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THE

FADING LEAF,

OR THE

AUTUMN ©F HUMAN LIFE:

SERMON.

BY

The Rev. B. CARPENTER.

Birmingham:
PRINTED AND PTJBLISHED BY JAMES BELCHER AND SON:
sold also by
SHERWOOD AND CO. PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.
1815.

Price One Shilling.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following Sermon was the tra
velling companion of the Author through
many a fine Autumnal scene, and in
visiting many valuable Friends, whom
he found (as they found him) in the
Autumn of Life. It was preached at
Stourbridge, October 1 ; at Exeter, Oc
tober 8 ; at Yeovil, October 15; at Hath,
October 22 ; at Bristol, October 29, and
at Cradley, November 5, and is now
committed to the Press, with the hope,
that, through the blessing of God, it may
give rise to some pious and useful re
flections, and afford some consolation to
those who are in the declining period of
Life.
Stourbridge, November 7, 1815.

THE
FADING LEAF,
Oil THE
AUTUMN OF HUMAN LIFE
Sfc. Src.

ISAIAH lxiv. 6.
And we all do fade as a Leaf.

IF we divide the life of Man, as the
year is divided, into four Seasons, I
think we may regard the first twenty-
five years of it as the Spring ; the next
twenty-five years as the Summer ; the
next twenty, i. e. from the age of fifty
to seventy, as the Autumn, and all be
yond this as the Winter of human life —
a Winter which is sometimes mild, green
and flourishing, but often dreary, cold
and uncomfortable.
The present declining Season of the
year; the autumnal scenes with which
we are surrounded ; the fading and the

G
falling Leaf; the driving rain and the
howling blast, may well lead us to con
template the declining period of human
Life. And this period resembles Autumn
in several respects. As in Autumn the
rich fruits of the Earth arrive at matu
rity, so at this period of human life the
fruits of knowledge and experience are
come to maturity : as the autumnal sea
son disposes the mind for calm and pen
sive meditation and reflection, so this
season of life may well give rise to pen
sive and serious reflection: and as Autumn
is the declining period of the year, so the
autumnal is the declining period of hu
man Life : then we all do fade as a
Leaf. I. As in Autumn the rich fruits of
the Earth come to maturity, so in the
autumn of Life, knowledge and experi
ence, which are the fruits of the Mind,
arrive at maturity.
The blossoms which in the Spring de
lighted us with their beauty and fra-

grance, which were afterwards -formed
into fruit that grew and flourished during
the Summer, in Autumn arrive at per
fection, and are gathered for our use.
Then the rich productions of the Gar
den, the Orchard and the Vineyard gra
tify our taste by their delicious flavour
and wonderful variety, contribute to sup
port our bodies, and by their whole
some qualities promote our health.
God "bringeth food out of the Earth,
and Wine that maketh glad the heart
of man, and Oil which maketh his face
to shine, and Bread which strengtheneth
man's heart."
And at the autumnal period of hu
man life, the valuable knowledge acquir
ed in youth, which has been improved
by the observation and experience of
riper years, arrives at maturity. A per
son is then taught to correct the errors
into which he has fallen, to see the mis
takes which he has made and to repent
of many a false step which he has taken.
He learns to view the World in its true

8
light, and finds from his own experience
that it cannot impart the happiness
which he aspires after. Often is he dis
posed to take up the Lamentation of
Solomon, and to say " Vanity of vanities,
all is vanity." His principles are now
fixed, his habits are formed, and his cha
racter is such as it will probably remain
through life and through the following
stage of his existence. Happy is it for
him, if his principles are wise and just,
if the habits which he has formed are
those of piety and benevolence, and if
his character be such as to afford him
satisfaction and hope.
II. Autumn is the season which dis
poses the mind for calm and serious
meditation ; and the autumn of life may
well produce the same effect.
The serene state of the air, which
often prevails at this season of the year,
tends to calm and tranquillize the mind.
The Spring which afforded such numerous
beauties, delights us no longer: the time

9
«f the singing of Birds is gone : most of
the flowers which appeared on the earth
have now withered, and Nature no longer
wears a gay or a cheering dress. All the
surrounding scenes put us in mind that
the year is declining in its course, and
that Winter is approaching. We are then
naturally led to ponder and to consider
what provision we have made and what
resources we have provided for the bleak
and barren months which are coming
upon us.
And in the autumnal period of life,
a person may indulge many pensive
thoughts and sober reflections. The vi
vacity of youth, the vigor of manhood
are departed, and he perceives that the
greatest and the best portion of his days,
is gone. Most of those who entered with
him on the journey of life have disap
peared. When he looks around him and
contemplates the persons with whom he
is now conversant, how few does he
behold who were the companions of
his childhood and youth ! Many who
B

