Fragrant is the blossom. Thousands of people have died without the benefit of a poetic father! 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. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born June 1, 1924, in New York City. So. Coffin about his experiences as a Freedom Rider from NPR; Read a transcript of an interview with Rev. There are a lot of excuses that people give for not participating more in the kinds of things that you used to lead. We see acuter quite The one thing that should never be said when someone dies is "It is the will of God." Above all, he condemns what he sees as the country's self-righteousness. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. Required fields are marked *. Than by a wick that stays. And [a lot of people] think that emotional mediocrity is the good life. Lewis wrote, They say the coward dies many times; so does the beloved. in 1949. (There's words for everything else.) 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. 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." Is that so hard to understand? And his body was too badly damaged in the accident for his soul to stay in it anymore, and so he died. William Sloane Coffin was a man with a wild career: he fought in World War II, worked for the CIA after the war, became a "man of the cloth", was thrown in jail as a civil rights marcher with Dr. Martin Luther King, and was an academic, author, and an activist. Coffin questioned authority throughout his career, using civil . 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. The prayers are presented in several multi-year collections. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. The recipient of the Coffin award will be someone who shares Coffin's passionate and prophetic witness, a courageous devotion to the dignity and worth of . What should churches be doing in the face of whats going on in our country right now? God did not bash the truck into your fathers car. MOYERS: Youre not supposed to outlive your children, are you? And set you at your threshold down, That is what makes the valley of the shadow of death seem so incredibly dark and unending. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. 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. This is the last year of the complete 10 year collection of sermons. And Christ spent an inordinate amount of time delivering people from paralysis, insanity, leprosy, and muteness. Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. It is difficult to know how to theologise about a tragedy of this order without descending into cliche, trivialisation or offensiveness. Updated February 2023. Just click the play button. 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. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. W. & J. Sloane was a furniture and rug store in New York City that catered to the wealthy. This invaluable anthology is the first and only collection dedi 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, a former Yale University chaplain known for his anti-war and peace activism, dies at the age of 81. I was first introduced to this sermon years agoin a college communications course, and I have thought of it with surprising regularityever since. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. Alex. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. Apr 17, 2014 at 12:00 am. For some reason, nothing so infuriates me as the incapacity of seemingly intelligent people to get it through their heads that God doesn't go around this world with his fingers on triggers, his fists around knives, his hands on steering wheels. 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. The Rev. Hello Select your address #Hope #Passion. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. Listen to an interview with Rev. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. tragic death of at least 26 Polish pilgrims, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Jonathan Merritt and the ethics of "outing". Cannot see the record cut, Below you will find one of my favorite sermons "Preached from the Piano Bench" at Riverside Church. RN: Any comparisons between the domestic opposition to the Iraq War/Occupation with the domestic opposition to the Vietnam War? Runners whom renown outran But when children die, they take away the future as well. William Sloane Coffin's Eulogy for Alex 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. William Sloane Coffin challenged the nation with his passionate calls for social justice. And that's what happens to the horror of all those townsfolk. Rev. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. By a departing light RN: What about the Educational system as it relates to democracy? How much suffering? This website is the home of the William Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. Eyes the shady night has shut As the . And the Emperor said, So? So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind. In his younger days he was an athlete, a talented pianist, a CIA agent, and later chaplain of Yale University, where the influence of Reinhold Niebuhr's . Jim Antal, a Norwich resident who advises the president of the national United Church of Christ on climate change, will deliver the inaugural William Sloane . "Eulogy for Alex" by William Sloane Coffin How are you able to look at the world as it is and still have the capacity for feeling joyful? "Human unity is not something we are called on to create only something we are called on to recognize." 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.. Rev. The still-defended challenge-cup. Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, The scripture reading for each sermon can be found below in PDF format. Do you think about that? Yes, but at least, "My God, my God"; and the psalm only begins that way, it doesn't end that way. 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. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. Rev. So while trite, it's true: I walked a mile with Pleasure, But I think much of our exasperation could be tempered if we could see our lives more from God's perspective than our own. 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's social philosophy led him to . William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. 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. Its presence in my mind has been so frequent, especially recently after the loss of a dear friend, that I finally decided to share it here. Quotes, as voted by Quotefancy readers. There's something in the flight But it's a fact: few of us are naturally profound. The civil rights movement: What do you remember with the greatest pleasure or what was the greatest lesson of it? I'm always puzzled at these Moslem women who wail like Banshees when their terrorist sons are killed as what they believe to be martyrs. We chaired you through the market-place; These sermons were delivered from the pulpit at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. You can stay up to date with Will & Testament via these feeds. Thats why immediately after such a tragedy people must come to your rescue, people who only want to hold your hand, not to quote anybody or even say anything, people who simply bring food and flowers the basics of beauty and life people who sign letters simply, Your brokenhearted sister. In other words, in my intense grief I felt some of my fellow reverends not many, and none of you, thank God were using comforting words of Scripture for self-protection, to pretty up a situation whose bleakness they simply couldnt face. While the words of the Bible are true, grief renders them unreal. