Charles Spurgeon’s wife, Susannah, claimed that he could not have delivered a more suitable discourse for his own funeral sermon than the one he gave for the funeral of a Mr. William Olney in 1890.  It was Susannah who distributed the message she called “His Own Funeral Sermon” in hopes that others would still be blessed by the teaching of her since-deceased husband.

By his sermon Spurgeon would urge us to continue to serve all our lives.  He urges us to prepare for those who will come after us, but also to serve those of our own generation–the “part that is rising,” the “part that is shining,” and the “part that is setting.”  Of the part that is setting he wrote:

“Some are like the sun going down in the west; they will be gone soon. Serve them, dear brethren. You that are in health and vigour, comfort them, strengthen them, and help them all you can. Be a joy to that dear old man, who has been spared to you even beyond the allotted threescore years and ten, and praise God for the grace that has upheld him through his long pilgrimage. Look on his grey hairs as a crown of glory; make his descent to the grave as easy as you can. He once was as young as you are; he once had the vigour that you have. Console him, cheer him, give him the respect that is due to his many years. Do not let him feel that you consider him an old fogey who lingers, superfluous, on the stage; but learn from his experience, imitate his perseverance, and ask God to be with you in your old age, as he is with him.”