"We are now come to the close of another ecclesiastical year"

From Parochial Sermons, from Trinity to Advent Sunday (1846) by Henry James Hastings (who was also the author of A Plea for the Prayer Book As It Is, 1858), an extract from the sermon for the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity, the Sunday before Advent. This powerfully combines the collect's opening petition, "Stir up", with the Gospel of the day, St. John's account of the miracle of the loaves:

Let us all keep duly in mind that we are now come to the close of another ecclesiastical year. In looking back upon it, have we not reason to fear that much has been lost of spiritual good and advancement, through our own negligence and supineness and sloth and indifference - means of grace have been abused, sacraments have been neglected, sabbaths have been wasted, the word of God has been put aside, religious habits have not been cultivated, the Saviour has not been loved and trusted in. Will not these things lie heavy upon us in eternity? Let us gather up the fragments that remain. Improve at least this day of holiness. Pray that the means of grace may not be attended this day in vain. Determine to redeem the time that remains. Gather up its morsels, that you may be ready to engage in all holy services, that your heart may be seasoned with grace, that you may be fed and nourished with the bread of heaven. Let it be your desire so to profit by the ordinances of the church and the provision which your spiritual mother sets before you from year to year, that you may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may abound in the fruits of righteousness. Let nothing of spiritual good be lost through your neglect and wastefulness, that you may secure your soul's salvation, and in your appointed time be transplanted from the church on earth to His church in heaven. Now it is your privilege to feed on the bread of life in the tabernacle below - then you will be permitted to eat of the hidden manna, and you will go no more out to labour for ever.

(The photograph is of November in Jeremy Taylor country.)

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