The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-20
VISIONS OF THE KING"

Just about the time that the late incum-
bent of st. Andrews Cathedral, Rev. T.
Blackburn, was bidding farewell to the
members Of his church here, whom he had
for years 20 faithfully served, there was pub
lished in London a volume Of his sermons.
These sermons have been selected by the
reverend author from amongst those
preached from the pulpit of st. Andrews.
and were, we believe, written for the occa-
sions on which they were delivered. Hence
they are as truly part of the literature of this
country (in the English language) as much
which has been published on the spot. AS
such, they demand notice at our hands,
irrespective of the esteem in which their
author was held here, which is of itself
sufficient reason for introducing this modest
volume to the attention of our readers.
1t is a fact, which there is no gainsaying,
that in these days the reading of sermons is
not a favorite occupation, even with the
most piously-disposed. Some of the reasons
for this are not far to seek but the reasons
are many, and do not all lie Oh the surface
of things, and a general inquiry into them
would involve consideration of a wide range
of social facts, and the whole history of
recent intellectual progress. Therefore, we
will eschew it. After reading "The Visions
of the King" we are prepared to say that
the fact in question is one to be regretted,
and to attribute the prevailing scepticism
on the subject to a neglect of that expert
mental way of arriving at knowledge
which should form the basis of all our phi
losophy and opinion.
This volume of sermons takes its name
from the first of the series, the others
having no special connection with it. There
are eight sermons altogether-all short,
clear in style, and full of matter. Their
chief characteristic is directness. In expo
sition there is manifest that directness of
spirit which comes from a calm, assured
faith, which shirks no difficulty, real or
apparent, that may be put before it, certain
that tina light of Divine Truth cannot but
dissipate every haze upon which it is
brought to bear. In the eXhortations by
which the truths eXpounded are applied to
the hearts of hearers, this characteristic
directness evidences a thoughtful study of
human nature, and of the influences which
the every day affairs of life bring to bear
upon the soul. The second sermon in the
volume especially displays this character
istic of the authors style. 1t is entitled
Lying Spirits,'' its text being 1st Kings,
xxi, %, and contains an able treatment
and a faithful application almost weird in
its solemnity) of What has always been adj
mitted to be a difficult passage of Scrip
ture.
We nave observed with pleasure that this
little volume of Honolulu sermons has had
a very favorable reception at the hands of
critical readers in England. Many of the
| papers devoted to church matters contain
kindly and e~ulogistic notice of it. The
Literary ChuTchnldn speaks of it thus =
"Eminently practical in tone, and reveren-
tial in the treatment of some deep subjects,
it is rendered more interesting from the
authors familiarity with heather surround
ings." Another paper says of the sermons
"mentally, they are very able, ~theologically
they are sound, officially they are very de-
| vout - whilst another is of opinion that
eff such sermons as these preached in
Honolulu Cathedral are appreciated by the
majority of the congregation there, they
must nave attained to a degree of Christian
knowledge seldom reached by an average
| congregation at home" Anyone who de-
sires to satisfy himself as to what warrant
| there is for these concentrations can pro-
| cure a copy of the DIVISIONS of the King"
| through the booksellers; and we hope there
are not a few amongst the reverend authors
late flock in Honolulu who will be disposed
| to do so. The publishers in London are w.
Skeffington & Sons.