Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/243

Rh strength. It matters not under what circumstances he comes, whether at midnight or in the morning; whether in a slow measured pace, or as quick as the lightning's flash, he walks "through the valley and shadow of death," calm and collected, fearing "no evil," for the "rod and staff" of his divine Master afford him unspeakable "comfort." "The sting of death" being extracted, he is enabled in grateful adoration to exclaim: "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Death to the pious may with great propriety be represented under the idea of sleep. 2. Because they then rest from all the toils and cares inseparable from this probationary state. As when evening comes on the labourer takes his rest, and forgets the toils of the day when he lies down to sleep, so at death, the faithful servant of God finishes his course of service, retires