, 1877-01-14
SUNDAY READING FOR SAINTS.

|
CHICAGO, Jan. 13.-Last SundayI commendl
two or three volumes to the attention Of akrr
ties. To-day would like to perform like ser,.
ice for different class OF mankind. Durms
the last fifteen years hardly any Departmental
business has escaped period OF depression
But perhaps in no branch has the dul1ness ben
so complete and extensive, or the lull lasted q
long, as in the business Of making books out d
sermons. There has doubtless been more TIM
one reason for this. For score Of years pre.
y1ous to the period mentioned the book market
had been dclnged with volumes Of ST.
shelves OF publishers and patrons aNka
groaned under the burden. Just when the cup
Of this folly was full came the blast OF ths
| bugle calling on men to reconsider the resolu-
tions to which the Gospel OF peace had been
| leading, to beat their plowshares into swonI,
and their pruning g-hooks into sabrcs, to learn w
and to practice its precepts with all pussiua
firmness and haste. At the close Of the conte&
imitation had unsettled values, speculation WI
rife, and men involved in this whirl and h
haste to grow rich had little inclination os
leisure for pondering the wisdom or appropFa.-
ing the spiritual pabulum with which volumes ct
sermons are liable enough to be freighted. The
| interests Of this world we're sufficient to er-
gage to the utmost the time and attention d
| men, r.
But now that so many beautiful bubbles haye
| burst, SO many magnificent fortunes have shlE-
e1ed, and so many arc busy in fighting the volt
from the door, those who have leisure fnl 4
an excellent time to reflect and reconsider thet
lusions, hopes, disappointments, aud strrggeh
In making this inquest the serlnon-if desert
ing the name-Vcry naturally comes In f0r :
share Of attention. And no sooner Ii the tins
ripe for this kind OF literature to be welcomed
according to its worth than the supply l. u
gratifying to readers grown gray 70
find among the most brilliant OF those
that make up the new clusters some Of tha
bright, particular stars Of the old constelatlons
Many people, who & score OF years since found
great delight in scanning the beautiful periedt
the striking antithescs, and telling illustrations
found In the sermons Of the Rev. E. H. ChapA
D. D., will be glad of the chance to pore oFes
the pages Of another volume from MS factle I'D
magical pen. With the passing Of years ha
has lost none Of its powerI The lines be nov
traces glow with the SAND brillinnt and beaufr
full light rs of otd,-sometimcs flashing lke :
gleam OF chain-lghtning, but bearing the coloss
OF the rainbow aud the warmth Of spring dsyt 7
The rock which he smites yields its waters Il ~
are prisoncd therein. The profoundest pit:
losophy, vitalized By the firm faith and l.ge
love gained from communion with the Mastet
Of Lie, and clothed in his transparent, eha:sss
rhetoric, Is feast fit for King, balm ~
name OF the volume Is ''Lessons OF Faith ana
Life.n y"
Another md not less timely volume, FROM
not less profound thinker or less graeesn
writer, is entitled, ''The Two Great Commane-.
msoi5 s. re9 5y ols vile Dsws Dss.a D. a. ss P Pa5s
sermons which, for depth OF thought, complies
mastery OF his themes, aud beauty Of style, hafe
rarely been equalcd, and he is att Jet, though
after pause from publishing much OF quas1eI
years. But "His eye Is not dim no,
s eSpresaion aasa' sabated." with powerful nd
well-cultured mind, and most earnest pulposI1
this man has been studying the greatest s@.
most vital problems during almost four sco1s
most mature results OF his thought and eh
pcrience. i keen insight into the nature y
man and the wavs OF the world; flne senseV.
the sublime and tie beautiful in wha1f'es
realm; a happy faculty Of illustrating. anu
felcitous diction, makes the truth nc preseo1an
tinguish the temporary and feeting from ~
which abfdes through ali changes. anu thls ~ !
pursues to its Legitimate and loftiest result a!.x
With vivid imagination, aiding ana aoesleG:s e:s
thoroughly trained reasoning powers, ,1one. w. T
thought kindles and glows US It marches a1oos,
becoming more aud more clear aud cohYns.ns
in its own light and in that OF illustrations nsT
PLY chosen. 3fr. Longfel1ow, returning tou
Alma Mater, with his "Moritur1 Sa!utaua1,
ut the close of half century after bis gEaaaa1,
lion, and DR.. Dewey at the beginning ol ~
fifth score OF years sending forth u yo.nme =.
prose poems under the name aud title o. ss
mons, are events In which all true Amefass.
Eill take pleasure and pride. .eo, -: -:
Henceforth one will hardly be justine. ~
forming low view or discuuraging est!aItt asst
II the meaning and purpose Of life WITHOUT o H.,
-eading these volumes, and he will hcd tnas !:
litlicult thing to accomplish after having ga, 1G
Them. Both authors have wrestled with qouD. ~.
nave disarmed despair, and gained nooi5 o5.ne
llted ideas OF duty and destiny, having oetSh
more than conquerors through Him who nat.1
owed u.s." He must have genius Tor posstha -
Il spirit and liking for evil who would NY sIt-
10Th richer and better for reading susn fhoasn
ul, encouraging, and genial discourses as "isr
soth volumes are published By james AhH. +:
70. G47 Broadway, New York, and for saln y e !
iadley Bros, Chicago !:
The selected singers for the Moody and sanAs3
meetings. at Boston number over 20o ~