,transcribed from the #aheg ,thomas ,hatchard edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,,the ,,coming ,,night4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,sermon ,,preached ,,in ,,cromer ,,church1 ,,on ,,friday1 ,,june #ab1 #aheg1 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,edward ,,hoare1 ,a4,m41 ,,incumbent ,,of ,,trinity ,,church1 ,,tunbridge-,,wells1 ,on ,occasion of the ,death ,,of ,,miss ,,anna ,,gurney1 ,,of ,,northrepps ,,cottage4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,thomas ,,hatchard1 #ahg1 ,,piccadilly4 #aheg4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,macintosh1 ,,printer1 ,,great ,,new-,,street1 ,,london4 ,a ,,sermon4 ,,john ,,ix4 #d4 8,i must work the works of him that sent me1 while it is day3 the night cometh1 when no man can work40 ,,this week has been one of heavy sorrow to very many4 ,the neighbourhood has lost one who for many years has stood foremost in large-hearted ,christian benevolence4 ,the poor have been deprived of a kind friend1 to whose liberality they might ever resort4 ,the children have been bereaved of one who has for years been anxious to devote her attentive care to their early training2 and all who have ever needed a sympathizing friend have followed one this day to the grave as warm-hearted1 energetic1 and intelligent as is often to be met with in society4 ,her character is well described in some lines written by herself on the death of one she dearly loved-- 8,within this frame1 by ,jesu's grace1 ,high gifts and holy held their place2 ,a noble heart1 a mighty mind1 ,were here in bonds of clay confined40 ,and all this is now gone4 ,the spirit has taken its flight4 ,northrepps ,cottage is without its tenant4 ,the ruins of the body have been left this morning in the ruins of the little church1 and many a weeping heart has sent forth its unmistakable evidence of genuine and deep-felt sorrow4 ,but we may be quite certain that there is a wise unseen purpose in this bereavement4 ,not a sparrow falls to the ground without the ,father's knowledge1 and how much more may we be satisfied that 8precious in the sight of the ,lord is the death of his saints40 ,there are many of his dispensations which seem very dark to short-sighted men1 but they all have their sure purpose4 ,many and bitter were the tears shed at ,bethany when ,lazarus died2 painful and anxious the watchings of his affectionate sisters as they saw their dear brother growing worse and worse1 till all hope ceased1 and the struggle ended in his death4 ,yet all was for a gracious purpose2 as the ,lord ,himself said1 8,this sickness is not unto death1 but for the glory of ,god1 that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby40 ,many1 doubtless1 were the tears shed by the parents of the blind man whose case is described in our chapter4 ,many a heartache must they both have felt as they saw their dear boy in the midst of his companions1 but unable through his blindness to share their games or enjoy their pleasures2 but there was a kind purpose in that lengthened trial1 for as we read in verse #c1 it was permitted 8that the works of ,god should be made manifest in him40 ,so1 doubtless1 there is a sacred purpose in this present affliction4 ,it may be hidden from you1 but it is not hidden from ,him who has appointed it4 ,be sure1 all ye mourners1 that your tears are not for nought4 ,there is a needs be for the whole4 ,not a sorrow has ever yet been laid on any one of ,god's people from the very first1 nor ever will be laid on them to the end of time1 without some clear1 some gracious1 some wise purpose on the part of our ,god4 ,let us1 then1 endeavour in the sorrow for her death to learn the lessons taught us by the retrospect of her life2 and1 instead of simply deploring our loss1 let us strive to move a step forward in our own upward progress4 ,now1 in looking at her character1 the point that strikes my own mind more than any other is the fine1 vigorous1 persevering1 affectionate1 and unselfish use of time and talents2 and in studying this we cannot do better than take as our guide the words of our blessed ,lord1 8,i must work the works of him that sent me while it is day3 the night cometh1 when no man can work40 ,may the ,holy ,spirit bless the study of the passage to the salvation of souls and the glory of ,christ6 ,i4 ,the day4 ,the idea is to compare life to the daytime1 and the comparison is one as appropriate as it is simple4 ,the day is the time for intercourse2 the time when1 in the light of heaven1 we enjoy each other's fellowship1 and have all the lovely scenery of ,god's creation brought to the view3 and so it