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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1c07dd --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63770 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63770) diff --git a/old/63770-0.txt b/old/63770-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index aa6f186..0000000 --- a/old/63770-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1095 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Christian serving his own generation, by -John Alexander - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: The Christian serving his own generation - A Sermon occasioned by the lamented death of Joseph John Gurney, Esq. - - -Author: John Alexander - - - -Release Date: November 15, 2020 [eBook #63770] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRISTIAN SERVING HIS OWN -GENERATION*** - - -Transcribed from the 1847 Josiah Fletcher edition by David Price. - - - - - - THE CHRISTIAN SERVING HIS OWN GENERATION. - - - * * * * * - - A SERMON - - OCCASIONED BY THE LAMENTED DEATH OF - - JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY, ESQ., - - AND PREACHED IN - - PRINCE’S STREET CHAPEL, NORWICH, - - ON - - SUNDAY EVENING, JAN. 17th, 1847, - - BY JOHN ALEXANDER. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CONGREGATION. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - NORWICH: - PRINTED BY JOSIAH FLETCHER, UPPER HAYMARKET; - SOLD ALSO BY - JARROLD AND SONS, LONDON STREET; - LONDON: JACKSON AND WALFORD. - - 1847. - - * * * * * - -_The following sermon_, _which the Author composed and preached without -the slightest intention of publishing it_, _and which he prepared for the -press at the bedside of a dying son_, _is now presented to his -congregation_, _in compliance with their earnest request_; _and to the -public_, _in the hope that they will mildly censure its defects_, _and -that they will imitate the example of Christian excellence which it -describes_. - -_Some additional extracts from Mr. Gurney’s works are now inserted_, -_which were omitted in the delivery of the discourse_. - - - - -A SERMON. - - - ACTS XIII, 36. - - “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of - God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers.” - -THERE are, as you will readily perceive, several interesting points of -resemblance, between David, here spoken of, and our beloved and honoured -friend, whose lamented death has occasioned this discourse. Both of them -became religious early in life; and consecrated their youth to the God of -their fathers. Both of them were men after God’s own heart; who, in the -midst of human infirmities and imperfections, reverenced the divine -authority, looked for pardon and salvation to the divine mercy, and -esteemed the divine loving-kindness to be better than life. Both of them -had the tongue and the pen of a ready writer; and said much, and wrote -much, for the edification of the church of God. Both of them contributed -largely and cheerfully of their own property, for the support and -extension of the cause of God and of true religion. Both of them, when -brought into various tribulations, found it good to be afflicted, and -made the everlasting covenant of their God, all their salvation and all -their desire. And of both of them it may with propriety be said, in the -language of our text, “They served their own generation by the will of -God; they fell on sleep; and they were laid to their fathers.” There are -also, as you are aware, some points of difference between them, as well -as of resemblance; to which, however, it is not needful to refer -particularly; especially as I am desirous to direct your attention, in -this discourse, not so much to specific instances of resemblance between -these holy men, as to the beautiful accordance which there is between the -description given in our text, and the life and character of Mr. Gurney. -There are indeed various terms by which he might be appropriately -designated; yet the one which is used in our text, though in some -respects the humblest, is perhaps the best. He was _a servant_; and till -he fell asleep in death, and was laid unto his fathers, he was employed -in serving his own generation by the will of God. I think that all who -were acquainted with him, will acknowledge that his whole life was -service; service as opposed to selfishness, and idleness, and -injuriousness; service done for God, on behalf of the church and the -world; and service which he was prompted to undertake by Jesus Christ his -Lord and Master, and from the exercise of which he became eminently -beneficial to society, and eminently holy and happy in his own person. -As he was, to a great extent, a public man, well known not only to you -who compose this numerous congregation, but to most of our -fellow-citizens, and to many of our fellow-countrymen, I may without -impropriety speak of him more freely and more fully than I would speak of -a more private individual; and especially as I am desirous that his -character and conduct, as a christian servant, should be clearly and -influentially perceived by us all; that by the grace of God we may -imitate his example, and enable survivors to say of each one of us, “He -served his own generation by the will of God, and fell on sleep, and was -laid unto his fathers.” In order therefore to describe and recommend to -you the christian servant, we shall consider the office which he -sustains; the manner in which he is to discharge it; and the state in -which it terminates. - -I. Let us consider, in the first place, THE OFFICE WHICH HE SUSTAINS. I -make this a distinct and primary subject of consideration, not that there -is any difficulty in ascertaining what christian service is, but because -I am desirous you should perceive and feel that it is an essential part -of christian character. It is true that the office of servant is not the -only one which a man of God sustains; nor is the name the only one which -is descriptive of his character and life. He is a disciple; who sits at -the feet of Jesus, and learns from his word the great mystery of -godliness. He is a professor of Christ’s gospel; who publicly declares -his belief of its doctrines, and his subjection to its authority. He is -a soldier; who endures hardness, and fights the good fight of faith. And -he is a son; a child of God; a partaker of the spirit of adoption, -whereby he cries Abba, Father; and an heir of God through Jesus Christ. -But he is a servant, in a sense which includes these names and -relationships, and which describes a condition, in some respects superior -to them all. As a servant is one who is subject to the authority of -another person, and is employed on his behalf, so a christian is in -willing subjection to God, and is employed by and for his Master in -heaven. Formerly he was in the service of Satan, serving divers lusts -and passions; but from that service he has been redeemed, not with -corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood -of Christ; and from that service he has been called by the effectual -voice of the Holy Spirit, who has constrained him to renounce sin, and -Satan, and the world, and to consecrate his service to the Lord. “Know -ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye -are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto -righteousness. But God be thanked, that, though ye were the servants of -sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was -delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants -of righteousness.” - -The man who thus becomes the servant of God, receives a qualification and -a commission to serve both the church and the world—to serve the church, -by seeking the spirituality, union, and increase of its members; and to -serve the world, by seeking the temporal and spiritual welfare of all -mankind. Without the desire and the practice of service such as this, -religion would be but an empty name, or a mere sentimental emotion. It -would be, not a living, but a dead religion; “for as the body without the -spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” This christian -service which is thus the effect, becomes also the evidence of personal -piety. There are some things, the possession or the practice of which -are no decisive test of character. You may be in membership with a -church of orthodox principles; and you may be the zealous advocate of -denominational peculiarities; and yet, by these very things, you may be -gratifying prejudice rather than piety; and your religious professions -and attachments, may be only modifications of selfishness. But if you -are found sustaining the office and discharging the duties of a servant -of Christ, you are walking in the footsteps of your Lord and Master; you -are living, not to yourself, but to him who died for you and rose again; -you are looking not at your own things only, but at the things of others -also; and therefore you love not in word, or in tongue, but in deed, and -in truth. - -How perfectly was this office sustained by Jesus Christ, the servant of -God in the redemption of sinners. He himself is Lord of all; the Maker -and the Monarch of the universe. “He was in the form of God, and thought -it not robbery to be equal with God; but he made himself of no -reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” And how perfectly -this “form” was indicative of the reality. “The Son of Man came not to -be ministered unto, but to minister.” “I am among you, said he to his -disciples, as one that serveth;” and when, on one occasion, he had girded -himself with a towel, and washed his disciples’ feet, he said, “I have -given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, -verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither -is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these -things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Happy indeed! for both happiness -and honour are derived, not from exalting, but from humbling ourselves; -not from self-indulgence, but from self-denial; and from a cordial and -practical imitation of Him, who was meek and lowly in heart, and who went -about doing good. How peculiarly and prominently was this the character -of our departed friend. How much he had received of his Master’s spirit, -and how willing he was to walk in his Master’s steps. Many of you, my -brethren, I trust have so received, and are so inclined. Let us -therefore follow him as he followed Christ. And as we profess to sustain -the office of Christian servants, let us now give the more earnest heed -to the apostolic injunction, “Let every one of us please his neighbour, -for his good, to edification.” - -II. Such being the office, which the Christian servant sustains, let us -consider, in the second place, THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE -DISCHARGED. “He is to Serve his own generation by the will of God.” -Here, you perceive, is a course of conduct regulated by an important -principle; both of which are to be included in our consideration of the -manner in which this office is to be discharged. On