PREFACE. THE MISSION OF "THE HOMILIST" IS NOT ΤΟ SUPPLY SERMONS FOR INDOLENT OR INCOMPETENT PREACHERS, BUT STIMULUS AND TONIC FOR THE TRUE-HEARTED, HARD-WORKING, AND GENUINE TEACHER. IT DOES NOT DEAL IN THE "READY NOT AND OF STRUGGLING MADE," BUT IN THE RAW MATERIAL. IT ONLY ADMITS CONTRIBUTIONS WORD, DIS AUTHOR SERVES HIS READER BEST, NOT WHO GIVES, BUT WHO SUGGESTS THUS BRINGS OUT FROM THE READER'S OWN SOUL POWERS OF WHICH BEFORE HE WAS THE MOST THOUGHT, THOUGHTS AND UTTERLY AND THOUGHT-PRODUCING UNCONSCIOUS. Although "THE HOMILIST" has passed through six Serial forms, numbering in all forty-nine volumes, of which about ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND have been sold, another Series has been called for, and that by clergymen of all denominations, not only in this country and the colonies, but throughout Europe and America. The larger portion of the volumes that have appeared are out of print, and but few remain unsold, still the circulation continues as ever. This is the SIXTH volume of the Excelsior Series; and as the same keynote rules this as ruled the melodies of the forty-eight previous volumes, we may fairly dispense with a formal Preface, and only state that, as ever, it aims to be free from pedantic learning, rhetorical verbiage, theological polemics, and denominational narrowness. It says with Horace, "I'll play the whetstone; useless and unfit Erewyn, Upper Tulse Hill, London. DAVID THOMAS. The next volume, which appears in June, will be the FIFTIETH volume from commencement, and will, in all probability, be the last. About three-fourths of all the articles in the volumes of "THE HOMILIST have been from the commencement by the Editor, and he feels that he has done enough for one man in this direction. Although the influence of " THE HOMILIST" has in no measure decreased, nor has the ability of the Editor diminished, "Change of work is rest," and he may spend the residue of his time in a fresh field of literature. He will, in a future number, give a sketch of "THE HOMILIST" from the beginning, and indicate his work for the future. Meanwhile, he would urge those who desire to procure complete sets of "THE HOMILIST to do so as soon as possible, as the demand in all probability will be great. This series-the "EXCESIOR Series-will consist, when complete, of Seven Volumes, and it would be well if those who intend possessing it, to send their names to the Editor immediately. CONTENTS. [All the Articles in this Volume are written by the Editor, with the exception LEADING HOMILIES. God in the Aspect of a Comforter (G. Cron) In Memoriam-The Dean of Westminster (U. R. Thomas) Thirsting after Righteousness (E. T. Davies, M.A.) The Largeness and Simplicity of the Primitive Creed (J. Fraser, D.D.). PAGE 73 145 217 289 361 |