is with life4 ,it is the short and sacred season in which we are placed together in the flesh1 surrounded by those we love1 linked together by countless ties1 refreshed and cheered by happy intercourse4 ,in the daytime of life there ought to be the enjoyment of each other's love1 and the mutual fellowship with each other's interests4 ,and where1 ,i may safely inquire1 could be found a welcome more hearty1 or a greeting more affectionate1 than in ,northrepps ,cottage8 ,how many are there in this church that have experienced the warm cordiality of that hearty welcome that was to be found there on every occasion6 ,she might have been busy or at leisure1 at ease or in severe suffering2 but it made no difference in the real genuine pleasure with which she received you under her roof4 ,but the prominent point of the text is1 that the day is the time for work2 the brief period set apart for labour2 the chosen opportunity1 the short time in which it is our sacred privilege to be doing something for ,god and man--something to bring man nearer to ,god1 and something to bring down ,god's blessing in larger abundance upon man4 ,thus our various positions in life correspond with the various periods of the day4 ,there is the little child1 with its mind just opening and intelligence just dawning1 like the sun rising in the east4 ,there is the young man1 entering life full of energy1 hope1 and power1 with all his work before him1 corresponding to the morning period1 when the risen sun is summoning mankind to labour4 ,there is the middle-aged man1 with the advantage of half a life's experience1 and scarcely yet feeling the symptoms of decay1 like the sun at its height in the fulness of his meridian splendour4 ,and there is the aged ,christian1 with the grey hairs coming on upon his head1 with his strength diminishing1 but wisdom deepening and hope brightening1 with the greater part of life already past1 and an earnest desire that the short remainder should be well occupied for ,god1--corresponding to the gradual closing in of evening4 ,and then1 at last1 there is the bright conclusion1 when the soul is lighted up at the immediate prospect of his ,lord's presence2 when rest is taking the place of labour1 and triumph that of conflict2 so that there is all the beauty of a glorious ,christian sunset4 8,and when he comes nearer to finish his race1 ,like a fine setting sun he looks richer in grace1 ,and gives a new hope at the end of his days ,of rising in brighter array40 ,,ii4 ,the night4 ,our ,lord says1 8,the night cometh40 ,now1 there is something inexpressibly solemn in such a thought to the unconverted and unprepared2 for the night1 in such a case1 is the deep1 dark1 cheerless night1 that settles down on the wicked2 a night of black darkness1 and without one ray of light or hope2 a night in which there is not even one star visible1 nor the least encouragement from the most distant hope of morning4 8,to what end10 saith the ,prophet1 8is the day of the ,lord to you8 ,the day of the ,lord is darkness and not light40 ,oh6 that every unconverted man would consider well what is his own prospect when his sun sets1 and would make haste in seeking that blessed ,lord who can turn darkness into light1 and death into immortality and life6 ,but how different is the night to the believer1--to such an one as we are now called to mourn6 ,when the evening was closing in1 and the sun just setting1 she was not aware of her great danger1 and still thought she had strength to recover2 but when a dear friend thought it her duty to inform her that the time of separation was very nearly come1 her reply was that of calm faith and full submission1--8,let us then obediently receive it40 ,the truth was realized1 and accepted at the hand of ,god4 ,there is no real night in such a case2 or1 if there be1 it is like the night in the ,arctic summer1 in which the sun is always visible2 for such are never separate from ,him who is both light and life4 8,sun of my soul1 thou ,saviour dear1 ,it is not night if thou art near40 ,or it is like the night in the height of summer1 when the twilight of evening waits to welcome the dawn of morning1 and it is almost difficult to discover whether it is the past sunset or the coming sunrise that sheds a soft brightness over the heavens4 ,so1 throughout the believer's night-time1 there is continuous light till the morning dawns4 ,and then what a morning will it be6 ,the morning of resurrection1 the morning of righteousness1 the morning of joy1 the morning of the ,redeemer's triumph6 8,sorrow may endure for a night1 but joy cometh in the morning40 ,every tear will then be dry2 every