an ordinary -occasion, I would have described and illustrated this conduct, and this -principle, by an express reference to scripture doctrine, precept, and -example. But it is our privilege to have had among us an individual, -well and publicly known, who sustained this office, and whose life and -character afford an impressive illustration of the manner in which it -should be discharged; and therefore, as Peter “freely” spake to the -people, of the patriarch David, who served his own generation by the will -of God, I shall now freely speak to you of our departed friend and -brother, as an example of the same religious service. - -In the first place then, A CHRISTIAN IS TO SERVE HIS OWN GENERATION. He -may indeed be the means of serving _future generations_ also. While -David was serving the men and the institutions of his own time, his -prayer was, “Now also when I am old and grey headed, O God, forsake me -not, until I have shewed thy strength to this generation, and thy power -to every one that is to come.” And the God to whom this prayer was -addressed, enabled him to accomplish his desire, by the preparations -which he made for the erection of the future temple, and by the Psalms -which he composed, and which have contributed so richly to the -instruction and comfort of our own and of preceding generations. Martyrs -and Reformers of old, who, as servants of Christ, were faithful even unto -death, and sealed their service with their blood, were also thereby the -means of securing benefits to the church and the world, which have come -down from their days to our own, and by which we ourselves are -established and blessed. And our beloved friend too, who has served the -present generation, will serve the future also. “He, being dead, yet -speaketh,” and he will continue to speak, not only by the remembrance of -his holy example, but also by the vigour which he has imparted to many of -our benevolent and religious institutions, and by the books which he has -published, and which future generations will read. Of every truly -Christian servant it may therefore be said, even when he rests from his -labours, that his works do follow him. His years are thereby prolonged -to many generations. He lives on earth, and in heaven, at the same time. -And blessed is that servant, who, amidst the repose and joy of his -celestial home, is crowned by the benedictions of men of generations -subsequent to his own, to whose salvation he was the means of -contributing. But let no one aim at the future, to the neglect of the -present. Let no one withhold time, and self-denial, and personal effort, -from the present, with the intention of making an atonement by levying a -tax on his property for the future. Let no one accumulate, and hoard up -now, with the intention of letting a portion go when he can no longer -retain it. But let every man be his own executor, as far as he is able, -and let him endeavour to serve future generations by generously and -religiously serving his own. - -The present generation is emphatically “_our own_;” and, therefore, it -has upon us peculiar claims. Every good man has been converted and -sanctified by the grace of God, in order that he may be qualified and -disposed to serve it. The objects which have the first claim upon our -service, are our own families; nor are we to undertake the service of a -philanthropist, of a Sunday school teacher, or even of a preacher of the -gospel, to their neglect and injury; “for if any man provide not for his -own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, -and is worse than an infidel.” Those among whom we are placed as -neighbours, demand our service next; and so on, according to our means -and opportunities, till the circle of our service is as wide as the -family of man. Our charity, which may thus begin at home, is therefore -not to end there; but must resemble the service rendered by the sun, who -sheds his light and sweet influences, first on the planets which are -nearest to his centre, and then extends them to those which lie at the -remote circumference. - -Our Christian brother, now departed, so faithfully served his own -generation, that his conduct in this respect may furnish an influential -rule and encouragement to ourselves; and though we may not have the means -and capacities which he possessed, yet from his extensive service, we may -learn how to conduct our own, according to the ability which God hath -given us. He, then, served his own generation, _by a public profession -of the gospel of Christ_. In early life he was placed in circumstances -where he was free to choose whom he would serve; and he had wealth, and -talents, and attractive influences, which would have gained him a cordial -welcome among the men of the world, who have their portion in this life. -But he came out from among them, and was separate. He determined to -become a disciple of Christ, not secretly, for fear of the frown or -ridicule of the world, but publicly, declaring himself to society and to -the church, as a Christian man, bound to act on Christian principles, and -to exhibit them publicly and practically in all his religious and his -secular affairs. This was a most appropriate act of Christian service; -and the moral courage which he manifested in thus following out his -convictions, by confessing Christ before men, is a noble example to the -men of his own class, and of his own generation. “Vain,” says he, “will -be our belief in the glad tidings of salvation through the crucified -Immanuel, unless it be followed by a holy decision of mind, in giving up -ourselves to God. The want of this _holy decision_, may be regarded as -the second grand cause of the imperfections which so often interrupt our -conformity to the divine will. When Saul was arrested in his career of -violence, by a light and voice from above, he ‘was not disobedient to the -heavenly vision;’ he surrendered at discretion to the all-conquering -Saviour; forsook, at once, his self righteousness and self will, and -became, without reserve, what every Christian ought to be, _a servant of -the Lord_. The die was cast, which for ever determined his adherence to -the cause of Jesus Christ and him crucified.” {11} - -He served his own generation _by a consistent and influential character_. -He not only began well in his Christian course, but having obtained help -of God, he continued in it, even to the end. Suppose it had been -otherwise. Suppose that, after he had made a public profession of the -gospel, he had renounced it; or, by some act or course of immorality, had -profaned it. What a frightful supposition! Can you estimate the evil -and the disservice of such an apostacy? How would the church have -mourned, not as she did at his death, with sorrow softened with hope, but -with bitter tears, and a broken heart; and how would the enemies of truth -and purity have rejoiced and blasphemed! Can you then estimate the -service which he rendered to Christ and to his church, by that long -course of holy and consistent conduct which, by the grace of God, he was -enabled to pursue; and during which he was neither ashamed of the gospel -nor a shame unto it. Brethren, let us watch and pray, that we may thus -serve God ourselves, and let us devoutly listen to the charge which our -divine Master is ever addressing to his servants, “Be thou faithful unto -death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” - -He served his own generation _by his liberal contributions_, which he -rendered to the cause of humanity and religion. Giving money, in due -proportion, and to proper objects, was placed by him among the duties -inculcated by religion and benevolence; and his giving was distinguished, -not only by the largeness of its amount, but by the manner in which it -was conducted. He gave cheerfully, constantly, and religiously. If you -have ever been refused money, when you have asked it for a really -deserving case, the refusal was not from Mr. Gurney. If, after long and -beseeching entreaty, you have received a donation grudgingly, it was not -from Mr. Gurney. There were sometimes cases when he might have excused -himself, by pleading the amount he had already given to similar objects, -or the claims and the peculiarities of his own religious denomination; -but, though he would not give against the convictions of his conscience, -yet his giving was evidently limited only by those convictions, and by -the range of his own means. “I only wish to keep my head fairly above -water,” was the remark which he made to a friend, who had received a -donation from him for a religious purpose, just after he had been giving -some large sums of money; and when an effort was being made, some time -ago, to induce persons to become collectors for a charitable institution -in this city, to which he had given liberally, he said, “It sometimes -requires more self-denial to ask for contributions than it does to give -them, and the most liberal people are often those who beg, not those who -give.” You know how he remembered the poor; and I shall never forget the -gratification which he expressed when the District Visiting Society was -established, because, as he then said, he had the means of sending money -to the poor, in a way that would secure its proper distribution. I have -said that he gave religiously. He regarded his possessions as a sacred -trust, committed to him by his divine Master, for the supply of the wants -of others as well as of his own; and he felt his responsibility as a -steward who would soon be called to give an account of himself unto God. -What he gave, therefore, was given unto the Lord; and many a cup of water -has he given to his disciples, because they belonged to Christ. How many -lessons of wisdom and religion, relative to the principle and mode of -giving, may thus be learned from the example of our departed brother, who -never saw an object of necessity or distress and then “passed by on the -other side,” but whose oil, and wine, and purse, were always ready for -the necessities of his neighbour. - -He served his own generation _by personal efforts_. His gifts were not -merely pecuniary. It was his own maxim, that a man may give much money, -and yet exercise very little of benevolence or of self-denial. He gave -what, to a man in his circumstances, was often more valuable than gold—he -gave time, and personal attention, and laborious effort, to assist in the -working of many of the public institutions with which he was connected; -and till circumstances rendered it needful that he should in some measure -withdraw his personal attendance, he was one of our most punctual and -regular committee men; and sometimes undertook service which others -preferred to decline. Many of our public institutions are really -conducted by comparatively few individuals; and it will be a great -advantage to the societies themselves, and to the public at large, when -we have a greater number of men who, like Joseph John Gurney, will be -seen in our committee rooms, and on our platforms, giving their presence -and influence, as well as their silver and gold. - -I need