The Portland Guardian, Monday 23 February 1920
(Victoria)

In Memoriam. LATE MR JOHN POMEROY. A memorial service was conducted at Wesley Church on Sunday evening as a tribute to the memory of the late Mr John Pomeroy, for many years a member of the church. There was a moderately large congregation. The pulpit was draped in mourning. The Rev. J. T. Pithouse was the preacher, and during the service special hymns were sung, and a lesson from Job read, in keeping with the solemnity of the ceremony. Special prayer was also offered up. The choir rendered an anthem. Taking his text from Job. ch 16. v 22 : "When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return," the preacher spoke of the various descriptions given of Man's immortality. In the New Testament it was described as a feeling of sleep, also as a journey. Our Lord had spoken of it as a journey. Christ had tasted death for every individual, and in neither the Old nor the New Testament was that said of anyone else but Christ. In comparison with the minor troubles that afflicted them, he asked what they would do when the greatest trouble came— when they were face to face with Death; as Tennyson said, when they " put out to sea," and, like a storm tossed mariner, were struggling in the billows ? How would they do in the swelling of the Jordan? But the journey was described as through a valley as well as through a river—" Though I pass through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil." This journey they must take alone. Their friends could only go with them to the brink of the river; they must sail alone. " Where are you going, and are you going alone ? said a little ten-year-old boy to his brother, who was dying of consumption. "What do mean ?" said the youth. "I mean, are you going away from home, and are you going alone ? I thought you would not go without me. The doctor came and said you would soon be gone." "I know now what you mean. I am going away, it will not be long before I go. but I cannot take you—you can come after. I am not going alone; a friend is going with me." That friend was Jesus, Who "sticketh closer than a brother." They might sail alone—and yet not alone. " Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff shall comfort me." This journey they might be called to take soon and suddenly; they had often had to take a journey suddenly. They knew not the hour they might be summoned to take that solemn journey. It might be early morn or at midday, it might be when the shadows of evening had gathered all around them. They might be roused at midnight. " Behold, the Bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to meet Him." The rich farmer they read of in the Book expected to live a long and happy life. That very night, after he had settled all his plans, he received a summons to take this journey. Job had expected death shortly, He said: " My breath is corrupted; my days are extinct; the grave is ready for me." Eternity was the bourn from which, no traveller returned. Once to die was the divine decree, and after death, the Judgment. There was uncertainty as to the time they might be called on to take the journey. But was it not the highest wisdom to prepare for it ? And was it not the greatest folly to neglect it ? But few took a journey without making some preparation for it. To Israel Christ said, " Prepare to meet thy God." But the preparation must be before the journey, for there was no power offered to the dead. It was said of General Gordon, who met his death in the Soudan, that when asked to go there he replied. " I am ready to go at once." So should it be with them when they were to pass on this journey from time to eternity. Paul said, " I am ready; the time ot my departure is at hand," He was ready for the journey. ' Ye shall be born again." " Except a man be born with water and with the spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God," The late Mr Pomeroy, the minister stated, was born in the county of Cornwall. He had resided in Portland for about 40 years and died at the age of 81. He had been a member of the Methodist Society for about 21 years. It was during the ministry of the Rev J. Collins that he was brought to Christ. Mr Collins had been conducting evening services, and it was at one of these that Bro. Pomeroy decided to serve Christ, having joined the church, of which he remained a faithful member, until be left to join the Church Triumphant. He had gone away from whence he shall not return. It was on the 11th of this month, at 11 o'clock, that he had received the call. A doctor bad been sent for and had come immediately and one hour after the doctor had left, Bro. Pomeroy closed his eyes and passed away peacefully. " Who next will go ?" the preacher questioned. They could not tell. They must prepare to meet their God.

Contributed by Judy Holman