OR, ARE YOU READY TO SERVE CHRIST? 497th Thousand. 18mo, cloth, 6d. ; sewed, 3d.; or, 2s. 6d. per dozen, post-free. (A Specimen Copy will be sent free to the Clergy on application.) OR, NOW IS THE TIME TO SERVE CHRIST. 10th Thous. 18mo, 18. A COURSE OF PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S TABLE. Common Edition. 403rd Thous. 32mo, cloth, 18.; roan, 28. ; mor. 38. Red Rubric Edition. 32mo, cloth, 28.; roan, 3s.; mor. 48. to 218. 4. THE LORD'S SUPPER EXPLAINED. 66th Thous. 18mo, cloth, 1s.; Cheap Edition, paper, 6d. Also a Tract on this Subject, Id.; or 25 for 1s. 4d., post free. 13th Thous 18mo, cloth, 1s.; Cheap Edition, paper, 6d. Also a Tract on this Subject, 1d.; or 25 for 18. 4d. post-free. OR, WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 10th Thous. Feap. 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d. ; roan, 4s. 6d. ; mor. 7s. Just published, Second Edition, Revised, fcap. 8vo, cloth, 2a., By Dr ELIZABETH BLACKWELL. "Wise and useful."-Literary Churchman. Just published, 16mo, cloth, price 1s., or, PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS for INVALIDS. By ELLICE HOPKINS, Author of Work among the Lost,' "It would be difficult to find a more suitable present for an invalid. Like every production from the pen of this gifted writer this little book is attractive, persuasive, and thoroughly practical. No sufferer can read it without desiring in some way to alleviate the suffering of NEW AND FORTHCOMING BOOKS, PUBLISHED BY JAMES NISBET AND CO. Will be ready early in Januáry, small crown 8vo, 28., ADDRESSES TO MY DISTRICT VISITORS. A Series of Short Addresses to District Visitors at the Monthly Meetings, with a Preface by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Rochester. By FRANCIS PIGOU, D.D., Vicar of Halifax, Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the Queen. Just published, New Edition, small 4to, cloth elegant, 128., THE BOOK OF JOB. With Illustrations by Sir John Gilbert. Exquisitely painted by Evans and bound by Burn. "In its pretty binding. this must be a very acceptable gift-book of the season; and the picturesque and animated designs of Sir John Gilbert render it both attractive and impressive."-Times. LAST POEMS OF THE LATE FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. UNDER HIS SHADOW. With a Preface by her Sister. Royal 32mo, ls. 6d., cloth extra, gilt edges. THE WHITE FIELDS OF FRANCE: An Account of Mr M'All's Mission to the Working Men of Paris. By the Rev. HORATIUS BONAR, D.D., Author of Hymns of Faith and Hope,' &c., &c. Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d., cloth. "We have read it with deep interest, and think it admirably fitted to diffuse authentic and stimulating information on the subject of the remarkable Paris Mission."-Dumfries and Galloway Standard. Crown 8vo, 58., cloth, STORIES OF THE CATHEDRAL CITIES OF ENGLAND. By Emma Marshall, Author of Matthew Frost,' 'Stellafont Abbey,' &c., &c. With Illustrations. 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Applications for Grants to facilitate the introduction of Hymns Ancient and Modern into Parishes in Advent, to be addressed to the Rev. W. PULLING, Eastnor Rectory, Ledbury. A Catalogue, containing Specimen-Pages and full particulars of the various Editions, can be obtained of the Publishers, post-free. WM. CLOWES and SONS, 13 Charing-cross, London, S, W. HE PSALTER and CANTICLES, pointed and set H. W. BAKER, Bart., and WILLIAM HENRY MONK, Professor of Vocal Music in King's College, London. The Organ and Choir Edition, 78. 6d. and 8s. 6d., and the People's Edition, 2s., 28. 6d., and 38., now ready. Specimens of the Publishers. London: WM. CLOWES and SONS, 13 Charing-cross, S.W. READING AND SPEAKING FROM A The answer to the question, whether a sermon is a good one or not, will depend not only upon the merits of the preacher who delivered it, but also upon the point of view from which that particular species of oratory is regarded. There must be some objective standard of excellence whereby we may rightly estimate the preacher's office. Some persons are content if they listen to simple fluency, especially if now and then the discourse is embellished by, what has been called, a pyrotechnic display. "What an ending" is the delightful exclamation of the hearer, after the gorgeous star-shower with which the preacher "winds up." Another class of persons will take the posture of the critic. The sermon is to them an essay, and they measure its goodness by the fact that some thesis is laid down, well argued, and, perhaps, some imaginary objector overthrown. Another, and an opposite class, esteems the clergyman's efforts in proportion to the loudness of his voice, or the violence of his gestures. A clergyman was once asked by a friend to preach to a village congregation in his absence. Before undertaking the duty, the preacher in question was desirous of knowing what were the qualities a sermon should possess to be suitable to that particular audience. And the reply was, "Only two, it should be loud, and long." Now these, and other modes of estimating a sermon, have all some element of truth in them. A sermon should be well delivered; eloquent, if possible; logical and coherent-not what Dean Howson has styled "molluscous," |