not say that, among his personal efforts, he served his own -generation _by his writings_. In the many volumes which he has -published, there are of course the expression and the advocacy of his -peculiar opinions as a Dissenter, and as a Friend; but his writings are -_characterized_, not by these peculiarities, but by what is common to the -church of God. They are full of the truth as it is in Jesus. Some of -them are eminently critical, argumentative, and learned; all of them are -eminently excellent in their sentiments and influence; containing no -words which, “when dying, he need wish to blot,” but only such as were -serviceable to the interests of sobriety, righteousness, and godliness. - -But he also served his own generation _by seizing present opportunities -of usefulness_, _and by acting in accordance with the requirements of the -times_. He was greatly impressed with the importance of thus acting; and -during the eventful period in which he lived, he had many opportunities -of manifesting it. When such opportunities presented themselves, he -never lingered till they were lost, but whatsoever his hand found to do, -he did it with all his might. He was a servant, who not only “knew his -Lord’s will,” but also “prepared himself.” He was one of those “who had -understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” When -therefore he was appealed to by the cause of Education, of Prison -Discipline, of Slave Emancipation, of the Bible Society, of the Poor, or -by any department of service which occurred to him as a Christian -minister, he promptly responded to the call; and by his persevering -labours, imparted strength and courage to his coadjutors. In such cases -he sometimes manifested a degree of tact and holy wisdom, which showed -how heartily he was devoted to his object. This appears very much in his -writings; and in some of his letters, inserted in the unpublished life of -the late Lord Suffield; and the anxious desire which he felt that his -Lordship’s mind might be brought under the influence of religion, as the -only right principle of action, and as the only spring of joy, is truly -beautiful and affecting. For instance, when referring to the subject of -Prison Discipline, he says, “I truly rejoice in thy thus being enabled to -employ thy time, talents, and influence, in the cause of humanity; and -may I not say, Christianity? Most heartily do I wish thee well on thy -way, and may the preserving power of the Lord be with thee, to protect, -bless, and sanctify all thy proceedings, and thy whole self, in body, -soul, and spirit.” In another letter he says, “So much for politics; -with regard to my last subject—religion—I was a _little_ afraid lest thy -silence might indicate dissent, and I am truly rejoiced to find it -otherwise. To salute thee as a brother, in ‘_him who died for us and -rose again_,’ is a pleasure indeed! I cannot consent to keep silence on -this subject, though I feel with thee how much it requires all our -_reverence_; but I remember what a certain prophet said, ‘they that -feared the Lord spake often one to another.’ I am however quite aware -that there are right times and seasons; that the temple must not be -polluted by unhallowed feet; and that our feet are too apt to be -unhallowed, unless they are first ‘shod with the preparation of the -gospel of peace.’” “I cannot express,” says he in another place, “what I -think of the value of those religious convictions which are hinted at in -thy letter. I consider them to be beyond all price, because the work, -not of man, but of God. I should conceive that it must have been through -much mental conflict that thou hast come at them, for I have long found -occasion to believe that we must be made in some measure partakers of the -sufferings of Christ, before we can enjoy the privileges of true -religion. ‘Are ye willing to drink of the cup that I drink of?’ ‘After -what is past, it is impossible not to feel a warm personal interest in -thee.’ ‘Such a heart and mind are talents to be employed _in thy -Master’s service_.’” Can you conceive of any thing more spiritually -beautiful than these extracts are? And who can hear them without -thanking God on the writer’s behalf? - -And to shew how naturally and gracefully he could mingle religion with -the common affairs of life, I may relate to you an incident which was -told me by a friend, who one day happened to travel with Mr. Gurney, and -some other persons, on the outside of the coach. When they had proceeded -a few miles, Mr. Gurney said, “as we started rather early this morning, I -was not able, at home, to read my portion of Scripture, so that if there -be no objection, I will read a chapter aloud.” He did so, making -suitable remarks on the verses as he read them, and diffusing such a -hallowed influence on those around him, that my friend said, “it was one -of the happiest days I ever spent.” Now, with Mr. Gurney, the doing such -a thing as that, was as free from ostentation, as it was from -awkwardness. It was a deed of “simplicity and godly sincerity;” and was -so conducted, as to seem as appropriate for the top of a coach, as for a -meeting house, or a cathedral. There is a paragraph in one of his -unpublished manuscripts, which is in beautiful harmony with this -anecdote, and which may possibly have some reference to it. After -speaking of the duty and importance of “always being on the watch, to -make a good use of our time,” he says, “I have sometimes endeavoured to -apply these principles to _travelling_, in which a considerable portion -of the time of some persons is almost unavoidably occupied. A call of -duty or business, may often carry us to places at a distance from our own -homes. Is the time, taken up by the journey, to be one of mere -indolence? Is the convenience of being conveyed from one place to -another, to be the only profit which it shall yield? Ought we not rather -to make a point, on such occasions, of adding to our stock of knowledge, -and of useful ideas, by reading, by conversation, and reflection? Is -there no object of interest which may be examined by the way? Is there -no person of piety or talent, with whom we may find a passing opportunity -of communicating? Are the motions of the coach or chariot so rapid, that -we cannot leave behind us, as we pass from place to place, important -instruction in the form of Bibles, Testaments, or tracts? _Much_ may not -be required of us; but it is well, if on our arrival at our place of -destination, we can acknowledge that we have both received and -communicated a _little_ good in the course of our journey.” And again. -“As the servant who waits well on his master, is ever on the _qui vive_ -to know what will be next wanted, so are we to wait on the hours, and -even on the moments of each passing day, to know what duties they point -out to us, or what employments they suggest for the improvement of our -minds.” - -Thus it was, brethren, that our departed friend endeavoured to discharge -the office of a servant in his own generation. He served it, by a public -profession of the gospel of Christ; by a consistent and influential -character; by his liberal contributions to the cause of humanity and -religion; by his personal efforts and writings; and by seizing present -opportunities of usefulness, and acting in accordance with the -requirements of the times. - -But we have still to remark, secondly, that a Christian is to serve his -own generation IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL OF GOD. The text may indeed -be read, “after he had, in his own generation, served the will of God.” -But even this arrangement of the words implies, that the service which he -rendered, in the midst of his own generation, was according to the will -of God; and as this refers to the principle and motive of Christian -service, it can be applied, equally with the former expression, to the -service rendered by our Christian brother, the strongest desire of whose -heart it was, so to serve as to please God. - -A man may do right acts from wrong motives. The Pharisees gave alms to -the poor. That was right. But their motive in giving, was to be seen of -men. That was wrong. It was seeking to please men rather than God, who -trieth the hearts. No action can be religious which has not its motive -and its end in God, and which is not in accordance with his will. The -man, therefore, who properly and acceptably serves his own generation, -must do it by the will of God. This was exactly the opinion of our -beloved friend. “Paul,” says he, often declares himself to be “an -apostle by the will of God. Now we may rest assured that had not his -will been surrendered at discretion, he would neither have been enabled -to lead a life of holiness, nor have been qualified for his peculiar path -of religious duty. His whole work and service would have been marred; -and he would have been comparable to nothing better than a stunted tree, -bringing forth fruit destined not to ripen. Such a sacrifice of the -will, is indeed absolutely necessary, not merely to the general purposes -of virtue, but to the specific value and usefulness of every member of -the church of Christ.” - -Acting on these great principles, our departed brother served his own -generation _in accordance with the revealed will of God in the Bible_. -Whatever peculiarities distinguished him as a member of the Society of -Friends, he believed them to be in conformity with the holy Scriptures; -and I am sure that, so far as the office of a christian servant is -concerned, he would acknowledge no will that appeared to him to be -contrary to “the will of God” as revealed in the inspired volume. If he -followed the light within himself, it was because he believed it to be -from the same divine source with the light without, which shines upon the -sacred pages. He was a most attentive and devout reader of this holy -book, not only in the family, but in the closet, and in the study; and it -was not unusual with him to invite the visitors at his house to join him -in those morning readings in the Greek Testament, in which, after -breakfast, he was accustomed to engage. The frequency and devotion with -which he searched the scriptures, to ascertain his Lord’s will, he -earnestly recommended to others; and you are all witnesses how often, in -his Bible society Speeches, he repeated and enforced the apostolic -declaration, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is -profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction -in righteousness.” - -He served his own generation, under a deep conviction of _the supreme and -rightful authority of God over him_. There are many persons who live and -act on the principle that they have a right to do what they will with -themselves, and with what they call their own. “Our lips, say they, are -our own, who is Lord over us?” “I am not my own,” was the language of -our christian brother. “I belong to Christ, my Lord and Master.” And in -language literally his own, he declares, “there is nothing more -distasteful to the natural man, than the piercing spirituality, the -comprehensive