Homily by the Reverend Donald L. Hamer
Celebrating the Life and Ministry of
Lawrence Johnson Newhall
August 6, 2009

I want to thank Anne, Brooke, Cheston and Skip for sharing their remembrances of Larry with all of us, windows on their relationship as they shared a portion of Larry’s 92 years in this part of God’s creation.
 
A few days after Larry’s death the family gathered for prayer, for private remembrances led by Pastor Julie Newhall, who cannot be here with us today, and to commend Larry’s soul to Almighty God.  Ten months from now, on the anniversary of his death, we will inter Larry’s ashes with military honors in a family plot in Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania.  For today, we celebrate the remarkable and long life that was framed not only by family relationships but also by his life as a decorated veteran of World War II, by his avocation as a lover of history and of the English language, and by his profession as a professional teacher, administrator and, later, development officer on behalf of educational institutions.
 
Our lesson from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans and St. Matthew’s version of the “Little Apocalypse” provide us a broader context in which to reflect on Larry’s long and venerable life.  Both of these passages reflect on the trials and tribulations that are part and parcel of our earthly lives, but are really only the prelude to the eternal banquet God has in store for us when our life on this world is over.  St. Paul describes this entire earthly creation as “groaning” in this life awaiting the life to come:  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Unless he was sick or he and Gert were travelling, Larry was in church faithfully each Sunday, always early, always dressed in a suit or a jacket and tie, sometimes wearing his Veteran’s cap, always participating in every opportunity for continuing education, spiritual enrichment or Christian fellowship here at his beloved Trinity Church.  He knew what God had stored up for him, even though he himself was not perfect.  And that is at the heart of what St. Paul is talking about in this passage – that while we ourselves are creatures, and by nature imperfect, by God’s grace and mercy nothing can stand between us and the love of God in Jesus Christ – not even ourselves.  What’s more, because only God can be our ultimate judge, we who believe have the assurance of eternal life because the God who is our only judge is also our ultimate and biggest benefactor.  And so it is that Larry has now reached that point that St. Paul describes as “our adoption – to wit, the redemption of our body.”

The passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel goes on to talk about this redemption of the body in terms of the end times – a narrative St. Matthew borrows from St. Mark’s “Little Apocalypse.”  St. Matthew tells us that at that time, Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

One of the early church fathers, commenting on this passage, compares the vocation of teaching to the “feeding” and “clothing” of which Jesus speaks at the final judgment:

“This can also be said of teachers who gave the food of learning to those hungry for righteousness, so they might be fed and grow healthy in good actions; who administered the drink of truth to those thirsty for the knowledge of God.  Teaching in the Word, they certainly fed them and also gave to drink, baptizing in the Holy Spirit those who are strangers in the world.  For all souls are truly strangers on this earth who can say, “For I am your passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers.”  Preaching the word of faith, they welcome souls from the spreading of error and make them fellow citizens and family members of the saints.  They welcome Christ himself and clothe, by teaching righteousness, those who are naked and even without a garment of righteousness.
Homily, Complete Work on Matthew PG 56:944, p. 233, Vol IB, ACC

Matthew is not only painting a picture of Christ’s physical return in the end times, but in the context of the previous chapters in which he is describing pastoral care, guidance and encouragement in the Christian life.  Matthew affirms that the risen Christ is spiritually present with his church throughout its historical pilgrimage and mission.  Matthew affirms the transcendent lordship of the living Christ, whose words are not merely the remembered teaching of a dead rabbi, but words that carry truth to every generation and every place.

It is also rather clear from Matthew’s Gospel that while he expects this end time to come at some point in the not-too-distant future, the timing is not of ultimate importance to him.  What was of ultimate importance to convey to his audience was that followers of Christ must at all times be ready, whenever the time comes, and the importance of using the in-between time responsibly as disciples of Christ, living and sharing the Good News.  Living responsibly, living courageously, living according to a code of fairness and justice, living faithfully – these were touchstones of Larry Newhall’s life.

Addressing the alumni of Williams College in December 1871, United States President James Garfield paid tribute to outgoing Williams College President Mark Hopkins with the following words:

I am not willing that this discussion should close without mention of the value of a true teacher.  Give me a log hut, with only a simple bench, Mark Hopkins on one end and I on the other, and you may have all the buildings, apparatus and libraries without him.
Address to Williams College Alumni, New York, December 28, 1871.

Larry Newhall touched and helped to form many lives in his 92 years.  During his illustrious career, he was the man at the other end of the bench, whether it was in the classroom with individual students or guiding an entire institutional faculty, student body and their families, alumni and friends.  He clothed and fed others intellectually, spiritually, morally, and his code is summed up in a little prayer that was one of Larry’s favorites.  I haven’t been able to determine its origin, and I rather suspect that if it was not by Larry’s own hand, that it bears his imprint.  As we remember and celebrate the life of the man, let me close with this prayer:

O God, we pray for the spirit of good sportsmanship, that passes from man to man, from generation to generation.  Help us to play life’s game faithfully and honorably, with good humour, steadfast courage, and kindly generosity.  Let us give friendship without stint; let us meet sadness without surrender; let us endure weakness without defeat.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

© 2009 by the Reverend Donald L. Hamer