anxious soul will then be satisfied2 every aching heart will then be healed1 and every care forgotten in the sweet peace of uninterrupted union with ,christ4 ,such is the night of the believer2 and therefore it appears only to deserve the name of night because it is the close of this world's working season4 ,angels1 not men1 do the work of heaven2 and they are sent forth to minister to them that shall be heirs of salvation4 ,but to the believer1 the characteristic of the heavenly state is rest4 ,the interval between death and the resurrection is a period of holy1 happy1 peaceful1 intelligent rest4 8,they rest from their labours1 and their works do follow them40 ,when the late lamented ,bishop ,weeks was entering on his most laborious mission at ,lambeth1 and when it was remarked to him that he would have hard work to carry out his plans1 his reply was1--8,but there will be plenty of rest at the end40 ,it is well to dwell on that blessed hope of rest2 it is well1 when the heart grows weary1 to know that there is repose in prospect4 ,that1 however1 is not the great lesson to be learned1 but rather this4 ,if that be the time for rest1 then this is the day for work2 and we must all make haste to seize the opportunity in its rapid flight4 ,i remember to have seen a card in the study of a friend1 on which it was written1 8,lost between the hours of sunrise and sunset a golden hour1 set in sixty diamond minutes4 ,no reward is offered for their recovery1 for they are lost for ever40 ,oh1 let not the precious time which ,god has given us be lost1 but rather at the close of each day let us each one put the question1 and put it honestly--,what has been done this day for ,god8 ,i had the great privilege of visiting the late ,mrs4 ,fry in her dying illness1 and she then said to me1 8,i believe ,i can safely say that1 since the time of my conversion1 my first thought on awaking has been1 what can ,i do this day for ,god80 ,would that all of us lived in such a spirit1 with a more constant thoughtfulness for our ,master's service6 ,for is it possible to imagine anything more deeply affecting1 than to see a man at the close of life with no effort made for ,him who has redeemed him by his blood8 ,there he is with his race nearly run1 and his opportunity almost over4 ,he has passed through life with time and talents2 with friends1 servants1 children1 under his influence1 and now what has he done8 ,he may have made his fortune1 acquired a reputation1 and filled his home with comforts2 he may have done well for himself1 and perhaps done well for his family2 but for his ,god1 for his blessed ,lord who has done all for him1 who has shed his own most precious blood that his sins might be blotted out--for ,him he has done nothing4 ,his day is almost over1 and he has spent it for himself2 his life is nearly run out1 and he has lived it for himself4 ,and now he is about to lie down and die2 but still all in himself1 with his hope in himself1 his strength in himself2 and that hope all vanity1 that strength all weakness4 ,how different is the end of him1 who when his sun sets is found well at work for ,god6 ,who can look back on the whole pilgrimage1 and though he discovers countless defects1 and is compelled to come before ,god with the prayer1 8,pardon the iniquity of my holy things20 is yet found in his harness--not rusting out1 but working out1 with the loins girt1 and the lamp burning1 and the whole man conscientiously consecrated to ,god6 ,now1 such was truly the case with our departed friend4 ,her eye was not dim1 nor her hand heavy even to the last4 ,even after the fatal illness had set in upon her1 she assembled the teachers and school-children of the place where she was sojourning2 and as disease advanced1 she said with characteristic energy to her faithful attendant1 8,if ,i go home ,i must do more for ,god1 and you must keep me up to it40 ,but there was no return in prospect2 her work was finished1 and she has entered on her rest4 ,,iii4 ,the work4 ,now1 the text teaches us at the outset1 that the work to which our ,lord referred was an appointed work4 8,i must work the works of him that sent me40 ,he was sent to carry out ,god's purpose1 and intrusted with an apostleship from the ,father1 to which apostleship he here refers4 ,in the same sense1 every individual has his apostleship or mission4 ,the trust may vary1 and no two men have the same mission4 ,one has money committed to him1 one time1 one stores of knowledge2 another family ties1 and another widely-extended influence2 but all have their work from ,god4 ,the master1 the servant1 the rich1 the poor1 the preacher1 the hearer1 the