grasp, and the binding authority of God’s precepts. The -child of darkness prefers his own devices—he is a rebel to the core. But -Christianity requires an uncompromising compliance with the whole counsel -of God as it relates to our conduct. Our whole life must be regulated by -the directions of his perfect law. No rebellious feeling, no corrupt -motive or thought must be harboured; no favourite sin spared; no -unwelcome duty omitted.” {19} - -He served also in remembrance of _his responsibility to God_. Every step -he took in this service, he felt was on his way to the judgment seat, -there to give an account of himself unto God. And we, be it remembered, -are perpetually approaching the same tribunal. We can no more get rid of -our responsibility, than we can of our immortality. Whether we admit it -or deny it; whether we declare ourselves to be accountable to God, or -independent of God; the great white throne is before us, and he that sits -upon it, “will bring every work into judgment, and every secret thing, -whether it be good or bad.” - -And, once more, he served _under a deep sense of obligation to God_. -There is no motive in the universe of such mighty power, in the divine -service, as the love of Christ to sinners; his love in redemption; his -love in dying for the ungodly. “The love of Christ constraineth us.” -And while it constrains us to love Christ, who redeemed us with his -precious blood, it also constrains us to persevere in a course of -christian service, with an alacrity and devotedness which no other motive -could inspire. Oh! how this was felt by our beloved friend. What a -master motive to his heart was the love of Christ in becoming the -propitiation for our sins! In his speeches, and in his writings, what -lofty inspiration did the theme produce! and how he seemed to feel as if -he could never say enough, nor do enough, to testify his obligation to -that benignant Master, “who loved him, and gave himself for him!” - -Delightful as it is, thus to speak of one, who, after this manner, served -his own generation according to the will of God, we nevertheless desire -to say it all in perfect accordance with the doctrine, that all his -disposition, and all his capacity, for his Master’s service, was derived -entirely from his Master’s grace. I should be doing a grievous wrong, -not only to Scripture sentiment, but to his own most cherished -convictions, if I were in the least degree to intimate that any of his -spiritual excellencies were either self-originated or meritoriously -exercised. No—amidst my highest admiration of his character, I would -remember the admonition which he gave to me, when he met me on my way to -preach the funeral sermon for Joseph Kinghorn—“praise the Master, not the -servant;” and I do so when I say, that all which the servant became, the -Master made him. The same hand which gave him the reward of the faithful -servant, had previously given him the fidelity; and, therefore, we -glorify God in him; and we carefully remember, that the holiest christian -on earth, and the brightest saint in heaven, willingly unite in the one -declaration, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” - -III. Our remarks on the christian servant must now be brought to a -close; and having considered the office which he sustains, and the manner -in which it is to be discharged, I must briefly consider in the third -place, THE STATE IN WHICH IT TERMINATES. “For David, after he had served -his own generation, by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto -his fathers.” - -“_He fell on sleep_”—not, he died. “He that believeth on me, says -Christ, shall never die.” He becomes absent from the body, and is -present with the Lord; but this is not dying. It is not death, to close -our eyes on earth, and open them in heaven; to lose the embrace of -earthly friendship, and fall into the arms of Christ. This is not death; -nor is it even sleep, so far as the spirit of the Christian servant is -concerned. The spirit becomes absent from the body, and present with the -Lord. It goes out of its tabernacle of clay, into the house which is not -made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and there it joins the spirits -of just men made perfect, in the general assembly and church of the -first-born. But the body sleeps, and sleeps in Jesus, who redeemed it -with his precious blood; who made it a temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell -in; who will watch over its precious dust while it remains in the grave, -“waiting there for the adoption, to wit the redemption of the body;” and -who, when that morning of adoption dawns, will “come to wake it out of -sleep, and to fashion it like unto his own glorious body;” “for this -corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on -immortality.” - -“_And was laid unto his fathers_.” The phrase in the Old Testament is, -“He was gathered to his people.” So far as it may refer to the body, it -alludes to the gathering in the grave; but even in the earliest times, -when the phrase was used, it looked beyond the grave, to the people whom -God had begun to gather round his throne. And from the days of the -patriarchs to our own, the God of all grace has been still increasing the -number, and gathering his saints together, “who have made a covenant with -him by sacrifice.” And when the spirit of our departed friend entered -the mansions of his Father’s house, to what a numerous and a glorious -company was he gathered, of those who had gone before, in ancient and in -modern times. And while it is to Christ, that the gathering of the -people shall be, and while he will be to them, throughout eternity, their -joy, and glory, and heaven, yet blessed and celestial will be the -recognitions and the remembrances, when the newly arrived guest is -introduced to his former companions and coadjutors. What heart can -conceive of the heavenly joy with which our departed brother, on his -arrival there, met with those eminent and holy men, with whom, when on -earth, he had taken sweet counsel, in works of faith and labours of love. -What tongue can tell the greetings with which he was welcomed to the -Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when he sat down with Patriarchs, and -Prophets, and Apostles, and Martyrs—with Wilberforce, and Simeon, and -Buxton, and the glorious company of the Redeemed, in the presence of -Christ the Master of the feast! Oh! to be thus gathered to the general -assembly and church of the first-born, in that land of light and -immortality, where there is no shade to dim its brightness; no sin to -defile its purity; no tribulation to interrupt its joys; no languor, no -pain, no disease, to burden the willing spirit; and no death to break up -the blessed family. Lord “gather not my soul with sinners.” Let me, O -Lord, be gathered to my fathers in Christ. “Let me die the death of the -righteous, let my last end be like his!” - -Well might “devout men carry him to the grave, and make great lamentation -for him.” Well might the whole city assume the appearance of a -consecrated sabbath, and send forth its thousands and tens of thousands -to mourn at his funeral. Well might the voice of triumph mingle with the -voice of tears, and exclaim at his sepulchre, “Thanks be to God who hath -given him the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ;” for “a prince and -a great man has fallen in Israel.” And by his death, which has brought -such gain to himself, the poor have lost a sympathizing benefactor; -society has lost a bright example; the church of Christ has lost a -beloved brother, a laborious servant, and a faithful minister of the -gospel; and his own mourning family have lost “the desire of their eyes -with a stroke.” Let us then endeavour to supply all this loss, as far as -we are able. Let each of us determine, by the grace of God, to serve our -own generation with increasing energy and devotedness. And let the -review of his life, and the rapidity of his death, urge us all to be -“steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, -forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord.” - - - - -BY THE SAME AUTHOR. - - -THE PREACHER FROM THE PRESS. Sermons to explain and to recommend the -Gospel of Jesus Christ.—2 vols., cloth boards, _Price_ 6_s._ - -THE DEATH OF A MINISTER AN EVENT OF PECULIAR IMPORTANCE. A Funeral -Sermon for the Rev. JOHN SYKES, of Guestwick. - -THE MOURNING CONGREGATION REMINDED OF THE WORK OF THEIR DECEASED -MINISTER. A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. Joseph Kinghorn, of Norwich. - -CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. An appeal to Christians on the Duty and Importance of -Communion with the Church. - -THE OBJECTS AND MOTIVES OF MODERN NONCONFORMISTS. A Sermon preached at -the Opening of Hingham Chapel. - -THE BAPTISM OF THE PRINCE. A Sermon preached in anticipation of the -Baptism of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. - -APOSTOLIC WAYS IN THE CHURCH. The Introductory Discourse delivered at -the Ordination of the Rev. ANDREW REED, B.A. in the Old Meeting House, -Norwich. - - - - -FOOTNOTES. - - -{11} Essay on Love to God, p. 121. - -{19} Essay on Love to God, p. 117. - - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRISTIAN SERVING HIS OWN -GENERATION*** - - -******* This file should be named 63770-0.txt or 63770-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/3/7/7/63770 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: The Christian serving his own generation - A Sermon occasioned by the lamented death of Joseph John Gurney, Esq. - - -Author: John Alexander - - - -Release Date: November 15, 2020 [eBook #63770] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRISTIAN SERVING HIS OWN -GENERATION*** -</pre> -<p>Transcribed from the 1847 Josiah Fletcher edition by David -Price.</p> -<h1><span class="GutSmall">THE CHRISTIAN SERVING HIS OWN -GENERATION.</span></h1> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>A SERMON</b></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">OCCASIONED -BY THE LAMENTED DEATH OF</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY, -ESQ.,</b></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">AND PREACHED -IN</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center">PRINCE’S STREET CHAPEL, -NORWICH,</p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span -class="GutSmall">ON</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center">SUNDAY EVENING, JAN. 17th, -1847,</p> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>BY JOHN ALEXANDER.</b></p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> - -<div class="gapmediumline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">PUBLISHED AT -THE REQUEST OF THE CONGREGATION.</span></p> - -<div class="gapmediumline"> </div> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center">NORWICH:<br /> -PRINTED BY JOSIAH FLETCHER, UPPER HAYMARKET;<br /> -<span class="GutSmall">SOLD ALSO BY</span><br /> -JARROLD AND SONS, LONDON STREET;<br /> -<span class="GutSmall">LONDON: JACKSON AND WALFORD.