One of my great, great grandfathers was Rev. William Erskine Reed. For many years, he lived and preached in Jackson County, Iowa. Recently, my sister was fortunate enough to find some information on him, including an old sermon. It amazes me that at the time he gave this sermon, there were no computers, no cars, no telephones, no recording devices of any kind, except the simple pen. Over 132 years later, the writings of a simple minister have survived and are available to the entire world on the internet.
This sermon is a fascinating glimpse into a simpler time, yet many of the basic issues contained therein remain the same today. Overall, it advises us to make the most of what we have, to nourish our spiritual side, as eventually, the “things” of the world will be “All Gone”.
Update: I have included this sermon, as well as other biographical and genealogical information regarding Rev. William Erskine Reed, at my genealogy forums.
“All Gone” by Rev. William Erskine Reed, Oct. 1878.
It is now thirty-six years since I settled in Fairfield Township, Jackson County, Iowa. The Indians then were quite numerous, so they frequented our house for the purpose of begging, and trading. One morning in june, (1844) before I had breakfast: a big, stalwart Indian made his appearance, but I saw at once he was up for trade: but as he had nothing with him but his gun, I was at a loss to know what he wanted to trade: but an Indian is never at a loss to know how to convey his ideas. He snatched up a piece of board that had a hole in it, and began running his finger to and from the hole, and at the same time going oo-oo-oo: trying to make a noise resembling bees. He had found a bee tree, it was a large one, (and he was too lazy to cut it down.) extending his arms out wide to show the size of the tree, he said, “big, heaps, heaps ommo, (honey) and he wanted to trade it for connabin and souah, (corn meal, and flour).
As I had not seen the tree, and knowing the “Ingins” to be a little trickey; it took us a long time to make the trade.
But finally we agreed; and he took his connabin and souah on his back, and started to sow me the tree. The trail then followed the ridge from the mouth of rock-creek where I was then living, to Hillyard’s ferry: near where the “Iron Bridge” is now. As we walked along I was before, and looking back I discovered a look of sadness, and I though also of revenge, on the red-man’s face; that caused me to feel a little suspicious: so I kept watching him closely. Every now and then he would cast a glance across the hills on rock-creek and mutter something I did not understand.
But as I had my gun and butcher-knife along, (as was customary for everyone to carry such weapons then.) I felt but little fear, as my gun never missed fire, and I was a dead shot. Finally he suddenly stopped, and squaring himself around with his face to the south, and pointing towards the head waters of Rock Creek, said: with deep emotion: +“Mocoman; Waungsheegra pocheeta; heaps, heaps pchucks.Waungsheegra heaps big: All Gone! Mocoman oah tschoosqunee noh.” (+ Whiteman, when I was young, deer was plenty on those hills; but now when I am old they are All Gone! Whiteman destroyed them: Poor Indian [unreadable] ve!) A tear started from the red man’s eye, but returned to its fount. His sorrow was too deep for tears.
It is said that there is nothing forgotten: it is only laid by, so to be called up by circumstances in after life; and verily, it is true. Paul says, “the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. The mind is not seen; and therefore it is eternal. And all the impressions made upon it, is for eternity; if they are never called up by circumstance in this life, they will sure to be in the next; and doubtless give us pain or pleasure.
All gone, ye, All Gone!
Coming past the same spot the other day, (which I have past thousands of times,) my mind reverted back to the scene just related: and it came up before me as vividly, as though it was the day it happened: and I began to recount the: ‘All Gones.’
As I had just come up a hill, as the road does not follow the ridge; I found my youthful vigor and elasticity, was: “All Gone.” And then remembering my old comrades, with whom I used to hunt and fish: and have had such great enjoyment.
“All gone. Alas! All gone.
And then to my scholars whom I tried to train up for useful lives; and they were ‘All gone.’ Those I tried to teach to sing the songs of Zion. “All gone.”
Those with whom I met to worship God. Alas! Alas! All G-o-n-e—
Where is the sainted Rowley, that officiated at the first funeral, (outside our own family,) that I was at in Iowa? Gone to Glory. Where is Butler, the Faithful? Gone to Kansas, soon to pass on to Glory.
These, two, old veterans of the Cross were ever ready with a Prayer, or, Exortation, whenever such services were needed: and were the seed of all the piety North Bend ever possessed.
Where are all the others that frequented the house of God, and confessed the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour, and took part in the divine worship of God? All Gone. Some to their reward: many moved away; and some are gone a fishing: and some alas! Have returned to the flesh-pots of Egypt.
Where is the prayer-meetings, Sabbath assemblies, and churches, that flourished in their day? “All gone.” The piety? All gone? Waungsheegra old. (tears)
The poor Indian was driven to leave the country of his birth, because the approaching white man had destroyed his only means of support. (the game.) Little did he think, when with joy he returned from the chase with the spoil, to his beloved Ennugra: (woman or wife.) that the day would soon come, when circumstances would compel home to leave his country; and the burial grounds of his fathers, and try the realities of the unknown.
All gone. Yes professor: you think your opportunities are very meager; and you are excusable for not improving them, they are so very small. But remember! You; are not to dispise the day of small things; and the day is coming when they will be, All gone. And the past opportunities unimproved will ever haunt you with phantoms of sorrow. Deep, sorrow.
“Be wise to day,” and imitate the Saviour, who was ever, and anon; going about doing good: setting us an example, that we should follow in his steps. And he loves to see his children following his example.
His command is, go work to day, in my vineyard; for now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation.
All gone! Yes, sinner; you are enjoying yourself now, in the active pursuits of life; and it may be in pleasurable sin.You do not feel now that there will ever be a change in your feelings and delights: you think that; that, that is pleasing, still will please, but you are greatly mistaken: the very things that gives you pleasure now; will be agonizing in age, death, and eternity. Desire shall fail. All gone; yes all the golden opportunities of embracing the Saviour, all the sermons, prayers, and exhortations will be all gone. The strivings of the Spirit, will be all gone; and you will be away down in the sink of a mis-spent life: beholding the rough wall which you have decended step by step, with only enough of the sun-light of heaven to show you plainly what you have lost: with all the acts of your lives; lost opportunities, and missimproved time, and talents, standing upon the brink of eternity – with a sorrow of heart too deep for tears – beholding with a shudder of deep emotion the abyss below; you will utter – All Gone!
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