The Thought Today 13/08/12 True Valour See - Rev. Cornelius Matthias Harry St.

Mark 16:14 - 22
Early this morning, as I prepared some land for some cucumber vines, before heading off to work, my thoughts went back to a momentous occasion yesterday when we bid farewell to Reverend Cornelius Harry and his wife Auntie Cecile. We also bid farewell to Rev. Caliste and Rev. Yashel Watson, two ministers in training who, after a time of working in our spiritual vineyard, were returning to studies at UTCWI in Jamaica with new perspectives and clearer ideas of their roles and mission in shepherding the people called methodists in the South Caribbean lands. At a time of joy and sadness, we paid our respects and gave tributes to the contributions of those who we were sending to other mission fields. As for Rev. Cornelius Matthias Harry, he is heading to Tobago for a new Station in September. I listened to the many true and glowing tributes to a man who never failed to keep a preaching appointment in twenty seven years of ministry as a local preacher and fully accredited Methodist Minister in the Mt Coke to Georgetown Circuit. Through sickness and pain, he was as reliable as the flow of sea to shore. Indeed, I smiled when one speaker described him as Committed, Optimist, Reliable, Noble, Effervescent, Loving, Inspiring, Unassuming, Supportive CORNELIUS. I heard him described as a veritable tower of strength in our methodist communities and a man who in his time played several parts - school teacher, farmer, Youth Worker, indefatigable preacher, pillar of the community, organiser and Director of Annual Methodist Youth Camps, mentor of Courtney Williams (our representative sprinter at the London 2012 Olympics) and others, too numerous to mention. With a calm yet serious demeanor, he has shown us, with his life, an example of the highest Christian Virtue in action. Like Elijah and Elisha, I listened him recall Rev. Victor Job (who shared the platform with him yesterday) telling him, nearly thirty years ago, of the Methodist Churchs need for local preachers. He answered the call and became a blessing to a community and generation. Whilst he is well known for the depth of his preaching, his involvement with the Methodist Youth Camps, outings, and fund raising Boat Rides is also legendary. As I considered the imminent departure of my spiritual brother to a new mission field, the words of the well known hymn by John Bunyan came to me Who would true valour see, let him come hither, One here will constant be, come wind come weather. Theres no discouragement, shall make him once relent, his first avowed intent to be a pilgrim. That writer, had he known Rev. Cornelius Harry, would have said, there goes a man of whom I speak, who will not fear what men say, but will labour night and day, to not only be a pilgrim but also to lead others to be pilgrims on the Christian way. As I pondered his valour and contribution to our lives, I recalled Jesus story of the mustard seed and his admonition to us that, if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we will be able to say to the mountains in our lives be ye cast cast into the sea. Rev. Harrys journey among us has shown the quality of spirit which leads to sermons preached without fail, children led in a right path and enduring memories of loving service which lifts one and others, above and beyond the call of selfishness, to a healing care of a brother, sister, neighbour, stranger or friend. With his characteristic love of youth, he who led the annual youth camps for years implored us to never let the Annual Youth Camp ministry die. May the same Spirit of God in our brother and friend also lead us to also our own true valor see Today Ashley R Cain (As You Care, Share The Thought Today)