A Farewell Sermon: delivered on Sunday, October 23, A.D. 1842, at the Parish Church of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington

In Short

This farewell sermon, delivered in 1842 at St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington, serves as both a pastoral valediction and a theological meditation on the significance of human life. Using Ecclesiastes 3:1 as his foundation, the author explores how every season of life—from childhood to old age—holds inherent value under divine providence. He offers his congregation a final synthesis of his teachings: the necessity of the Sabbath, the importance of avoiding partial or extreme religious views, and the enduring power of charity. It remains a poignant record of nineteenth-century Anglican pastoral care and intellectual rigor.

The Story

The discourse begins by addressing the natural human tendency to mourn the brevity of life or the "cutting off" of one’s days. Drawing upon biblical examples, the author contrasts the lamentations of King Hezekiah with the more purposeful pleas of David, suggesting that we often fail to recognize the inherent completeness of the time we are granted. He argues that life, regardless of its duration, is a loan from God that carries its own divine purpose and capacity for grace. Whether a life is short, cut off in childhood, or stretched into the long twilight of old age, it is not a matter of chance or tragedy but part of a divine order that sanctifies every stage.

The narrative arc moves from this broad existential comfort to the practical application of religious duty. The author uses the biblical figure of Barzillai, the elderly man who declined the King’s invitation to court, to discuss the responsibilities of the old toward the young. He posits that the elderly serve their society by acting as stewards of experience, ensuring that the legacy of service is passed on to the next generation. This leads him to a profound reflection on the Sabbath—not merely as a legalistic constraint, but as a recurring, divinely appointed "respite" that provides a necessary rhythm for the human soul.

From the Sabbath, the focus shifts to the intellectual life of the believer. The author warns against "partial views" of scripture, where one truth is pitted against another to create discord. He illustrates this with the parable of the Prodigal Son, cautioning against the temptation to view the returning sinner as inherently more valuable than the one who remained steadfast. His argument is that maturity in faith requires a balanced, comprehensive understanding of God’s character, which encompasses both justice and mercy.

As the sermon reaches its conclusion, the author addresses the delicate balance between duty and zeal. He warns against "counsels" or traditions that individuals elevate above the clear commandments of God, specifically citing the error of those who seek unnecessary martyrdom or impose ascetic burdens that were never commanded. He calls for a "reasonable service," grounded in the essential, unchanging precepts of loving God and one’s neighbor.

The final movement of the sermon is a transition from teaching to leave-taking. He acknowledges the departure from his pastoral station with a mixture of humility and gratitude, urging his congregation to maintain the unity of the Spirit. He concludes by offering a final, blessing-filled farewell, expressing his fervent hope that his parishioners will continue to grow in knowledge and judgment, remaining "sincere, and without offence until the day of Christ."

How It Unfolds

The purpose of time The author establishes that life is a loan from the Creator, arguing that we should view our time not as a sequence of losses but as a succession of divinely ordered seasons. He rejects the idea that any span of life is too short to be meaningful.

The stages of existence The narrative traces the value of life from the "bud and blossom" of childhood to the "burdens and privations" of old age. He uses the story of David and Barzillai to illustrate that even when one’s own physical strength fades, one’s duty to the community through successors remains.

The sanctity of the Sabbath He identifies the Sabbath as a perpetual, unchangeable institution designed to provide rest and spiritual alignment. He emphasizes that the Sabbath should be celebrated as a day of joy and resurrection rather than a day of Jewish superstition or rigid legalism.

The pitfalls of misinterpretation The author provides a cautionary critique of modern religious strifes, arguing that these often arise from "partial views" of scripture. He urges his readers to seek the plain, comprehensive testimonies of the Bible rather than straining for fallacious, narrow conclusions.

The call to pastoral unity The conclusion serves as a final, earnest plea for order, peace, and charity. He reminds his congregation that while he is departing, the authority of the pastoral office and the requirements of the Christian life remain constant.

The People

The central figure is the author himself, who presents as a seasoned, steady, and deeply affectionate pastor. He is a man who values authority and order, yet he is clearly moved by the emotional weight of his impending departure from a parish he has shepherded for a long time. He positions himself not as a master, but as a "faithful servant" who wishes to leave his flock with the tools for intellectual and spiritual independence.

He interacts with a cast of biblical characters who serve as mirrors for his congregation. King David appears as a model of leadership, showing grace to Mephibosheth despite the latter's physical frailty, thereby teaching the importance of recognizing worth beyond mere utility. Barzillai represents the aged believer, someone who recognizes the limits of his own body but acts with the wisdom to secure the future for the next generation. The "aspiring youth" or the "boastful Pharisee" serve as negative examples—figures who rely on their own self-importance or flawed zeal rather than the humble, clear commands of God. Finally, the "Gentile sages" are treated with respect, as the author acknowledges that even outside of formal revelation, the human capacity for reason and moral judgment reflects a first, faint image of the Creator.

In Its Own Voice

"A sad thing it would be, indeed, if the last portion of our time were to be reserved for some single effort: for who can accomplish at one step that which a daily progress only can effect?"

The author uses this reflection to argue that a life of consistent, daily practice is far superior to any sudden, late-in-life attempt at moral reformation.

"If the thread of life, which, in this case, was so soon severed from the parent’s bosom, was fastened to the throne of heaven, and death has no power to dissolve it."

In addressing the loss of children, the author comforts the bereaved with the assurance that their eternal status is secure despite their brief earthly span.

"It is the plain stamp of barbarism which rests upon those governments which do not recognize this principle, and where the hand of power makes one only testament for the frail possessor after all his services."

The author defends the importance of heritage and familial legacy as a moral necessity in a civilized society.

What It's Really About

At its core, this sermon is an argument for the consistency and "equability" of God’s moral government. The author seeks to reconcile the apparent randomness of life’s length and trials with the idea of a purposeful, divine design. He posits that if God’s ways are equal, then the believer’s duty is to find contentment and purpose in whatever season they occupy. He is deeply concerned with the dangers of religious extremism and intellectual fragmentation, advocating for a moderate, grounded, and historically rooted faith. It is a defense of institutional stability and the idea that, through reason and scripture, the complexities of human life can be reconciled with the unchanging character of the Divine.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the measured, eloquent prose of the early nineteenth century will find this sermon a rewarding exercise in classical rhetoric. It is not an easy read; it assumes a high level of biblical literacy and an acquaintance with historical and classical allusions. The author’s style is dense and formal, typical of a period when a sermon was as much an intellectual workout as a devotional exercise.

You will find it particularly poignant if you are interested in the history of pastoral care or the changing landscape of religious thought in the 1840s. It feels like stepping into a quiet, wood-paneled study to hear an elder statesman of the church provide his final, distilled wisdom. While some of his period-specific attitudes—such as his rigid defense of "authority" and "station"—may strike a modern reader as dated, his underlying message about the value of friendship, the necessity of patience, and the importance of avoiding the "pestilent opinions" of those who would sow discord remains surprisingly relevant. It is a slow, thoughtful book that demands the reader pause and reflect on the seasons of their own life. If you value grace, historical continuity, and the beauty of formal, structured argument, this brief text offers a rare, calm voice from a vanished time.