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1987. He liked it here. And home we brought you shoulder-high. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. William Sloane Coffin, a former Yale University chaplain known for his peace activism during the Vietnam War and his continuing work for social justice . From fields where glory does not stay, 10 54 quotes from William Sloane Coffin: 'Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are. But oh, the things I learned from her The Collected Sermons of William Sloane Coffin By William Sloane Coffin Book Review An impressive collection of sermons by William Sloan Coffin delivered from 1977 to 1982. Letters to a Young Doubter By William Sloane Coffin Book Review Letters by the inimitable Christian progressive on faith, doubt, Jesus, and the insanities of a world awash . RN: Why do you think most of the anti-war groups stopped their marches in 2004 and became quiescent compared to 2003? Something I wrestle with is the balance between pastoral presence and prophetic witness as a minister. I have a little sentence or two, about the Chinese Emperor who sent his wise man off for a month, to figure out, what is happiness? You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. The reality of grief is the absence of God "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. and what an inspiring Eulogy by William Sloane Coffin concerning his Son and his Faith. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To-day, the road all runners come, 5 It is incredible and very powerful. 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. "The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love." --- William Sloane Coffin. And, in spite of all of this, God is wherever love can be found. I feel scorched by how much he insists on truthfulness in grief. And round that early-laurelled head 25 Well yes this is all very well but why, then, do Christians _thank_ God when something goes right. The cause of violence is not ignorance. 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. And silence sounds no worse than cheers 15 We have to be forced down. 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. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. 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. 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. As his younger brother put it simply, standing at the head of the casket at the Boston funeral, "You blew it, buddy. I was impressed by the Amish last year when that young girl was killed. Download free, high-quality (4K) pictures and wallpapers featuring William Sloane Coffin, Jr. He was 81. . The more we love the bigger we are, There is no smaller package in the world than a man all wrapped up in himself.. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. RN: What do you think the churches and the National Council of Churches should be doing that they are not now doing regarding the war-occupation? After the death of Coffin's father in 1933, the family moved to Carmel, California, where William attended public school until the ninth grade, when he attended Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. And ne'er a word said she; I did grief work. Additionally, a 301 Moved Permanently error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. RN: How is Vermont a model in this respect? The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love. As for the theological issues, I agree with William on the need for respectful silence. Lewis wrote, They say the coward dies many times; so does the beloved. These prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the actual sermons too. William Sloane Coffin Compassion, Sentimental, Individual William Sloane Coffin (2004). Coffin on defense issues from the Center for Defense Information; Read Coffin's eulogy for his son Alex; Relive the past with Rev. After one year at Yale, Coffin joined the U.S. Army, in which he served until 1947, when he returned to Yale, graduating with a B.A. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. 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. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. I went right away to the piano. I mentioned the healing flood of letters. The time you won your town the race Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible., I love the recklessness of faith. I'm not a believer but at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say they do. 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. Robert Browning Hamilton. 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 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. very good question Anne. After the tsunami, some Moslem clerics said it was god's punishment for their sins. God does not spill milk. This is beautiful!!! The Blessing of Grace by The Rev. When she saw me, she shook her head, then headed for the kitchen, saying sadly over her shoulder, I just dont understand the will of God. Instantly I was up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. 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? 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. Shoulder-high we bring you home, He was ordained in the Presbyterian church and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. I'm sure there must be something somewhere in the Bible which says words to that effect. By a departing light This is the tenth year of the complete 10 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. Tony Campolo retells an incident involving William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son, Alexander. But the things I learned from her I know that. BBC Northern Ireland presenter William Crawley discusses the often controversial political, religious and ethical issues of the day. Different cultures have different views of death. 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. Townsman of a stiller town. Get All Beings Everywhere delivered to your inbox. You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. The post A Eulogy for Alex appeared first on The Art of Manliness. A powerful eulogy. 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. This album is a collection of prayers from the end of the sermons; 1977-1979. Theres something in the flight All too often we speak when we should be listening And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. And the folks in Riverside Church had to know whether or not they still had a pastor. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. Well, that really is selfish and here I thought some believers like Christians are supposed to be charitable. But violent deaths, such as the one Alex died to understand those is a piece of cake. It is truly a labor of love (a lot of labor; a lot of love) to digitally "Save Bill's Voice." Delivered from the Riverside Church pulpit over his ten years as senior minister, there were over 300 sermons in need of archiving to a digital format. 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