</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center">1847.</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p><a name="page2"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 2</span><i>The -following sermon</i>, <i>which the Author composed and preached -without the slightest intention of publishing it</i>, <i>and -which he prepared for the press at the bedside of a dying -son</i>, <i>is now presented to his congregation</i>, <i>in -compliance with their earnest request</i>; <i>and to the -public</i>, <i>in the hope that they will mildly censure its -defects</i>, <i>and that they will imitate the example of -Christian excellence which it describes</i>.</p> -<p><i>Some additional extracts from Mr. Gurney’s works are -now inserted</i>, <i>which were omitted in the delivery of the -discourse</i>.</p> -<h2><a name="page3"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 3</span>A -SERMON.</h2> -<blockquote><p style="text-align: center"><span -class="smcap">Acts xiii</span>, 36.</p> -<p>“For David, after he had served his own generation by -the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his -fathers.”</p> -</blockquote> -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> are, as you will readily -perceive, several interesting points of resemblance, between -David, here spoken of, and our beloved and honoured friend, whose -lamented death has occasioned this discourse. Both of them -became religious early in life; and consecrated their youth to -the God of their fathers. Both of them were men after -God’s own heart; who, in the midst of human infirmities and -imperfections, reverenced the divine authority, looked for pardon -and salvation to the divine mercy, and esteemed the divine -loving-kindness to be better than life. Both of them had -the tongue and the pen of a ready writer; and said much, and -wrote much, for the edification of the church of God. Both -of them contributed largely and cheerfully of their own property, -for the support and extension of the cause of God and of true -religion. Both of them, when brought into various -tribulations, found it good to be afflicted, and made the -everlasting covenant of their God, all their salvation and all -their desire. And of both of them it may with propriety <a -name="page4"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 4</span>be said, in the -language of our text, “They served their own generation by -the will of God; they fell on sleep; and they were laid to their -fathers.” There are also, as you are aware, some -points of difference between them, as well as of resemblance; to -which, however, it is not needful to refer particularly; -especially as I am desirous to direct your attention, in this -discourse, not so much to specific instances of resemblance -between these holy men, as to the beautiful accordance which -there is between the description given in our text, and the life -and character of Mr. Gurney. There are indeed various terms -by which he might be appropriately designated; yet the one which -is used in our text, though in some respects the humblest, is -perhaps the best. He was <i>a servant</i>; and till he fell -asleep in death, and was laid unto his fathers, he was employed -in serving his own generation by the will of God. I think -that all who were acquainted with him, will acknowledge that his -whole life was service; service as opposed to selfishness, and -idleness, and injuriousness; service done for God, on behalf of -the church and the world; and service which he was prompted to -undertake by Jesus Christ his Lord and Master, and from the -exercise of which he became eminently beneficial to society, and -eminently holy and happy in his own person. As he was, to a -great extent, a public man, well known not only to you who -compose this numerous congregation, but to most of our -fellow-citizens, and to many of our fellow-countrymen, I may -without impropriety speak of him more freely and more fully than -I would speak of a more private individual; and especially as I -am desirous that his character and conduct, as a christian -servant, should be clearly and influentially perceived by us all; -that by the grace of God we may imitate his example, and enable -survivors to say of each one of us, “He served his own -generation by the will of God, and fell on sleep, and was laid -unto his fathers.” In order therefore <a -name="page5"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 5</span>to describe and -recommend to you the christian servant, we shall consider the -office which he sustains; the manner in which he is to discharge -it; and the state in which it terminates.</p> -<p>I. Let us consider, in the first place, <span -class="GutSmall">THE OFFICE WHICH HE SUSTAINS</span>. I -make this a distinct and primary subject of consideration, not -that there is any difficulty in ascertaining what christian -service is, but because I am desirous you should perceive and -feel that it is an essential part of christian character. -It is true that the office of servant is not the only one which a -man of God sustains; nor is the name the only one which is -descriptive of his character and life. He is a disciple; -who sits at the feet of Jesus, and learns from his word the great -mystery of godliness. He is a professor of Christ’s -gospel; who publicly declares his belief of its doctrines, and -his subjection to its authority. He is a soldier; who -endures hardness, and fights the good fight of faith. And -he is a son; a child of God; a partaker of the spirit of -adoption, whereby he cries Abba, Father; and an heir of God -through Jesus Christ. But he is a servant, in a sense which -includes these names and relationships, and which describes a -condition, in some respects superior to them all. As a -servant is one who is subject to the authority of another person, -and is employed on his behalf, so a christian is in willing -subjection to God, and is employed by and for his Master in -heaven. Formerly he was in the service of Satan, serving -divers lusts and passions; but from that service he has been -redeemed, not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, -but with the precious blood of Christ; and from that service he -has been called by the effectual voice of the Holy Spirit, who -has constrained him to renounce sin, and Satan, and the world, -and to consecrate his service to the Lord. “Know ye -not that to whom ye yield yourselves <a name="page6"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 6</span>servants to obey, his servants ye are -to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto -righteousness. But God be thanked, that, though ye were the -servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of -doctrine which was delivered to you. Being then made free -from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”</p> -<p>The man who thus becomes the servant of God, receives a -qualification and a commission to serve both the church and the -world—to serve the church, by seeking the spirituality, -union, and increase of its members; and to serve the world, by -seeking the temporal and spiritual welfare of all mankind. -Without the desire and the practice of service such as this, -religion would be but an empty name, or a mere sentimental -emotion. It would be, not a living, but a dead religion; -“for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith -without works is dead also.” This christian service -which is thus the effect, becomes also the evidence of personal -piety. There are some things, the possession or the -practice of which are no decisive test of character. You -may be in membership with a church of orthodox principles; and -you may be the zealous advocate of denominational peculiarities; -and yet, by these very things, you may be gratifying prejudice -rather than piety; and your religious professions and -attachments, may be only modifications of selfishness. But -if you are found sustaining the office and discharging the duties -of a servant of Christ, you are walking in the footsteps of your -Lord and Master; you are living, not to yourself, but to him who -died for you and rose again; you are looking not at your own -things only, but at the things of others also; and therefore you -love not in word, or in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.</p> -<p>How perfectly was this office sustained by Jesus Christ, the -servant of God in the redemption of sinners. He himself is -Lord of all; the Maker and the Monarch of the universe. <a -name="page7"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 7</span>“He was -in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with -God; but he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the -form of a servant.” And how perfectly this -“form” was indicative of the reality. -“The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to -minister.” “I am among you, said he to his -disciples, as one that serveth;” and when, on one occasion, -he had girded himself with a towel, and washed his -disciples’ feet, he said, “I have given you an -example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, -verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord; -neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. -If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” -Happy indeed! for both happiness and honour are derived, not from -exalting, but from humbling ourselves; not from self-indulgence, -but from self-denial; and from a cordial and practical imitation -of Him, who was meek and lowly in heart, and who went about doing -good. How peculiarly and prominently was this the character -of our departed friend. How much he had received of his -Master’s spirit, and how willing he was to walk in his -Master’s steps. Many of you, my brethren, I trust -have so received, and are so inclined. Let us therefore -follow him as he followed Christ. And as we profess to -sustain the office of Christian servants, let us now give the -more earnest heed to the apostolic injunction, “Let every -one of us please his neighbour, for his good, to -edification.”</p> -<p>II. Such being the office, which the Christian servant -sustains, let us consider, in the second place, <span -class="smcap">The manner in which it is to be -discharged</span>. “He is to Serve his own generation -by the will of God.” Here, you perceive, is a course -of conduct regulated by an important principle; both of which are -to be included in our consideration of the manner in which this -office is to be discharged. On an ordinary occasion, I -would have described and illustrated <a name="page8"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 8</span>this conduct, and this principle, by -an express reference to scripture doctrine, precept, and -example. But it is our privilege to have had among us an -individual, well and publicly known, who sustained this office, -and whose life and character afford an impressive illustration of -the manner in which it should be discharged; and therefore, as -Peter “freely” spake to the people, of the patriarch -David, who served his own generation by the will of God, I shall -now freely speak to you of our departed friend and brother, as an -example of the same religious service.