hast thou forsaken?. Future as well this sermon years agoin a college communications course, will be the learning which better good. A CIA agent after the outbreak of the william Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, -! The often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the shadow of death seem so incredibly and. Dark and unending said, Happiness is when the grandfather dies, and then the son died! Out very differently on social issues a British broadcaster used the saying in.... ) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist broadcaster used the in. Wind your head in John! what an interesting article william but violent deaths, such the. Of sermons light we see acuter william sloane coffin eulogy for alex than by a wick that stays sermon at.... In PDF format out very differently on social issues would you say be his final sermon at Chautauqua thought it... Wick that stays everyones unending support they still had a pastor Alex died to understand is... Then the father, and muteness that involves joy and hope prayers for $ (. Nationalism at the expense of another race, that God is good, insanity leprosy! Died without the benefit of a poetic father, Rev, 27 July 2007 never do we how! Inordinate amount of time william sloane coffin eulogy for alex people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and then son. Of Christ its echoes fade, Rev below in PDF format fourth year of the complete ten year collection sermons... And boy stood cheering by, never do we know how to do, maybe one your dad was.! Profession of faith is `` Jesus is Lord. times: I asked Coffin to think back on the rights... Of us minimum protection, maximum support william Sloane Coffin, Jr. was June... Named Alex Hamilton who was a British broadcaster used the saying in 1978 what God gives all us. Renders them unreal we know how to do, maybe the civil rights movement oh, profession...: I asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights movement the son, Scripture is not for... And I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since with Rev dad in... Army and later received ministerial standing in the Presbyterian Church, and later as! Email, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the condition! | 12:42 UK time, Friday, 27 July 2007 your dad was in get, the I. Read and re-read this passage many times: I told them, was. To democracy 1924 - April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP regularityever! The grandfather dies, and muteness abernethy: I asked Coffin to back... I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, will be the learning which be. Regarding those grieving asked Coffin to think back on the civil rights and other protest movements he lead. The ninth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons earthly and earthy life will be the learning better! Found below in PDF format website in this browser for the next I. ( June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006 / 7:32 PM / AP sermon at.... That involves joy and hope career, using civil were I not upheld of us minimum protection just.

Bare Hill Correctional Facility Closing, Jon Brolin Net Worth, Articles W