Transcribed from the 1857 Thomas Hatchard edition by DavidPrice,
A SERMON
PREACHED IN CROMER CHURCH,
ON FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1857,
BY
THE REV. EDWARD HOARE,A.M.,
INCUMBENT OF TRINITY CHURCH,TUNBRIDGE-WELLS,
On Occasion of the Death
OF
MISS ANNA GURNEY,
OF NORTHREPPS COTTAGE.
LONDON:
THOMAS HATCHARD, 187, PICCADILLY.
1857.
p. 2MACINTOSH,PRINTER,
GREAT NEW-STREET, LONDON.
John ix. 4.
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it isday: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
This week has been one of heavysorrow to very many. The neighbourhood has lost one who formany years has stood foremost in large-hearted Christianbenevolence. The poor have been deprived of a kind friend,to whose liberality they might ever resort. The childrenhave been bereaved of one who has for years been anxious todevote her attentive care to their early training; and all whohave ever needed a sympathizing friend have followed one this dayto the grave as warm-hearted, energetic, and intelligent as isoften to be met with in society. Her character is welldescribed in some lines written by herself on the death of oneshe dearly loved—
“Within this frame, by Jesu’sgrace,
High gifts and holy held their place;
A noble heart, a mighty mind,
Were here in bonds of clay confined.”
p. 4And allthis is now gone. The spirit has taken its flight. Northrepps Cottage is without its tenant. The ruins of thebody have been left this morning in the ruins of the littlechurch, and many a weeping heart has sent forth its unmistakableevidence of genuine and deep-felt sorrow.
But we may be quite certain that there is a wise unseenpurpose in this bereavement. Not a sparrow falls to theground without the Father’s knowledge, and how much moremay we be satisfied that “precious in the sight of the Lordis the death of his saints.” There are many of hisdispensations which seem very dark to short-sighted men, but theyall have their sure purpose. Many and bitter were the tearsshed at Bethany when Lazarus died; painful and anxious thewatchings of his affectionate sisters as they saw their dearbrother growing worse and worse, till all hope ceased, and thestruggle ended in his death. Yet all was for a graciouspurpose; as the Lord Himself said, “This sickness is notunto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God mightbe glorified thereby.” Many, doubtless, were thetears shed by the parents of the blind man whose case isdescribed in our chapter. Many a heartache must they bothhave felt as they saw their dear boy in the midst of hiscompanions, but unable through his p. 5blindness to share their games orenjoy their pleasures; but there was a kind purpose in thatlengthened trial, for as we read in verse 3, it was permitted“that the works of God should