10
entered on life with "as fair, or perhaps
a fairer prospect than himself, of living
to the present day, are numbered with
the dead. He has been exposed to the
same accidents ; he has been liable to
the same disorders ; and when he looks
back on the perils which he has escaped,
he sees reason to acknowledge with the
Apostle Paul-'" Having obtained help
from God I continue until this day."
In the Autumn of life a person* may
reflect with satisfaction, that the greatest
part of his Pilgrimage is past ; that'.the
dangerous temptations which 'assaulted
his youth will not be repeated ; and if
during1 his past life he < has exercised; a
conscience void of offence towards Gtid
and man, he may regard his calling and
election as ^almost sure. -I say almost
sure, for whilst this state of trial and pro
bation lasts he is never perfectly secure.
The hurry and bustle of 'Life*, the noise
and din of the World haVe less influence
upon his happiness ' or misery. Now his
chief enquiry is, or at least ought to be!

11
in what manner he has passed through the
busy scenes of life, and what provision
he has made for that state Avhich is fast
approaching. III.. As Autumn is the fading and
declining Season of the year, so the au
tumnal is the fading and declining Sea
son of human Life.
In many rfespects there is a resem
blance between the vegetable creation
and the human Race. Man cometh forth
like a flower and is cut down. Even in
Spring the blossom is sometimes cut off
by a nipping Frost, and the leaf is de
stroyed by a secret Worm. Thus maiiy
of the children of Men are cut off in
childhood and youth. But if the tree
escape the blight and the frosts of Spring,
if its leaves continue vigorous and flou
rishing through the Summer, Autumn
approaches, and then they fade and
wither. Thus if a person escapes all
those disorders to which childhood and
youth are liable ; if he continues unhurt

12
amidst all the accidents and diseases to
which he is exposed in every succeeding
period of his life ; if he arrives at the
autumnal season in safety, then his ac
tivity and his senses, his strength and
his vigour do fade. His sight becomes
less clear, his hearing less acute. The
keepers of the House tremble, and the
strong men bow themselves.
But all are not alike in this respect,
nor are the leaves of trees all alike.
Sometimes you discern a few green leaves
when Autumn has far advanced, and
even after the approach of Winter : whilst
the other leaves of the Tree are fading or
falling, these retain their freshness and
verdure. And sometimes in the midst
of a Forest of trees, most of which have
entirely lost their leaves, and others re
tain them in a languid state, you may
discern a few Trees, or perhaps a single
Tree, which still looks fair and flourish
ing, and discovers no outward symptoms
of decay.

13
Thus, in the autumnal period of life,
you may observe a few persons who dis
cover great activity and vigour ; who
still retain the perfect use of their bodily
senses and their mental faculties. In de
clining life they have preserved much of
the fire of youth and the vigour of
manhood. But as the green leaf in Au
tumn, though it afford no outward symp
tom of decay, has yet no inward strength
to resist any violence, but is blown off
by a gust of wind, or silently drops after
a frosty night ; so the sprightliness and
vigour of Age is but little able to resist
the attack of disease or any violent as
sault. Have you not sometimes seen the
leaves of the trees in Autumn scattered
about by a Storm and almost darken the
air by their vast number, or after a frosty
night fall thick as Hail on the ground ?
This stormy Wind and this killing Frost
may be compared to those bloody Battles
in which Thousands of the human race
are cut off in a single day ; or to those

14
dreadful Earthquakes which swallow up
multitudes in an instant; or to the Plague
and Pestilence, which ravage and almost
depopulate a whole country in a short
period. But if we escape the Sword and
the Earthquake and the Pestilence, and,
all those other accidents and maladies
to which we are liable ; if we arrive in
safety at the declining period of life, and
even attain the age of threescore years
and ten, then we all do fade as a Leaf.
But though the Autumn reminds us
that the year is declining in its course
and approaching its final close ; yet how
rich and pleasing is a fine autumnal
Scene ! When we look upon a Grove of
trees, and observe the different colours
and shades which it exhibits: the green,
the pale and the deep yellow, the brown,
the orange and the purple, we are de
lighted with this variety, and calmly ad
mire the scene. But when the Sun shinef
upon this autumnal prospect, delighting
but not dazzling the eyes, like the glow
of Summer,; then we gaze almpst , with

