About My Good Friend from School Days, “Daniel.” - Mr. Elkanah Alagurajah

 

I am sending this Tribute/Eulogy for my school mate and a dear friend whom I met almost 60 plus years ago at Hartley College, Point Pedro, Sri Lanka. He was my classmate in HSC Class. He was one of the few who normally sat in front of the class and excelled in his studies. I like to talk about some of the attributes and qualities he exhibited at this young age. He was very polite, kind, helpful, spoke gently, and was patient. The Bible says the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control.

I can say with absolute confidence that Daniel exhibited almost all these nine attributes. Later when I look back on his life, I know that he was Faithful, Obedient to the word of God, Loving everyone and trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This is his upbringing from an early young age. Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old, he will not depart from it. I am the Ressurection and the Life: He that belieth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25.

Yes God has a plan for everyone. God, having realized that his faithful servant has fulfilled his mission on earth, has taken him back to live with Him in Heaven. Daniel is now with Jesus in a much better place where God shall wipe away every tear from his eyes, and there will be nor more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. Rev 21:4.

I am pretty sure he would have heard him saying, “Well Done, my Faithful servant, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith, and now enter the Kingdom of God. Daniel always believed and trusted God to do all things. Bible says I can do all things through Him who strengths me. Phil 4:13. Finally, I like to end with this Bible quotation. For to me, to live is CHRIST, and to die is gain. I like to consider this as a gain and not a loss as he is with the Lord and to the entire family. I am more than convinced that one day you all will be able to see Daniel in Heaven Face to Face.

In conclusion, I would like to simply remember Daniel as a decent man who helped others a lot and lived for others, quote Sir Winston Churchill once said “We make a living by receiving, but we make a life by Giving”, and Daniel did exactly that he gave much more than he received as his one and only son who is showing almost all his attributes said that his Father uses to tell him I am rich in Christ. Well Done, my Faithful Servant, Rest In Peace. Let us, as a tribute to Daniel, exhibit all these attributes be Loving, Kind and Forgive as Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Forgiveness must be part of our Life. God’s richest blessing be upon all.

Mr. Elkanah Alagurajah

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