clergyman1 the layman1 the father1 the child--all have their mission2 and it is the part of the wise ,christian to endeavour to see clearly what that mission is1 and then to lay himself out for the work to which ,god has called and fitted him4 ,now1 ,i think that all who knew our dear departed friend must acknowledge that this was pre-eminently the case with her4 ,she was one who had her mission1 and endeavoured most faithfully to fulfil it4 ,she was intrusted with property1 and you all know what use she made of it4 ,she did not keep it as if it were her own1 but employed it1 as knowing that it was her ,lord's4 ,she was intrusted with time and fine talents1 and we all know how she used them4 ,remember her interest in foreign objects4 ,how great was her zeal for missionary work6 ,even in her dying hours1 she left her charge that #ejl4 be given to the ,mandingo ,mission1 a ,mission scarcely known in the ,church1 but which had been brought to her notice by a friend4 ,how steady and stimulating was her attachment to the ,bible ,society6 and how did her heart yearn to the very last over the wrongs and woes of ,africa6 ,never yet was there a more zealous and intelligent supporter of the great foreign enterprises of the ,church of ,christ4 ,but some persons are disposed to say1 ,why always think of ,africa1 and foreign lands8 ,why not turn your attention more to home8 ,in answer to which inquiry1 ,i would simply say1 that ,i believe it to be capable of the most indisputable proof that1 as a general rule1 the best friends of ,africa are the best philanthropists at home4 ,the fact is1 that ,christian love is expansive in its character1 and cannot be chained down to one locality4 ,and of this we have just parted with a noble proof4 ,she was zealous for ,africa1 but there was no neglect of her own neighbourhood4 ,let the fishermen all along the coast bear their testimony1 and it must be to her zeal and energy for their good4 ,let the lads who used to meet on ,sunday afternoons for instruction bear their witness to the reality of her ,christian perseverance4 ,let the young women of the village1 and the school children that were privileged to meet for instruction every morning at the cottage1 let them give their evidence1 and it must be to the most steady and affectionate perseverance for their welfare4 ,oh6 that these lessons may be now remembered6 ,oh6 that the voice may be listened to from the grave1 and that the seed so carefully sown may be found to spring up to present holiness and future blessedness in ,christ ,jesus6 ,nor was this limited to purely religious effort4 ,look back upon her deep interest in all that befell the shipping4 ,remember her energy with reference to her gun4 ,recall her energetic figure seated on the cliff in the midst of the storm1 to stimulate the efforts of those who were endeavouring to save the shipwrecked sailors4 ,recall all this1 and remember that it was done in the midst of physical infirmity and pain1 that might well have justified an indulgent consideration of self4 ,if any one might have claimed exemption from active effort it was she4 ,if any one might have pleaded disability it was she2 and her conduct is a noble evidence of the power of the heart to overcome the body1 and a splendid proof that faith and zeal never recognize impediments1 except as fresh incentives to energetic activity for ,god4 ,and now1 brethren1 all this activity is over4 ,she rests from her labours1 and her works do follow her4 ,but there is a great void left in this neighbourhood4 ,a gap is made and the responsibility of filling it is thrown on the survivors4 ,it is well1 therefore1 for us all to remember that our own night-time is rapidly advancing4 ,on how many well known to those here present has it already closed6 ,how many workmen for ,god are already in their rest6 ,let your mind look back to one of the ,meetings of the ,bible or ,church ,missionary ,society some fifteen or twenty years ago4 ,on how large a proportion of those who were then the active labourers has the night already closed6 ,there you might have heard that manly and energetic labourer for ,god1 ,sir ,fowell ,buxton1 in full vigour pleading for ,god and men1 but his night is come3 and my own dear father by his side1 full of sterling1 high principled1 ,christian zeal2 but his night too is come3 and the faithful pastor of the little flock at ,gresham1 always ready to take a part on such occasions1 but his night is come3 and our zealous friend from ,sherringham1 who rejoiced to co-operate in every such enterprise1 but her night is come3 and the two ,cottage ,ladies united in the strong bond of sisterly