I know how lucky I am! We chaired you through the market-place; Individual prayers and sermons can be purchased by clicking the cart icon next to each prayer or sermon title. The Theology of William Sloane Coffin Thursday, February 15, 2007 Moral lassitude Interview with Religion & Ethics Newsweekly August 27, 2004 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. And that's what happens to the horror of all those townsfolk. Every sermon constitutes a powerful reminder of his legacy-challenging the conscience of a nation. 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.. W. & J. Sloane was a furniture and rug store in New York City that catered to the wealthy. But the point is this. In my email signature, I have this quote by him: The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.. 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. Q: It must make you terribly frustrated to see all the things you think are wrong and not being righted, and not be able to play the part in leading those movements that you once did. Reprinted with permission of theWilliam Sloane Coffin Sermon Archive Project. If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. Man and boy stood cheering by, A powerful eulogy. I swear to you, I wouldn't be standing here were I not upheld. Lewis wrote, "They say 'the coward dies many times'; so does the beloved. Robert Browning Hamilton. Lovers and thinkers into the earth with you. Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible. Like A.E. There is no smaller package in all the world than that of a man all wrapped up in himself.', 'Prophets from Amos and Isaiah to Gandhi and King have shown how frequently compassion demands confrontation. That makes two of us. 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. "Human unity is not something we are called on to create only something we are called on to recognize." Last week my senior minister shared with me a sermon dated January 23, 1983 (Palm Sunday) written by William Sloane Coffin. The post A Eulogy for Alex appeared first on The Art of Manliness. Love without criticism is a kind of betrayal. William Sloane Coffin. 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. As for the theological issues, I agree with William on the need for respectful silence. I was impressed by the Amish last year when that young girl was killed. They are gone. By a departing light We see acuter quite Than by a wick that stays. Didnt the eagle find a fresh liver to tear in Prometheus every time it dined?. But the point is this. So if you want to know where God is in this or in anything, look for love., Your email address will not be published. RN: What do you think should be done strategically and tactically by the peace movement? Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. And decks the rays. This is the seventh year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. Ill say you dont, lady! I said. 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. Crowned with lilies and Laurel they go; but I am not resigned. 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. These prayers may be purchased separately but they are included in the actual sermons too. Have a think about the bigger picture!! When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death, Joan Halifax, Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs and Communicatoins of the Dying, How Can I Help? And I played all the hymns. And hold to the low lintel up In my case on the death of my wife they were summed up well in a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay entitled Dirge without Music. But left me none the wiser The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. RN: What about the Educational system as it relates to democracy? William Sloane Coffin Jr., was arrested several times during the civil rights movement. The silence of God over the cross is our model here. Listen to an interview with Rev. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. in 1949. Than by a wick that stays. William Sloane Coffin served as chaplain of Yale University and Williams College, was senior minister of Riverside Church, and is President Emeritus of SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. The Rev. We should be able to plumb the depths of sadness and rise to the heights of joy, even ecstasy, though at my age, its not too easy. If a week ago last Monday, a lamp went out, it was because, for him at least, the Dawn had come. It is incredible and very powerful. Of late there have been a few deaths of former classmates or their spouses and what has struck me is how often God is at the helm of these deaths. Some of the very best, and easily the worst, knew their Bibles better than the human condition. -- William Sloane Coffin. But left me none the wiser He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. 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. Anonymous- I think people are grieving because they're sad to see someone go. I swear to you, I wouldnt be standing here were I not upheld. And that's what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. I'm puzzled by all of this. You will also find a collection of his prayers that concluded many of his sermons. The civil rights movement: What do you remember with the greatest pleasure or what was the greatest lesson of it? Alex. --Robert Browning Hamilton. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. But when children die, they take away the future as well. 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? Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, In 1983, Dr Coffin's son Alex was killed in a car accident. And I wept and I wept. Coffin on defense issues from the Center for Defense Information; Read Coffin's eulogy for his son Alex; Relive the past with Rev. 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. What do you say to those people? Thursday, February 15, 2007. What an interesting article William 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. Because there are no rankling unanswered questions, and because Alex and I simply adored each other, the wound for me is deep, but clean. When a person dies, there are many things that can be said, and there is at least one thing that should never be said. 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 when children die, they take away the future as well. Q: We've been talking about a lot of big problems. I'm not a believer but at least I appreciate when people demonstrate that they actually believe in what they say they do. Theres something in the flight That clarifies the sight And decks the rays. Click the cart icon next to a sermon in the player below to add a sermon to your cart. That clarifies the sight Q: Many, many religious conservatives read the same Scripture that you do and come out very differently on social issues. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. When parents die, as my mother did last month, they take with them a large portion of the past. And thats what hundreds of you understood so beautifully. What should churches be doing in the face of whats going on in our country right now? @art-of-manliness / art-of-manliness.tumblr.com, Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. Realist- I'm struggling to understand how what you said relates to anything I posted above whatsoever. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyone's protection, just for everyone's unending support. And neer a word said she; A formula, A phrase remains.but the best is lost. And there are large accidents, like the one your dad was in. Instantly I was up and in hot pursuit, swarming all over her. But when children die, they take away the future as well. Of lads that wore their honours out, Editors note: Ten days after his son, Alex, drove off a bridgeand was killed in a car accident, Reverend William Sloane Coffin delivered the following sermon to his congregation at Riverside Church in New York City. William Sloane Coffin Jr. in 1987. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Still there is much by way of consolation. Reverend William Sloane Coffin was an outspoken minister, long-time civil rights advocate, and international peace movement activist. "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." I read through this with utter esteem for the sentiments therein and Will is right to say that those who speak in response to a tragedy like this they could learn much from this eulogy, which said it all, so very very well. Click the cart icon next to a prayer in the player below to add a prayer to your cart. Well, so I wanted them to know, they had a pastor. The document has moved here. 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 . You can stay up to date with Will & Testament via these feeds. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. was born to considerable wealth and social position on June 1, 1924, in New York City. 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. 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. Rev. Q: Many of us say, "Well, you know, I've got to work hard to support my family, I don't have a lot of time," or "I don't want to seem radical," or "I don't want to cause my neighbors to suspect I'm not fully patriotic." 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. These days, campuses are very concerned with religious pluralism. Details are given further below. As you look around the country today, I wonder whether you see an absence of commitment to great causes with great passion. William Sloane Coffin Jr. (June 1, 1924 - April 12, 2006) was an American Christian clergyman and long-time peace activist. Bill Coffin flourished here, in the cracked common clay of an earthly and earthy life. Read more. Another consolation, of course, will be the learning which better be good, given the price. And read the poems. 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. 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. This is the sixth year of the complete ten year collection of sermons. 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 worlds army of the bereaved. 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. Lewis wrote, They say the coward dies many times; so does the beloved. Quotes. The Coffin award is given in honor of the life and ministry of William Sloane Coffin, former Chaplain to the University and one of the 20th century's most significant religious leaders. They said it was god's will, that she is in heaven now and they moved on without the tearjerking remorse many who call them true believers in a faith feel. When its true and painful, say it softly, None of us have the right to avert our gaze. How do you separate patriotism from criticism? Rev. 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. Still there is much by way of consolation. #Firsts #Leap #Wings. 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. 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. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. 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. Why? 00:00 $ 75.00 Sermons from Riverside Church 1982 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. ABERNETHY: I spoke with Coffin about growing old. And early though the laurel grows Eyes the shady night has shut Never do we know enough to say that. William Sloane Coffin (2003) at Chautauqua Institution 1,555 views Feb 19, 2018 On July 20, 2003, Rev. I know. William Sloane Coffin Sr. (April 15, 1879 - December 16, 1933) was an American businessman. (Lord Byron). So if someone says, "Are you saved?" This eulogy from William Sloane Coffin following the death of his son offers words of wisdom and hope for those struggling with the tragedy in Connecticut. Only reverance can restrain violence - reverance for human life and the environment.". 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. Moved Permanently. William Sloane Coffin Jr. preached these Sunday sermons from the pulpit of the Riverside Church in New York City. View all William Sloane Coffin Quotes. That's 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." Q: Why do you think that is, in the country as a whole? William Sloane Coffin. God gave man dominion over the world at the beginning - and free will - and man so man has had the responsibility for his conduct since then, and for infecting all of creation with his sin. It seems to me for those believers who grieve, their religion brings them little more comfort than those who don't. The night after Alex died I was sitting in the living room of my sister's house outside of Boston, when the front door opened and in came a nice-looking, middle-aged woman, carrying about eighteen quiches. A Prayer by William Sloan Coffin Jr., 1983. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and later received ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. 18 Sourced Quotes. In other word, good patriots are not nationalists. Q: As you look back on everything you've done in your wonderful life, what are you most proud of? You gave me what God gives all of us minimum protection, maximum support. Coffin's son, Alex, tragic death in an automobile accident. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. But like God herself, Scripture is not around for anyones protection, just for everyones unending support. by Rev. See more stories about iPad, HBO, How-To. You blew it." These sermons were delivered from the pulpit at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. When you scroll down this page you will find all of Bill's Riverside sermons organized by year. And of course I know, even when pain is deep, that God is good. 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