Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-01-11

, less pleasing than most OF his lectures
Whether on account of a certain INTEL
icity in the subject, or in his treatmen
of it, or for the reason that it is know
that he has not always harmonized will
those who have held the office in hi
own church, the public generally have
received it somewhat coldly.
As preacher, Mr. Murray is perhaps
the most popular man in the city. Wher
he is at home, Park street is always filleC
to overlooking, and large numbers are
content to stand during the entire ser
vice. Z, For three years he has packed
the floor and galleries, Bnd the aisles
above and below. And yet he reads his
morning sermons, and few preachers
keep so closely to their manuscript as
does he. His gestures are few and new
er striking; and in tones he is extremely
mOnOtonOus. But withal there is a fas-
cination in his words and manner to
which few persons fail to yield. Some
how he makes the nearer feel that he
means all he says, and that he himself,
feels that the message he brings is at
once true and important UnQuestion-
ably the great secret of his popularity is
in part his good sense and sympathy
with the human kind, the directness
with which he addresses his hearers. and
the graphic skill with which he frames
his words. AT the same time that his
sermons are eminently practical, they
are also, for these times, unusually doc
trinal. Moreover he breaches the old fash
| toned gospel, with plainness and bold
| ness, and earnestnCss, which is the case
with too few of the occupants of our
popular pulpits But whatever the Sc
crct of his power may be, the people
like to hear him and crowd his church.
BOOKS.
Have | room left for brief talk
about books ? In my last l referred to
one Of the publications of the Roberts
Brothers. This, as you know, is the en-
terprisins house which has given us.
''Eccc Homo, ''Esce Deus" .'Eccc
COclum, and other works of equal mer-
it without the Eccc. They have lately
issued two more books, by the author of
Eccc Homo, which are unlike that most
successful work, but which bear the
mark of the same rare intellect One
Of these is his English Lessons to En-
glish People,. 1t might take the place
design being to teach people how to put
their ideas in the most effective way up
ON paper For that purpose it is one of
the best works We have any knowledge
of. Teachers in our highest schools
might study it to advantage. And 80
might people who write for the newspa-
pers, and l know what a relief it would
be to you, dear editor, if all your CORES
pondcnts could be persuaded to buy and
carefully master it. 1t has chapters on
the diction of prose, the diction of poet
~, on faults in diction and their rene
dies. simile and metaphor, meter ar
rangcment and errors in reasoning. All
your readers. who desire to write well.
will want it. The other volume by tho
same author. Prof J. r. Scclcy. il
collection of exceedingly valuable lee
tUrcs and essays, and entitled Roman
Imperialism" Besides its three papers
on the subject indicated by the title. it
ha. others on Millions Opinions. Millions
post,,, Lmerm Euucauon in Univcrsi-
ties, Elementary Principles in Art, and
the Church as a Teacher of Morality.
One Of if most interesting essays is up
on the study of English in schools, and
for this the author goes with vigor clo-
qucucc and convincing argument.
The Roberts Brothers are the publish
crs also Of the writings Of Arthur Helps.
I wonder if your readers know how full
of wisdom and rood s~nsc these are To
appreciate them, somebody has said, is 4
sure test of culture Take for instance
this DELIGHTFUL volume which have Just
been reading, ESSAYS written I'm tho In
turyal, of Bu-jnc-- IT. most valuable
essay i on organization in daily life.
but it is crammcJ full Of practical Ni--
dom Here l. an extract at random .-
d.. Our student should begin soon tocuItl-
waite q hucncy in writing; do not mean
d flow Of words, Int habit or cAprcs-
SING his thoughts with accuracy, with
hrcyity and readiness, which can only he
acquired by practice in ~arly life. !
would have given all my old hats and
boots twice over to have had the r,adinu
of this volume when was some wears
Younger than l am now. What he saws
on Aid to Contcntmcnt." on the Tran
saction of Business. the "Fducation of
Business. and kindred TOPICS. is most
excellent