affection1 and acting together with a sacred unanimity for ,god1 but now their suns have both set1 they now rest as they once lived1 together1 and the night has closed in on almost the whole of that noble company4 ,but there were present likewise young men1 just rising into life1 and just beginning to put forth their powers2 and time has now done its work with them4 ,some1 indeed1 it has cut down1 so that their sun has set even at noon2 but for the most part it has had the effect of placing them where their fathers then stood4 ,their own brows are becoming furrowed1 and their own hairs grey4 ,they have already reached the afternoon of life4 ,the shades even of evening are beginning to appear among those who were then lads and listeners4 ,and now that they have been this day called to follow to the grave almost the last of a whole generation of faithful labourers passed away1 the lesson spoken to them from the tomb is surely that conveyed in the text1 8,i must work the works of ,him that sent me1 while it is day3 the night cometh1 when no man can work40 ,but in speaking of this sacred work we must not lose sight of the paramount importance of a personal work in our own soul4 ,it would be1 indeed1 an awful thing to be compelled to acknowledge1 8,they made me the keeper of the vineyards1 and mine own vineyard have ,i not kept20 to preach to others1 and yet oneself to be a cast away2 to work as a philanthropist1 and perish as an unconverted man4 ,we should take1 therefore1 a most imperfect view of the subject1 if we were to neglect the consideration of the personal work within4 ,and this we ought to carry through all departments1 for ,god has given to each man certain powers1 and these should be improved4 ,we are not at liberty to leave neglected the high gifts which ,god has given us4 ,the intellect which ,god has bestowed should not lie dormant4 ,and ,i cannot but think that we have parted with a noble example in this respect4 ,how vigorous was her spirit of self-improvement6 ,how stimulating was her influence on all who came within her reach6 ,how urgent she was with young men that they should aim high1 and not sit at ease satisfied with inferiority6 and what a fine example did she herself set them6 ,what a contrast did she present to the listless1 fanciful1 and indolent novel reader upon the sofa6 ,how manfully did she grapple with one language one after another6 ,i cannot enumerate those that she had acquired1 but this we all know that she qualified herself to become the valued correspondent of the first linguists of the day2 and now1 if1 beside her grave1 we could have breathed a wish of such a kind1 it would have been that she could have left us1 as a legacy1 some small fraction of the rich stores of her accumulated knowledge6 ,but it is not merely an intellectual work that has to be considered1 for1 after all1 what are all intellectual acquirements if we be not in ,christ8 ,nay6 we may extend the question further and inquire1 what would all our labour in such a case avail us before ,god8 ,and if we be not forgiven in ,christ ,jesus how shall any one of us stand in his presence8 ,can intellect justify8 ,can talent justify8 ,can self-improvement justify8 ,nay1 more1 can philanthropic effort justify8 ,can benevolence justify8 ,can religious activity justify8 ,can energetic labour for ,god justify8 ,beautiful1 indeed1 are all such things when springing forth as the rich fruits of heavenly grace in the soul of the justified believer2 but nothing better than filthy rags if employed as a covering for the dark moral guilt in the soul of the sinner4 ,no1 brethren6 ,if the inquiry is made1 how must the soul be saved8 ,how can the sin be blotted out8 ,how can the sinner stand justified in the ,lord's presence8 there is but one answer1 and that is1 it must be in ,christ4 ,no intellect and no activity will ever lift us above the old promise1 8,believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt be saved40 ,all our hope is in the substitution of the sinless ,saviour for the sin-stricken sinner1 in the transfer of guilt from the guilty criminal to the guiltless substitute2 and if a man be a stranger to ,christ1 though he have all the philanthropy of a ,howard1 or all the intellect of a ,newton1 he will be found condemned before ,god for the inherent corruption of his heart and character4 ,well1 therefore1 does the ,apostle urge us to 8,work out our own salvation with fear and trembling1 for it is ,god that worketh in us to will and to do of his good pleasure20 and most earnestly will every wise man pay good heed to the inquiry1 ,am ,i in ,christ ,jesus8 ,am ,i born again of the ,spirit8 ,is my name written in the ,lamb's book of life8 ,am ,i now pardoned through ,his blood8 ,am ,i justified through ,his righteousness8 ,and am ,i prepared to meet ,him in ,his kingdom8 ,now this hope was the turning point in the character of our departed friend4 ,after she had been informed that her end was close at hand1 her faithful attendants began to read to her some of the promises of the ,gospel1 in the hope of assisting her faith through her last struggle4 ,but she preferred silence1 and replied1 8,i have them40 ,who can wish more for his dying hour than to be able to say1 8,i have them08 ,for the words imply not merely that she had them in her memory1 but that she had them to reveal ,christ to her soul1 and so to bear her up through her last struggle4 ,happy that soul who is so possessed of the promises that he has ,christ as his glorious hope in his dying hour6 ,and now1 dear brethren1 to conclude4 ,i am speaking to some of you at the very outset of your career4 ,your sun is only now rising in the fulness of its morning beauty4 ,you have1 possibly1 the greater part of life before you1 some forty1 fifty1 sixty years to be spent either for the world or for ,god4 ,oh6 dear brethren1 let the whole of that vigour be consecrated to ,him4 ,leave it not to old age1 then to hand over the refuse of your powers4 ,but now1 in your youth and in your vigour1 remember the call of ,him that has redeemed you by ,his blood1 and let the prime of your life be a freewill offering to your ,lord4 ,or possibly ,i am speaking to some old men who have but a little time left2 honoured fathers in the family of ,god2 men whose sun is sinking brightly1 but still rapidly1 in the west4 ,and what shall we say to such8 ,oh6 dear brethren1 we would speak with the utmost respect and reverence1 but1 bear with us while we remind you that it is but a little time that remains2 but a very few more winters and then the sense of loneliness will pass away in the society of heaven1 and the pang of the wounded heart will be for ever healed by the leaves of the tree that we know are for the healing of the nations4 ,hold on your way1 then1 for that little time with a good courage4 ,let a bright hope sustain the failing eye1 and the ,lord's right hand give vigour to the faltering step4 ,the rest is at hand2 the privilege of labour is nearly over2 let no time1 then1 be lost in the service of our ,god1 but1 if the power be less1 let the zeal be greater than ever in the holy efforts to be faithful servants to your ,lord4 ,but why do we speak of different ages as if they secure to us different periods of labour1 for who can say how short his time is8 ,there may be many here who may never hear another sermon1 as ,i myself may never preach one4 ,you may single out the powerful young man with his broad chest1 and open forehead1 and powerful arm1 who may think himself safe for many years to come1 but who can say that ere a week closes1 there shall not be another funeral procession1 and that young man1 notwithstanding all his strength1 be borne by his sorrowing friends to an unlooked-for grave8 ,you may note some middle-aged man in the full vigour of midday life1 who now thinks only how he may maintain his wife and family2 but let him remember that ere another ,sabbath dawns1 that wife may be a widow and those children fatherless4 ,oh1 dear brethren1 remember1 ,i beseech you1 how short your time may be1 and take heed that when the day closes1 you may be found in ,christ6 ,the door is open to you now4 ,the invitation is open to you now4 ,the promises of the ,spirit are presented to you now4 ,all the rich gifts of the kingdom are offered now without money and without price4 ,nay1 more than that1 you are now invited1 urged1 entreated to accept them4 ,but the night may come and the door be shut to-morrow4 ,hearken1 then1 ,i beseech you1 ye that are still unconverted sinners1 ye that are still without ,christ4 ,hearken1 ye that are still strangers to peace1 and may ,god grant you such a sure salvation in ,him that you may be able to say1 whenever the day closes1 8,to me to live is ,christ1 and to die is gain60 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,macintosh1 ,printer1 ,great ,new-street1 ,london4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author1 ,the ,,scriptural ,,principles of our ,,protestant ,,church4 ,price #cs4 ,hatchard4 ,the ,,time of the ,,end4 ,price #as4 #f;d4 ,hatchard4 ,the ,,communion and ,,communicant4 ,intended for ,inquirers respecting the ,lord's ,supper4 ,price #d;d4 ,hatchard4 ,the ,,jesuits4 ,jackson4 ,,baptism as ,,taught by the ,,bible and the ,,prayer-,,book4 ,wertheim4