15
rapture, and are not soon weary of be
holding, a
With such, though with more refined
pleasure, do we contemplate an amiable
and dignified character in the decline of
life. When we behold sound sense and
solid judgment matured by reflection and
experience ; when the vivacity of youth
and the vigour of manhood are giving
way to the depth of Age ; when this per
son has stood firm against those " youth
ful lusts which war against the Soul" and
also against the Body ; when he has
triumphed over those temptations which
have assailed his integrity in succeeding
years ; when he has spent a life respect
able for personal and useful in social vir
tues ; and when Piety, like an autumnal
Sun, enlivens, enriches and ennobles this
character; then that love and venera
tion for worth and excellence, which
are implanted in our souls, is highly
"•ratified, and we contemplate such a
person with exalted pleasure.

16
Let us now make some Reflections on
the Subject that we have been contemp
lating, and
First; We may observe that God
has made all things beautiful in their
Season.

Pleasing is the Sun when he risesi in
mild majesty ; glorious when he shines in
his meridian lustre, and delightful when
he gilds the western Horizon. Pleasing
is the opening Year, when the vegetable
creation springs forth into a new life ;
when the Winter is past ; when the rains
are over and gone ; when the flowers
appear on the Earth ; when the time
of the singing of Birds is come, and the
voice of the Turtle is heard in the land.
Rich and glorious is the scene which
the Summer presents to our view in the
ripening fruits and corn. Gratifying are
the scenes of Autumn which yields us
those productions which the Spring and
Summer have been preparing for our use.
Nor are the barren months of Winter

17
destitute of all solace and comfort. The
cheerful Fire-side, the social Converse,
with entertaining and instructive Books,
serve to dispel the gloom of these dreary
Months. At this Season also, the God
of Nature is secretly and silently pre
paring water for the Springs, and fer
tility for the Fields, by his Frost and
Snow. Beautiful in their season also are the
several Periods of human Life. The
innocence of Infancy ; the sprightliness
of Childhood ; the activity of Youth ;
the vigour of Manhood ; the gravity of
declining years, and the experience of
Age, are all beautiful in their season.
Let not Youth then be disgusted at the
gravity of Age, and let not Age be dis
pleased with the vivacity of Youth.
We may further observe and adore
the Wisdom and Goodness of the God
of Nature and the Creator of Man,
that He does nor bring upon us the seve
ral seasons of the year and the several
c

18
periods of human Life, suddenly and
abruptly, but imperceptibly blends them
one into the other ; so that we are by
degrees fitted for and reconciled to the
several changes which come upon us.
" O that men would praise the Lord for
his goodness and for his wonderful works
unto the children of men."
Secondly, It becomes those of us, who
have arrived at the autumnal season of
life, to act in a manner suitable to this
period. We who have passed the meridian of
life, and whose Sun is declining in its
course, are prone to indulge too unfa
vourable an opinion of mankind. We
have seen so many instances of folly, de
ceit and knavery, that we are ready, with
the Psalmist, to say in our haste, " All
men are liars," and to forget the many
instances of inviolable truth and inte
grity which we have witnessed. We are
too prone to expect that Youth should
behave with that thoughtfulness and pru-

10
dence which can only rise from the ex
perience of riper years, and to be too
harsh and severe when the language of
Youth is, " Have patience with me, and
I shall act better." We are apt to be too
much disgusted with those manners and
customs which are different from what
we witnessed in our youthful days, and
are ready to imagine that persons and
things about us are changed, when the
change is in ourselves only. At the same
time, such inconsistent creatures are we,
that we are in danger of loving the things
of this World more, when we have less
time to enjoy them ; and, forgetting that
weakness and infirmity are the necessary
consequence of declining years, and the
wise appointment of Heaven, we are
prone to grow impatient and discon
tented. These, I think, are the failings
and sins which most easily beset us.
Let us now consider the Duties to
which we are peculiarly called. And
these are, in the first and chief place,
thankfulness to that good God, who has

