FAREWELL SERMONS, PREACHED IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF SEDGLEY. BY THE REV. CHARLES GIRDLESTONE, M.A. RECTOR OF ALDERLEY, CHESHIRE. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL; & H. C. LANGBRIDGE, BIRMINGHAM. 1837. TO THE PARISHIONERS OF SEDGLEY AND MORE ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTEND THE SERVICES OF THE PARISH CHURCH THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED IN THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR KIND REGARDS AND WITH THE EARNEST PRAYER THAT IT MAY HELP TO MAKE THEM WISE UNTO SALVATION BY THEIR LATE PASTOR AND EVER MOST FAITHFUL FRIEND CHARLES GIRDLESTONE PREFACE. IN retiring from a charge of such extent and importance as the Vicarage of Sedgley, and presenting to my late parishioners this volume of farewell discourses, I take the opportunity of putting into their hands a summary account of various measures, which have been commenced or carried on, during the eleven years of my incumbency, for increasing the efficiency of the church in their parish. For though this review of the past must make me reflect with pain, how much more I might have done, and ought to have done, for their good, I hope that it will also dispose those who are most deeply concerned, to feel a more lively interest in promoting the success of the several undertakings here mentioned. May He, from whom alone all good proceeds, prosper the work of our hands, and incline our hearts to ascribe all the glory to his most holy name! Of the Churches in the Parish. In the year 1825 subscriptions were entered. into, for rebuilding the parish church of Sedgley. A grant of 500l. had been voted by the incorporated Church Building Society, and considerable progress had been made in raising the funds; when the following letter was received by one of the members of the committee, from the late |