"It is but a few months since he who now lies before you in silence of death, left us in all vigor of life.....If it had been told us that death would so soon take away one of our number, who would have looked upon him as that one? But the blow has fallen upon him-perhaps I should not say upon him; for he is not the afflicted one; it is the living hearts that feel, while he has passed beyond the sorrows...of earth.....But when, through the leadings of this Providence, our pathway lies along by the side of the tomb, and our friends are taken away from us by death, it is natural that the stricken heart should inquire what their condition is, and what is their future prospect. Paul well knew that bereaved hearts would be sorrowful....Hence he approaches this subject and says:... brethern, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13) Job puts the question direct: If a man die, shall he live again? This is the very question at issue; and he answers it in the language that... follows: All the days of my appointed times will I wait till my change come. (Job 14:14) ... Thus all our inquiries are answered. The state of the dead is revealed unto us."
