Am I My Brother's Keeper

Am I my Brother’s keeper

By Bishop Dr. Perry E. Newton Sr.

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

And the Lord said unto Cain, where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper? And he said what hast thou done? The voice of thy Brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

And now thou art cursed from the earth which hath opened her mouth to receive thy Brother’s blood from thy hand.

When thou tillest the ground it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength, a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth…

Today, we are here to bury our dear brother Charles. He was a young man: only 27 years old. I recall him working along with Gabriel Pierre on this church as a helper. He was a good young man. He was respectful and he really liked me as a pastor. He would try to teach me creole and often times, when I would ride our church bus; he would be standing on the corner, and I would say Bon Swa Mesia Kejun ou ye; he will say m bien Pasture. We would exchange some words in creole and then I would dya na we pita and he will laugh and say na we pita Pastere.

I did not ride the bus for several days so I did not see him the evening when he was brutally killed by dangerous men.

Charles, loved life; he loved his mother and his sister and brother; he loved to laugh and he was a hard working young man. He is gone; his life snuffed out for no reason. But God is still in charge and God is always watching.

Today I want to speak to you for a few moments form Genesis chapter 4: 8-12

Cain talked with Abel his brother. This is how the scripture places it,and rightly so. But we know that Cain was envious of Abel his brother, because he was doing well. Because God was blessing him.

When we consider how Charles died, we recognize right away that someone was envious against him; someone wanted what he had; someone was angry with him; someone wanted to get even with him. Just like Cain killed his brother Abel; someone killed Charles, for no good reason.

But God, my friends knows exactly who killed Charles. God knows where they are right now even as we have come to bury him. I hear God asking that person the same question that he asked Cain: where is thy Brother Charles. Yes, God is asking the question of the one who killed Charles: where is Charles? God knows where he is, but he reminds the person and he brings him face to face with the wrong that he has done and requires that he say Lord, I have killed Charles and I am sorry.

But my Friends, like Cain the murderer is saying to God Am I Charles’ Keeper; I don’t know what has become of him.

But God Says; yes you do. You have killed him. I have a witness to this murder. Charles’ Blood cried from the ground. His blood testified that you killed him and the earth which opened its mouth to receive his blood is a witness, against you.

For this cause, whoever, has killed Charles is cursed. No matter how hard they work from here on in; they will not see the fruit of their labour as they have been cursed from the earth and have become a fugitive.

They will forever, be running from the law.

This morning I want to encourage the family; that this murder will be solved. God has this case in his hand.

Don not fret; don not worry because this case will be solved and very soon.

As I leave you this morning, I want you to know that Charles has gone on before us; but one day, we’ll all have to travel that same road. We hope that ours will not end in a tragedy like Charles’ but we know that we too will die one day.

For the bible say: it is appointed unto man once to die and after death comes the judgment.

Sis Nicole, I want you to know that God will take care of you, and he will wipe your tears from your eyes. Know that God understands what has happened and he will bring the guilty person to judgment.

Sisters and Brothers of Charles, friends, relatives; be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Charles was a good person; he was loves by many; but obviously there were enemies, who brought his life to an end.