</p> -<p>In the first place then, <span class="GutSmall">A CHRISTIAN IS -TO SERVE HIS OWN GENERATION</span>. He may indeed be the -means of serving <i>future generations</i> also. While -David was serving the men and the institutions of his own time, -his prayer was, “Now also when I am old and grey headed, O -God, forsake me not, until I have shewed thy strength to this -generation, and thy power to every one that is to -come.” And the God to whom this prayer was addressed, -enabled him to accomplish his desire, by the preparations which -he made for the erection of the future temple, and by the Psalms -which he composed, and which have contributed so richly to the -instruction and comfort of our own and of preceding -generations. Martyrs and Reformers of old, who, as servants -of Christ, were faithful even unto death, and sealed their -service with their blood, were also thereby the means of securing -benefits to the church and the world, which have come down from -their days to our own, and by which we ourselves are established -and blessed. And our beloved friend too, who has served the -present generation, will serve the future also. “He, -being dead, yet speaketh,” and he will continue to speak, -not only by the remembrance of his holy example, but also by the -vigour which he has imparted to many of our benevolent and -religious institutions, and by the books which he has published, -and which future generations will read. Of every truly <a -name="page9"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 9</span>Christian -servant it may therefore be said, even when he rests from his -labours, that his works do follow him. His years are -thereby prolonged to many generations. He lives on earth, -and in heaven, at the same time. And blessed is that -servant, who, amidst the repose and joy of his celestial home, is -crowned by the benedictions of men of generations subsequent to -his own, to whose salvation he was the means of -contributing. But let no one aim at the future, to the -neglect of the present. Let no one withhold time, and -self-denial, and personal effort, from the present, with the -intention of making an atonement by levying a tax on his property -for the future. Let no one accumulate, and hoard up now, -with the intention of letting a portion go when he can no longer -retain it. But let every man be his own executor, as far as -he is able, and let him endeavour to serve future generations by -generously and religiously serving his own.</p> -<p>The present generation is emphatically “<i>our -own</i>;” and, therefore, it has upon us peculiar -claims. Every good man has been converted and sanctified by -the grace of God, in order that he may be qualified and disposed -to serve it. The objects which have the first claim upon -our service, are our own families; nor are we to undertake the -service of a philanthropist, of a Sunday school teacher, or even -of a preacher of the gospel, to their neglect and injury; -“for if any man provide not for his own, and specially for -those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse -than an infidel.” Those among whom we are placed as -neighbours, demand our service next; and so on, according to our -means and opportunities, till the circle of our service is as -wide as the family of man. Our charity, which may thus -begin at home, is therefore not to end there; but must resemble -the service rendered by the sun, who sheds his light and sweet -influences, first on the planets which are nearest to his centre, -<a name="page10"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 10</span>and then -extends them to those which lie at the remote circumference.</p> -<p>Our Christian brother, now departed, so faithfully served his -own generation, that his conduct in this respect may furnish an -influential rule and encouragement to ourselves; and though we -may not have the means and capacities which he possessed, yet -from his extensive service, we may learn how to conduct our own, -according to the ability which God hath given us. He, then, -served his own generation, <i>by a public profession of the -gospel of Christ</i>. In early life he was placed in -circumstances where he was free to choose whom he would serve; -and he had wealth, and talents, and attractive influences, which -would have gained him a cordial welcome among the men of the -world, who have their portion in this life. But he came out -from among them, and was separate. He determined to become -a disciple of Christ, not secretly, for fear of the frown or -ridicule of the world, but publicly, declaring himself to society -and to the church, as a Christian man, bound to act on Christian -principles, and to exhibit them publicly and practically in all -his religious and his secular affairs. This was a most -appropriate act of Christian service; and the moral courage which -he manifested in thus following out his convictions, by -confessing Christ before men, is a noble example to the men of -his own class, and of his own generation. -“Vain,” says he, “will be our belief in the -glad tidings of salvation through the crucified Immanuel, unless -it be followed by a holy decision of mind, in giving up ourselves -to God. The want of this <i>holy decision</i>, may be -regarded as the second grand cause of the imperfections which so -often interrupt our conformity to the divine will. When -Saul was arrested in his career of violence, by a light and voice -from above, he ‘was not disobedient to the heavenly -vision;’ he surrendered at discretion <a -name="page11"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 11</span>to the -all-conquering Saviour; forsook, at once, his self righteousness -and self will, and became, without reserve, what every Christian -ought to be, <i>a servant of the Lord</i>. The die was -cast, which for ever determined his adherence to the cause of -Jesus Christ and him crucified.” <a -name="citation11"></a><a href="#footnote11" -class="citation">[11]</a></p> -<p>He served his own generation <i>by a consistent and -influential character</i>. He not only began well in his -Christian course, but having obtained help of God, he continued -in it, even to the end. Suppose it had been -otherwise. Suppose that, after he had made a public -profession of the gospel, he had renounced it; or, by some act or -course of immorality, had profaned it. What a frightful -supposition! Can you estimate the evil and the disservice -of such an apostacy? How would the church have mourned, not -as she did at his death, with sorrow softened with hope, but with -bitter tears, and a broken heart; and how would the enemies of -truth and purity have rejoiced and blasphemed! Can you then -estimate the service which he rendered to Christ and to his -church, by that long course of holy and consistent conduct which, -by the grace of God, he was enabled to pursue; and during which -he was neither ashamed of the gospel nor a shame unto it. -Brethren, let us watch and pray, that we may thus serve God -ourselves, and let us devoutly listen to the charge which our -divine Master is ever addressing to his servants, “Be thou -faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of -life.”</p> -<p>He served his own generation <i>by his liberal -contributions</i>, which he rendered to the cause of humanity and -religion. Giving money, in due proportion, and to proper -objects, was placed by him among the duties inculcated by -religion and benevolence; and his giving was distinguished, not -only by the largeness of its amount, but by the manner in which -it <a name="page12"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 12</span>was -conducted. He gave cheerfully, constantly, and -religiously. If you have ever been refused money, when you -have asked it for a really deserving case, the refusal was not -from Mr. Gurney. If, after long and beseeching entreaty, -you have received a donation grudgingly, it was not from Mr. -Gurney. There were sometimes cases when he might have -excused himself, by pleading the amount he had already given to -similar objects, or the claims and the peculiarities of his own -religious denomination; but, though he would not give against the -convictions of his conscience, yet his giving was evidently -limited only by those convictions, and by the range of his own -means. “I only wish to keep my head fairly above -water,” was the remark which he made to a friend, who had -received a donation from him for a religious purpose, just after -he had been giving some large sums of money; and when an effort -was being made, some time ago, to induce persons to become -collectors for a charitable institution in this city, to which he -had given liberally, he said, “It sometimes requires more -self-denial to ask for contributions than it does to give them, -and the most liberal people are often those who beg, not those -who give.” You know how he remembered the poor; and I -shall never forget the gratification which he expressed when the -District Visiting Society was established, because, as he then -said, he had the means of sending money to the poor, in a way -that would secure its proper distribution. I have said that -he gave religiously. He regarded his possessions as a -sacred trust, committed to him by his divine Master, for the -supply of the wants of others as well as of his own; and he felt -his responsibility as a steward who would soon be called to give -an account of himself unto God. What he gave, therefore, -was given unto the Lord; and many a cup of water has he given to -his disciples, because they belonged to Christ. How many -lessons of wisdom and religion, relative to the principle and -mode of <a name="page13"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -13</span>giving, may thus be learned from the example of our -departed brother, who never saw an object of necessity or -distress and then “passed by on the other side,” but -whose oil, and wine, and purse, were always ready for the -necessities of his neighbour.</p> -<p>He served his own generation <i>by personal efforts</i>. -His gifts were not merely pecuniary. It was his own maxim, -that a man may give much money, and yet exercise very little of -benevolence or of self-denial. He gave what, to a man in -his circumstances, was often more valuable than gold—he -gave time, and personal attention, and laborious effort, to -assist in the working of many of the public institutions with -which he was connected; and till circumstances rendered it -needful that he should in some measure withdraw his personal -attendance, he was one of our most punctual and regular committee -men; and sometimes undertook service which others preferred to -decline. Many of our public institutions are really -conducted by comparatively few individuals; and it will be a -great advantage to the societies themselves, and to the public at -large, when we have a greater number of men who, like Joseph John -Gurney, will be seen in our committee rooms, and on our -platforms, giving their presence and influence, as well as their -silver and gold.