Memorial Service - Charles Lim

"Precious memories, how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight,
Precious, sacred scenes unfold J B F Wright

What memories of times past! About 350 people met at Changi Corps Hall for the Memorial Service for our friend Charles Lim. I recall the day when he was born. I was a teen-ager at Balestier Corps (church) then. We were enjoying some fellowship there that day, 65 years ago, when a messenger came running to announce the arrival of a new baby to the Lim family - named Charles!

On 23 January 2015 while on a visit to America for the graduation of his son, Ian, Charles was promoted to Glory. He was cremated in the States and on Saturday 7th February we had a Memorial Service.

Charles' father was my Sunday School teacher when I, a five-year old, first joined The Salvation Army. way back in 1937. So I had very close association with the Lim family.

Charles had been helping out at the Peacehaven Nursing Home since his retirement. Madam Low Mui Lang, the Executive Director, a fellow Salvationist arranged for the Memorial Service.

The Central Corps band was invited to play at the Memorial. Some of the bandsmen from William Booth Corps joined the Central Band for the occasion. The family chose four of Charles' favourite songs - 'Onward Christian Soldiers,' 'Jesus loves me,' 'Pass me not O loving Saviour' and 'It is well with my soul.'

Representative speakers were Ian Lim the son, and Benny Tan a good friend for many years. Ben Soh Charles cell leader read the Scriptures.  Madam Low a fellow Salvationist led the meeting.

I was invited to give the exhortation and close the service in prayer and benediction. Then the folk adjourned to the Peacehaven Dining room to have lunch.

We thank God for the life of Charles Lim. We are assured by the promise of our Lord we shall meet him again in Heaven.

"Some day this earthly house will fall,
   And I no more as now shall see,
But this I know my All in All,
   Has now a place in heaven for me.

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story , saved by grace.