20
fed and clothed and provided for us
through the different stages of our lives,
and a cheerful trust that he will never
forsake us, but afford us those comforts
and supports which are suitable to our
future wants and trials.
We should bear our testimony to " the
good ways of the Lord," and declare to
the young and rising generation " That
we have found, by long experience, that
we never walked surely but when we
walked uprightly, and that it never was
so well with us as when we put our trust

in God,

3)

Whilst we impart our counsels, ad
monitions and encouragement to the
young, let us thankfully receive the as
sistance which their strength and activity
may afford " When thou wast young,"
said our Lord to Peter, thus pointing out
the difference between youth and age, as
well as alluding to the kind of death
by which he should glorify God, " When
thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself

21
and walkedst whither thou wouldst ; but
when thou shalt be old, thou shalt
stretch forth thy hands and another shall
gird thee and carry thee whither thou
wouldst not." And if others will assist
us in putting on our garments, when we
cannot gird ourselves ; if they will aid
our feeble steps, and guide us whither we
would go ; if they will compassionate our
failing sight by reading to us, and if they
will patiently bear with our dulness of
hearing, and speak to us with a distinct
and audible voice, let us thankfully
receive their kind and friendly assist
ance. It becomes us with tranquillity, with
faith and hope, to look forward to the
termination of our pilgrimage ; to do,
without delay, whatever is still wanting
to set our houses and our souls in order
before we depart ; gracefully to resign
our places to those whom Providence has
appointed to succeed us, and to be
'• looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

With satisfaction may we reflect that
we have already borne the heat and
burthen of the day ; that they will not
be renewed, and that the most trying
part of our conflict is over ; that sin can
not so easily seduce us by its deceitful-
ness ; nor the World impose upon us by
its false appearances and promises. Its
commotions and disorders we may re
gard not as uninteresting to us, for whilst
we are amongst men, we must and ought
to be interested in their welfare : but the
commotions and disorders of the World,
and the controversies in the Church of
Christ, we may justly regard as less in
teresting to us. We may reflect
Thirdly, That though we fade like a
Leaf, we shall not perish.
The Leaf that we see fade and fall and
decay, does not perish. It is not lost in
the creation of God. It becomes a rich
vegetable mould, and contributes to the
nourishment of other plants. It again
becomes part of a leaf, or flower, or fruit.

23
It again delights us by its appearance,
refreshes us by its odour, or gratifies us
by its taste.
And though we fade and decay, we
shall not perish ; we shall not become ex
tinct. I am now speaking of the mortal
and corruptible Body ; for that never dying
principle the Soul has no tendency to
decay and dissolution; but the corrupti
ble Body does not perish. It will pass
through various changes, and at length,
by the mighty power of Him who is able
even to subdue all things unto himself, be
fashioned into a fit habitation for the
glorified Spirit. But then this depends
on the manner in which we have spent
the present life. And happy will it be
for us, if we can say with humble hope,
though probably not with the triumph
ant assurance of the Apostle, yet happy
will it be for us, if we can say with hum
ble hope, " I have fought a good fight;
I have finished my course; I have kept
the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the

24
Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me
at that day."
Come then, my fellow Travellers, who
have finished with me far the greatest
part of our earthl\ Journey, come, and
let us meditate on our past experience,
on our present trials and comforts, and
on our future prospects. We have seen
enough of the World to convince us of
its vanity ; not indeed as God made it,
for he made it very good, ami it is still a
fair and glorious World. Man also, by
his labour and ingenuity, has contributed
to beautify and adorn it in a natural
view ; but in a moral view he has made
it full of vanity. We have seen enough
of the dealings of God towards Indi
viduals and especially towards Nations,
to convince us that " verily He is a God
that judgeth in the earth, and that verily
there is a reward for the righteous." We
have enjoyed a sufficiency of the bless
ings of life to render us thankful to our
heavenly Benefactor, and we have felt
a sufficiency of its trials to make us as-

25
pire after that rest which remaineth for
the people of God. Let us with faith
and hope say unto the God of our child
hood and youth,
" Cast me not off when years decline,
When hoary hairs arise ;
And round me let thy glory shine,
Whene'er thy servant dies."
And whether we live through the Au
tumn and enter on the Winter of life
or not, I pray God that we may all meet
in that World where there is no blighting
Spring and no dreary Winter, but where
all is the pleasing verdure and sunshine
of Summer, or the delightful fruits of
Autumn. Amen.

PRINTED BY JAMES BEI.CHER AND SON, BIRMINGHAM.

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