It indeed would be folly to contend that man's creation would last longer than God's finest creation. The early men who roamed the earth and dwelt in caves, too, asked the question-If a man die shall he live again? They saw the plant life about them live and grow and die. They observed the short span of life for the animals. Death and disintegration seemed to be the order of things. As the early warrior fell to the earth the victim of either his enemy or of some mysterious malady, fear and doubt said to him— this is all; this is the end. Early man had for his only answer to the meaning of death a hope, a longing and a thirst for life that he could not explain. As time went on wisdom and reason justified that hope. We, whose presence on this earth has been in the latter ages, have been blessed with a knowledge and a faith that have been revealed to man by God himself. I would mention three pinnacles that stand out in the knowledge that has been imparted to man by God, and upon which our faith is built. About 25 or more centuries ago, Job pointed out the position of man and God when he uttered that profound inquiry, "What is man that Thou does magnify him?" We are heirs to a faith that teaches that man is different from the trees and the animals that inhabit the jungles. Man is created in the image of God. The individual is of great value. He has a function to perform in the scheme of things. Man is a spiritual being and life eternal may be his. It is the gift of God. About the time of Job the Psalmist reached another pinnacle in explaining the mysteries of life and death when he said: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For Thou art with me. The highest pinnacle of revelation of God's wonderful plans was proclaimed by Him who was heralded by a voice out of heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son." The Son of God said: "In my Father's house are many mansions." Before these revelations man could but hope-now he knew. Knowledge and assurances are the foundations of our faith. Our doctrines are not the precepts of men. In every age doubts will arise, and man will be prone to ask, "How can these things be?" That question is answered by millions who live by faith. The man who perhaps possessed one of the most brilliant minds that ever took part in the deliberations of the House of Representatives and the Senate spoke out on this. As death was drawing near, Daniel Webster wrote: Philosophical argument, especially that drawn from the vastness of the universe, in comparison with the apparent insignificance of the globe, has sometimes shaken my reason for the faith that is in me; but my heart has always assured and reassured me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be Divine Reality. The Sermon on the Mount cannot be mere human production. This belief enters into the very depth of my conscience. The whole history of man proves it. This is our Father's world. The sacred scriptures begin with the revelation of the truth that in the beginning God created heaven and earth and man. America's first charter of liberty, the Declaration of Independence, declares that we hold the truth to be self-evident that all men were created. Man was created for a purpose. Man lives for a purpose. Those whose memory we revere today have but taken an advanced position in the infinite plan and purpose of God; unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. May I say that you here today are not alone. We walk by faith. More than 600,000,000 people around the world, in addition to the millions who have gone before, cling to a common creed that begins with the stirring words, I believe in God: That creed goes on enumerating the pillars of our belief. The climax of the creed is the best. The crescendo of this declaration of the faith of the millions is-I believe in the life everlasting. Francis Stevens, musician, United States Navy, sounded taps, the echo being sounded by Frank Tiffany, musician first class, United States Navy. The Chaplain pronounced the following benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift upon you the light of His countenance and give you peace. Amen. The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the provisions of House Resolution 543, and as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the Chair declares the House adjourned until 11 o'clock a. m. tomorrow. Thereupon (at 12 o'clock and 58 minutes p. m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, May 15, 1952, at 11 o'clock a. m. |