The Descent of the Branch into the Waters of Sorrow, to Bring up the Election of Grace Being the Substance of a Sermon, Preached by J. Church, of the Surrey Tabernacle

"The Descent of the Branch into the Waters of Sorrow, to Bring up the Election of Grace" by J. Church is a sermon capturing the essence of early 19th-century Christian thought. The sermon uses the story of a lost axe head in a river as a symbol of humanity's spiritual struggles and need for salvation. It draws a parallel between the lost axe head and the human struggle with sin. The preacher's message centers on the idea that, just as the axe head was miraculously recovered, people can find redemption and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. The sermon encourages listeners to recognize their need for divine intervention and emphasizes the role of gospel ministry in leading people toward spiritual recovery and understanding God's grace.