</p> -<p>I need not say that, among his personal efforts, he served his -own generation <i>by his writings</i>. In the many volumes -which he has published, there are of course the expression and -the advocacy of his peculiar opinions as a Dissenter, and as a -Friend; but his writings are <i>characterized</i>, not by these -peculiarities, but by what is common to the church of God. -They are full of the truth as it is in Jesus. Some of them -are eminently critical, argumentative, and learned; all of them -are eminently excellent in their sentiments and influence; -containing no words which, “when dying, he need wish <a -name="page14"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 14</span>to -blot,” but only such as were serviceable to the interests -of sobriety, righteousness, and godliness.</p> -<p>But he also served his own generation <i>by seizing present -opportunities of usefulness</i>, <i>and by acting in accordance -with the requirements of the times</i>. He was greatly -impressed with the importance of thus acting; and during the -eventful period in which he lived, he had many opportunities of -manifesting it. When such opportunities presented -themselves, he never lingered till they were lost, but whatsoever -his hand found to do, he did it with all his might. He was -a servant, who not only “knew his Lord’s will,” -but also “prepared himself.” He was one of -those “who had understanding of the times, to know what -Israel ought to do.” When therefore he was appealed -to by the cause of Education, of Prison Discipline, of Slave -Emancipation, of the Bible Society, of the Poor, or by any -department of service which occurred to him as a Christian -minister, he promptly responded to the call; and by his -persevering labours, imparted strength and courage to his -coadjutors. In such cases he sometimes manifested a degree -of tact and holy wisdom, which showed how heartily he was devoted -to his object. This appears very much in his writings; and -in some of his letters, inserted in the unpublished life of the -late Lord Suffield; and the anxious desire which he felt that his -Lordship’s mind might be brought under the influence of -religion, as the only right principle of action, and as the only -spring of joy, is truly beautiful and affecting. For -instance, when referring to the subject of Prison Discipline, he -says, “I truly rejoice in thy thus being enabled to employ -thy time, talents, and influence, in the cause of humanity; and -may I not say, Christianity? Most heartily do I wish thee -well on thy way, and may the preserving power of the Lord be with -thee, to protect, bless, and sanctify all thy proceedings, and -thy whole self, in body, <a name="page15"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 15</span>soul, and spirit.” In -another letter he says, “So much for politics; with regard -to my last subject—religion—I was a <i>little</i> -afraid lest thy silence might indicate dissent, and I am truly -rejoiced to find it otherwise. To salute thee as a brother, -in ‘<i>him who died for us and rose again</i>,’ is a -pleasure indeed! I cannot consent to keep silence on this -subject, though I feel with thee how much it requires all our -<i>reverence</i>; but I remember what a certain prophet said, -‘they that feared the Lord spake often one to -another.’ I am however quite aware that there are -right times and seasons; that the temple must not be polluted by -unhallowed feet; and that our feet are too apt to be unhallowed, -unless they are first ‘shod with the preparation of the -gospel of peace.’” “I cannot -express,” says he in another place, “what I think of -the value of those religious convictions which are hinted at in -thy letter. I consider them to be beyond all price, because -the work, not of man, but of God. I should conceive that it -must have been through much mental conflict that thou hast come -at them, for I have long found occasion to believe that we must -be made in some measure partakers of the sufferings of Christ, -before we can enjoy the privileges of true religion. -‘Are ye willing to drink of the cup that I drink -of?’ ‘After what is past, it is impossible not -to feel a warm personal interest in thee.’ -‘Such a heart and mind are talents to be employed <i>in thy -Master’s service</i>.’” Can you conceive -of any thing more spiritually beautiful than these extracts -are? And who can hear them without thanking God on the -writer’s behalf?</p> -<p>And to shew how naturally and gracefully he could mingle -religion with the common affairs of life, I may relate to you an -incident which was told me by a friend, who one day happened to -travel with Mr. Gurney, and some other persons, on the outside of -the coach. When they had proceeded a few miles, Mr. Gurney -said, “as we started rather early this <a -name="page16"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 16</span>morning, I -was not able, at home, to read my portion of Scripture, so that -if there be no objection, I will read a chapter -aloud.” He did so, making suitable remarks on the -verses as he read them, and diffusing such a hallowed influence -on those around him, that my friend said, “it was one of -the happiest days I ever spent.” Now, with Mr. -Gurney, the doing such a thing as that, was as free from -ostentation, as it was from awkwardness. It was a deed of -“simplicity and godly sincerity;” and was so -conducted, as to seem as appropriate for the top of a coach, as -for a meeting house, or a cathedral. There is a paragraph -in one of his unpublished manuscripts, which is in beautiful -harmony with this anecdote, and which may possibly have some -reference to it. After speaking of the duty and importance -of “always being on the watch, to make a good use of our -time,” he says, “I have sometimes endeavoured to -apply these principles to <i>travelling</i>, in which a -considerable portion of the time of some persons is almost -unavoidably occupied. A call of duty or business, may often -carry us to places at a distance from our own homes. Is the -time, taken up by the journey, to be one of mere indolence? -Is the convenience of being conveyed from one place to another, -to be the only profit which it shall yield? Ought we not -rather to make a point, on such occasions, of adding to our stock -of knowledge, and of useful ideas, by reading, by conversation, -and reflection? Is there no object of interest which may be -examined by the way? Is there no person of piety or talent, -with whom we may find a passing opportunity of -communicating? Are the motions of the coach or chariot so -rapid, that we cannot leave behind us, as we pass from place to -place, important instruction in the form of Bibles, Testaments, -or tracts? <i>Much</i> may not be required of us; but it is -well, if on our arrival at our place of destination, we can -acknowledge that we have both received and communicated a -<i>little</i> good in the course of our <a -name="page17"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -17</span>journey.” And again. “As the -servant who waits well on his master, is ever on the <i>qui -vive</i> to know what will be next wanted, so are we to wait on -the hours, and even on the moments of each passing day, to know -what duties they point out to us, or what employments they -suggest for the improvement of our minds.”</p> -<p>Thus it was, brethren, that our departed friend endeavoured to -discharge the office of a servant in his own generation. He -served it, by a public profession of the gospel of Christ; by a -consistent and influential character; by his liberal -contributions to the cause of humanity and religion; by his -personal efforts and writings; and by seizing present -opportunities of usefulness, and acting in accordance with the -requirements of the times.</p> -<p>But we have still to remark, secondly, that a Christian is to -serve his own generation <span class="smcap">in accordance with -the will of God</span>. The text may indeed be read, -“after he had, in his own generation, served the will of -God.” But even this arrangement of the words implies, -that the service which he rendered, in the midst of his own -generation, was according to the will of God; and as this refers -to the principle and motive of Christian service, it can be -applied, equally with the former expression, to the service -rendered by our Christian brother, the strongest desire of whose -heart it was, so to serve as to please God.</p> -<p>A man may do right acts from wrong motives. The -Pharisees gave alms to the poor. That was right. But -their motive in giving, was to be seen of men. That was -wrong. It was seeking to please men rather than God, who -trieth the hearts. No action can be religious which has not -its motive and its end in God, and which is not in accordance -with his will. The man, therefore, who properly and -acceptably serves his own generation, must do it by the will of -<a name="page18"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 18</span>God. -This was exactly the opinion of our beloved friend. -“Paul,” says he, often declares himself to be -“an apostle by the will of God. Now we may rest -assured that had not his will been surrendered at discretion, he -would neither have been enabled to lead a life of holiness, nor -have been qualified for his peculiar path of religious -duty. His whole work and service would have been marred; -and he would have been comparable to nothing better than a -stunted tree, bringing forth fruit destined not to ripen. -Such a sacrifice of the will, is indeed absolutely necessary, not -merely to the general purposes of virtue, but to the specific -value and usefulness of every member of the church of -Christ.”</p> -<p>Acting on these great principles, our departed brother served -his own generation <i>in accordance with the revealed will of God -in the Bible</i>. Whatever peculiarities distinguished him -as a member of the Society of Friends, he believed them to be in -conformity with the holy Scriptures; and I am sure that, so far -as the office of a christian servant is concerned, he would -acknowledge no will that appeared to him to be contrary to -“the will of God” as revealed in the inspired -volume. If he followed the light within himself, it was -because he believed it to be from the same divine source with the -light without, which shines upon the sacred pages. He was a -most attentive and devout reader of this holy book, not only in -the family, but in the closet, and in the study; and it was not -unusual with him to invite the visitors at his house to join him -in those morning readings in the Greek Testament, in which, after -breakfast, he was accustomed to engage. The frequency and -devotion with which he searched the scriptures, to ascertain his -Lord’s will, he earnestly recommended to others; and you -are all witnesses how often, in his Bible society Speeches, he -repeated and enforced the apostolic declaration, “all -scripture <a name="page19"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -19</span>is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for -doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in -righteousness.”</p> -<p>He served his own generation, under a deep conviction of -<i>the supreme and rightful authority of God over him</i>. -There are many persons who live and act on the principle that -they have a right to do what they will with themselves, and with -what they call their own. “Our lips, say they, are -our own, who is Lord over us?” “I am not my -own,” was the language of our christian brother. -“I belong to Christ, my Lord and Master.” And -in language literally his own, he declares, “there is -nothing more distasteful to the natural man, than the piercing -spirituality, the comprehensive grasp, and the binding authority -of God’s precepts. The child of darkness prefers his -own devices—he is a rebel to the core. But -Christianity requires an uncompromising compliance with the whole -counsel of God as it relates to our conduct. Our whole life -must be regulated by the directions of his perfect law. No -rebellious feeling, no corrupt motive or thought must be -harboured; no favourite sin spared; no unwelcome duty -omitted.” <a name="citation19"></a><a href="#footnote19" -class="citation">[19]</a></p> -<p>He served also in remembrance of <i>his responsibility to -God</i>. Every step he took in this service, he felt was on -his way to the judgment seat, there to give an account of himself -unto God. And we, be it remembered, are perpetually -approaching the same tribunal. We can no more get rid of -our responsibility, than we can of our immortality. Whether -we admit it or deny it; whether we declare ourselves to be -accountable to God, or independent of God; the great white throne -is before us, and he that sits upon it, “will bring every -work into judgment, and every secret thing, whether it be good or -bad.”</p> -<p><a name="page20"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 20</span>And, -once more, he served <i>under a deep sense of obligation to -God</i>. There is no motive in the universe of such mighty -power, in the divine service, as the love of Christ to sinners; -his love in redemption; his love in dying for the ungodly. -“The love of Christ constraineth us.” And while -it constrains us to love Christ, who redeemed us with his -precious blood, it also constrains us to persevere in a course of -christian service, with an alacrity and devotedness which no -other motive could inspire. Oh! how this was felt by our -beloved friend. What a master motive to his heart was the -love of Christ in becoming the propitiation for our sins! -In his speeches, and in his writings, what lofty inspiration did -the theme produce! and how he seemed to feel as if he could never -say enough, nor do enough, to testify his obligation to that -benignant Master, “who loved him, and gave himself for -him!”</p> -<p>Delightful as it is, thus to speak of one, who, after this -manner, served his own generation according to the will of God, -we nevertheless desire to say it all in perfect accordance with -the doctrine, that all his disposition, and all his capacity, for -his Master’s service, was derived entirely from his -Master’s grace. I should be doing a grievous wrong, -not only to Scripture sentiment, but to his own most cherished -convictions, if I were in the least degree to intimate that any -of his spiritual excellencies were either self-originated or -meritoriously exercised. No—amidst my highest -admiration of his character, I would remember the admonition -which he gave to me, when he met me on my way to preach the -funeral sermon for Joseph Kinghorn—“praise the -Master, not the servant;” and I do so when I say, that all -which the servant became, the Master made him. The same -hand which gave him the reward of the faithful servant, had -previously given him the fidelity; and, therefore, we glorify God -in him; and we carefully <a name="page21"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 21</span>remember, that the holiest christian -on earth, and the brightest saint in heaven, willingly unite in -the one declaration, “By the grace of God I am what I -am.”</p> -<p>III. Our remarks on the christian servant must now be -brought to a close; and having considered the office which he -sustains, and the manner in which it is to be discharged, I must -briefly consider in the third place, <span class="GutSmall">THE -STATE IN WHICH IT TERMINATES</span>. “For David, -after he had served his own generation, by the will of God, fell -on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers.”</p> -<p>“<i>He fell on sleep</i>”—not, he -died. “He that believeth on me, says Christ, shall -never die.” He becomes absent from the body, and is -present with the Lord; but this is not dying. It is not -death, to close our eyes on earth, and open them in heaven; to -lose the embrace of earthly friendship, and fall into the arms of -Christ. This is not death; nor is it even sleep, so far as -the spirit of the Christian servant is concerned. The -spirit becomes absent from the body, and present with the -Lord. It goes out of its tabernacle of clay, into the house -which is not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and there -it joins the spirits of just men made perfect, in the general -assembly and church of the first-born. But the body sleeps, -and sleeps in Jesus, who redeemed it with his precious blood; who -made it a temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell in; who will watch -over its precious dust while it remains in the grave, -“waiting there for the adoption, to wit the redemption of -the body;” and who, when that morning of adoption dawns, -will “come to wake it out of sleep, and to fashion it like -unto his own glorious body;” “for this corruptible -must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on -immortality.”</p> -<p>“<i>And was laid unto his fathers</i>.” The -phrase in the Old Testament is, “He was gathered to his -people.” So far as it may refer to the body, it -alludes to the gathering in the <a name="page22"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 22</span>grave; but even in the earliest -times, when the phrase was used, it looked beyond the grave, to -the people whom God had begun to gather round his throne. -And from the days of the patriarchs to our own, the God of all -grace has been still increasing the number, and gathering his -saints together, “who have made a covenant with him by -sacrifice.” And when the spirit of our departed -friend entered the mansions of his Father’s house, to what -a numerous and a glorious company was he gathered, of those who -had gone before, in ancient and in modern times. And while -it is to Christ, that the gathering of the people shall be, and -while he will be to them, throughout eternity, their joy, and -glory, and heaven, yet blessed and celestial will be the -recognitions and the remembrances, when the newly arrived guest -is introduced to his former companions and coadjutors. What -heart can conceive of the heavenly joy with which our departed -brother, on his arrival there, met with those eminent and holy -men, with whom, when on earth, he had taken sweet counsel, in -works of faith and labours of love. What tongue can tell -the greetings with which he was welcomed to the Marriage Supper -of the Lamb, when he sat down with Patriarchs, and Prophets, and -Apostles, and Martyrs—with Wilberforce, and Simeon, and -Buxton, and the glorious company of the Redeemed, in the presence -of Christ the Master of the feast! Oh! to be thus gathered -to the general assembly and church of the first-born, in that -land of light and immortality, where there is no shade to dim its -brightness; no sin to defile its purity; no tribulation to -interrupt its joys; no languor, no pain, no disease, to burden -the willing spirit; and no death to break up the blessed -family. Lord “gather not my soul with -sinners.” Let me, O Lord, be gathered to my fathers -in Christ. “Let me die the death of the righteous, -let my last end be like his!”</p> -<p>Well might “devout men carry him to the grave, and <a -name="page23"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 23</span>make great -lamentation for him.” Well might the whole city -assume the appearance of a consecrated sabbath, and send forth -its thousands and tens of thousands to mourn at his -funeral. Well might the voice of triumph mingle with the -voice of tears, and exclaim at his sepulchre, “Thanks be to -God who hath given him the victory, through our Lord Jesus -Christ;” for “a prince and a great man has fallen in -Israel.” And by his death, which has brought such -gain to himself, the poor have lost a sympathizing benefactor; -society has lost a bright example; the church of Christ has lost -a beloved brother, a laborious servant, and a faithful minister -of the gospel; and his own mourning family have lost “the -desire of their eyes with a stroke.” Let us then -endeavour to supply all this loss, as far as we are able. -Let each of us determine, by the grace of God, to serve our own -generation with increasing energy and devotedness. And let -the review of his life, and the rapidity of his death, urge us -all to be “steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in -the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not -in vain in the Lord.”</p> -<h2><a name="page24"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 24</span>BY THE -SAME AUTHOR.</h2> -<p>THE PREACHER FROM THE PRESS. Sermons to explain and to -recommend the Gospel of Jesus Christ.—2 vols., cloth -boards, <i>Price</i> 6<i>s.</i></p> -<p>THE DEATH OF A MINISTER AN EVENT OF PECULIAR IMPORTANCE. -A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. <span class="smcap">John -Sykes</span>, of Guestwick.</p> -<p>THE MOURNING CONGREGATION REMINDED OF THE WORK OF THEIR -DECEASED MINISTER. A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. Joseph -Kinghorn, of Norwich.</p> -<p>CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. An appeal to Christians on the Duty -and Importance of Communion with the Church.</p> -<p>THE OBJECTS AND MOTIVES OF MODERN NONCONFORMISTS. A -Sermon preached at the Opening of Hingham Chapel.</p> -<p>THE BAPTISM OF THE PRINCE. A Sermon preached in -anticipation of the Baptism of his Royal Highness the Prince of -Wales.</p> -<p>APOSTOLIC WAYS IN THE CHURCH. The Introductory Discourse -delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. <span -class="smcap">Andrew Reed</span>, B.A. in the Old Meeting House, -Norwich.</p> -<h2>FOOTNOTES.</h2> -<p><a name="footnote11"></a><a href="#citation11" -class="footnote">[11]</a> Essay on Love to God, p. 121.</p> -<p><a name="footnote19"></a><a href="#citation19" -class="footnote">[19]</a> Essay on Love to God, p. 117.</p> -<pre> - - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRISTIAN SERVING HIS OWN -GENERATION*** - - -***** This file should be named 63770-h.htm or 63770-h.zip****** - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/3/7/7/63770 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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