1831–1832 Evangelical Anglican Sermon Manuscript – 28pp – Preached at St Sepulchre, St Stephen’s Coleman Street (Josiah Pratt’s Church), and Hornsey – Full Autograph Sermon on John 9:4
DESCRIPTION: A substantial and well‑preserved 28‑page autograph sermon manuscript, written in a clear, slanted early‑Victorian hand, and preached across three Evangelical Anglican pulpits in 1831–1832. The sermon is titled “New Sermon on an Old Text. The Burden” and is built on John 9:4 (“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work”).
The manuscript records three preaching dates:
St Sepulchre, London – Sunday Morning, 13 Feb 1831
St Stephen’s, Coleman Street – Sunday Afternoon, 21 Aug 1831 (“Mr Pratt’s” = the rector, Josiah Pratt, leading Evangelical and CMS figure)
Hornsey – 10 June 1832 (Mr Harvey’s)
These venues place the preacher firmly within the London Evangelical / Church Missionary Society network, centred on Pratt and his associates. The sermon’s theology — duty, perseverance, “daily Christianity,” warnings against novelty‑seeking religion, and the closing appeal from Nehemiah 6:3 — is entirely characteristic of the Pratt / Simeon / Venn Evangelical tradition.
Written across 28 manuscript pages, the sermon is a complete working document in the author’s hand. The structure follows the classic Evangelical homiletic pattern: declaration of the text, three‑part doctrinal exposition, practical application, and a strong pastoral conclusion.
A rare survival of London Evangelical preaching, with direct contextual links to Josiah Pratt, one of the most influential figures in early‑19th‑century Anglican Evangelicalism.
PROVENANCE & CONTEXT:
The reference to “Mr Pratt’s” confirms the sermon was preached at St Stephen’s, Coleman Street, under Josiah Pratt (1768–1844) — Rector, CMS Secretary, and leading London Evangelical. The author was almost certainly a London‑based Evangelical Anglican preacher, likely a curate, lecturer, or occasional preacher circulating within the Pratt/CMS network. The manuscript’s theology and preaching venues match this profile precisely.
Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.
Josiah Pratt (1768 – 1844) was an English evangelical cleric of the Church of England, involved in publications and the administration of missionary work.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed
______________________________
Combined Postage
UK Based Customers:
Overseas Customers:
Shipping Information
UK Based Customers:
Overseas Customers:
Returns
UK Based Customers:
Overseas Customers: