31-26-1923 Friendly Advice from a Minister to the Servants of his Parish, . An Address to the Children attending the Schools at St. John's Early Piety Recommended, in a Discourse addressed to the Schools at St. John's Chapel-on Eccles. xii. 1, . Address to the Parishioners of Chobham and Bisley, 43 100 . 108 123 129 134 149 171 Reasons for Repose, addressed to a Christian subject to temporary alarms respecting the Truth of the Scripture, A Fragment, written in an Illness, in the year 1799, An Address to the Parents of the Children attending the Schools The True Patriot: a Sermon preached before the St. Andrew's and St. George's Military Association-on 1 Sam. xvii. 29,. 193 The Sword of the Lord: a Fast Sermon, preached before the Missionary Sermon, preached before the "Society for Missions Funeral Sermon for Rev. John Newton-on Luke xii. 42, 43, MISCELLANIES. A FRIENDLY VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF MOURNING. IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY CONSIDER.... Eccl. vii. 14. But to th' afflicted in his pangs their sound Little prevails: or rather seems a tune Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint, Unless he feels within Some source of consolation from above; Secret refreshings that repair his strength, YOUR present affliction, my dear friend, demands something more than the usual forms of condolence. Sorrow, which, like yours, cannot be prevented, may yet be alleviated and improved. This is my design in addressing you; and, if I seem to intrude upon your retirement, let my motive be my apology. Having felt how much "better it is to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting," (Eccl. vii. 2); having received my best Lessons, Companions, and even Comforts, in it; I would administer from my little stock of experience: and, while I thus endeavour to assist your meditations, shall rejoice if I may contribute, though but a mite, to your comfort. Were I, indeed, acquainted with the peculiar circumstances of your loss, I should employ particular considerations. But my present address can have only a general aim: which is to acquaint the heart, at a favourable moment, with its grand concerns; to give it a serious impression, when softened, and a heavenly direction, when moved. Let us, therefore, sit down humbly together in this House of Mourning. If "the heart of the wise be found" here, (Eccl. vii. 4) your experience, I hope, will prove that here also it is formed : -and let us calmly contemplate some momentous Objects intimately connected with it, and viewed with peculiar advantage from it. OUR GOD is the first of these objects: with Him we seldom form any close acquaintance till we meet him in trouble. He commands silence now, that He may be heard; and removes intervening objects, that He may be seen. A SOVEREIGN DISPOSER appears, who, as "Lord of all," hath only resumed what he lent; whose will is the law of his creatures, and who expressly declares his will in the present affliction. We should seriously consider that all allowed repugnance to the determinations of his government, however made known to us, is SIN; and that every wish to alter the appointments of his wisdom, is FOLLY:- 66 we know not what we ask." When GoD discovers himself in any matter, they, who know him, "will keep silence before him :" Hab. ii. 20. "Shall he that contendeth with the Al mighty instruct him?" How just was the reply! "Behold I am vile! what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth :" Job xl. 2, 4. This silent submission under trying dispensations, is variously exemplified, as well as inculcated in the Scriptures. An awful instance of sin and sorrow occurs in the family of Aaron: his sons disregarded a |