knowledge, but furnish models for the improvement of style, for the arrangement and illustration of subjects, as well as for their general discussion. We once heard a preacher boast, as though it were a thing commendable, that he never read sermons; and an involuntary sigh escaped us, as the boast called to mind the sad corroboration it had in his pulpit performances. He that would excel in the arts, studies the productions of artists; he that would excel in logic, logical discussions; and he that would excel in pleading, the lawyer's plea. So he that would excel as a Christian minister should place before him, and profoundly study, the distinguished models of his profession.
We commend also this volume to private individuals and families. We deprecate that spirit, too characteristic of the age, and, alas! too prevalent in the church, that demands continually light reading; reading that requires no effort of mind, and only delights the fancy at the same time that it enervates the understanding. We hail with joy every indication of a return of the taste and spirit of the age from this temporary aberration.
An apology is perhaps due for the tardy appearance of the volume. Most of the matter was in hand
over a year and a half ago; but the whole had to pass under the scrutiny of the several editors made responsible by the General Conference; and, perhaps, in that respect, the present volume has claimed and received at their hands an unusual amount of attention. And again: application had been made to individuals in every conference of our connection, and various circumstances retarded our communica