Only minutes after I learned that Preacher Bingham had died, I wrote the following tribute to him.
“I am wounded. I will lay me down and rest a little while, and then I will rise up to fight again.” It is an ancient maxim that describes a gravely wounded soldier on the field of battle. A few days ago, we lost a brave warrior in our town. He never wore a military uniform, nor did he fight in some far away land. He never raised a weapon in anger, yet fought many, many battles. No doubt, oft times during the midnight hour, W.B. Bingham uttered these words, “…I will lay me down and rest a little while, and then I will rise up to fight again.”
He battled to uphold moral and spiritual principles. He often took the brunt of criticism from those who misunderstood his intentions. He weathered the storms of indignation brought on by those who felt he would somehow remove their illegal or immoral gain. He struggled for those who need an ally in times of trouble. He staunchly defended the principles he lived by, and indeed, died by.
Perhaps he had a vision for the world that others could not see as clearly. No doubt he was close to God. No one else with impaired vision such as his could have traveled about for so many years without the blessings and protection of Providence. Perhaps he could see the most important things in life even more clearly than those of us with perfect eyes.
Some soldiers make the military their career, and most retire after a time. He enlisted for a lifetime in the army of God. In his old age, he refused to leave the battlefield for a safe harbor. Only death could remove him from the spiritual front.
W.B. Bingham’s final battle was physical, and the circumstances are of record. What we may overlook is that just before the accident occurred, he was once again battling for those who were hungry, tired, lonely, or in spiritual despair. He attended to his duties of comforting the needy at Christmas time just as he had for many years.
Fallen soldiers are memorialized as a bugler softly plays Taps. Perhaps it is fitting to offer, as a last salute, the final verse of Taps to this spiritual warrior who dedicated his life making this world a little better: “Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is near.”
Earthly battles are done; you fought the good fight. Rest with God, Preacher Bingham.
Written by Chuck Owens 01 February 2004
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