GERMS OF ILLUSTRATION.*

Without a parable spake He "You may consecrate an anvil, or desecrate a pulpit."

When Rev. Dr. Cutler, rector of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, lay a-dying, his friends, anxious to catch some "last word," gathered around his bed and asked him some questions. The departing saint beckoned them all away, saying, "I have said my say."

A missionary was telling a negro boy of Christ's love to man, leading the lad's thoughts on through the various acts of healing and sympathy and mercy which Christ's ministry exhibited, till at last he told of the death on the cross, when the boy exclaimed: "It is exactly what I should have expected from Him."

No

Professor Maury says of the Gult Stream: "In the greatest droughts it never fails, in the greatest floods it never runs over. where else in the world does there exist so majestic a current. It is more rapid than the Amazon, more impetuous than the Mississippi, and the collected waters of these two streams would not equal the thousandth fraction of the volume of water which it displaces."

"I see two unquestionable facts: First, my mother is greatly afflicted in circumstances, body, and mind, and yet I see that she cheerfully bears up under all by the support she derives from constantly retiring to her closet and her Bible; secondly, that she has a secret spring of comfort of which I know nothing; while I who give unbounded loose to my appetites and seek pleasure by every means, seldom, or never, find it. If, however, there be any such secret in religion, why may not I attain it as well as my mother? I will immediately seek it of God.”— (Cecil's Remains, p. 6.)

When the yellow fever was ravaging the city of New York, in 1822, a large section of the city, known as the infected district, was deserted and barricaded. Though the inhabitants had fled, the cats still remained in their homes, and many of them would have starved to death had not an old colored woman, named Chloe, remained in the district and fed the cats with as much faithfulness as if they had been human beings. If this was not philanthropy, it was certainly near akin to it in spirit; and it is no wonder that a public subscription was made, and a portrait of this Florence Nightingale of the cats painted by the then most noted artist, Thomas Dunlop.

A passenger, who had been looking with great interest at the "man at the wheel" as he was directing the course of a steamboat through the windings of an intricate channel, said to him: "I suppose, sir, you are the pilot of this boat?" "Yes," replied the man at the wheel, "I have been a pilot on these waters for over thirty years." "Indeed!" continued the

not unto them.-Mark iv: 34.

inquirer; "you must, then, by this time, know
every rock and bar and shoal on the whole
coast!" "
'No, I don't; not by a long ways, said
the pilot. "You don't!" responded the passen-
ger, in great surprise; "what, then, do you
know?" "I know," answered the pilot, with
strong emphasis, "I know where the deep water is."

One cold Christmas day a poor blind man was playing on a violin and trying to earn a crust in one of the London streets; but, somehow, his tunes lacked the power to bring him any pence. There stood the blind man, cold and hungry, alone in his misery. gentlemen were passing, and stopped opposite the player, conversing a few minutes. One of them approached the player, and gently patting his back, said," Won't the people give you any

Two

oney?" "No," was the reply: "they won't open their windows; it is too cold." "Well, lend me your fiddle, and I will see if they will open for me." The speaker took the violin and played a tune, the like of which was never be fore heard and likely never to be heard again in a street. The windows opened as if by magic, and money was thrown out of them plentifully enough. The charmer, having accomplished his purpose, gathered up the money, and handing it to the blind player, said: "There, you can go home now; you have got sufficient to keep you for one day at least." It was Paganini. Is not this what Christ has done for the poor? Has not He opened hearts that otherwise would have remained forever closed?

A poor man who had just buried his wife was taking her little babe home to her relatives. The man was clad in humble attire; the crape on his hat told the story of his bereavement. The babe was sadly in want of attention, and the father could not stop its crying. The fellow-passengers on the train were evidently greatly annoyed by the child's crying: and the poor man wiped the great tears, first from the eyes of the infant and then from his own, but, despite all his efforts, it continued to cry, until an elegantly-dressed lady, whose own babe was in the arms of her nurse, went to the father and said, with motherly tenderness of tone, "Give me the child." The poor man gave into her outstretched arms his poor babe: its coarse and soiled robes rested for the first time on costly silks, its head disappeared under her shawl, and all was still. Like the Grecian daughter who, through the iron bars of the prisondoor, fed her starving father, so did this highborn lady, from her own breast, feed this hungry child of poverty; and when its hunger was satisfied she put aside her shawl, and there the little one lay on her gentle bosom, in calm, sweet sleep, until her own child required her attention.

*This page is under the editorial charge of the editor of the Book Department,

NOTICES OF BOOKS OF HOMILETIC VALUE.

BY J. STANFORD HOLME, D.D., EDITOR OF BOOK DEPARTMENT.

LIDDELL & SCOTT'S GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON.
A GREEK ENGLISH LEXICON. Compiled by
Henr, George Liddell, D.D., Dean of Christ
Church, Oxford, and Robert Scott, D.D., Dean
of Rochester, late Master of Balliol College,
Oxford. Seventh Edition, Revised and Aug-
mented throughout, with the Co-operation of
Professor Drisler, of Columbia College, New
York. Harper & Brothers. 4to, sheep, $10.

A time most inopportune, this, for the advent of a great Greek Lexicon. A distinguished alumnus of Harvard University has just pronounced, in the presence of the assembled members of a great Greek-letter society, the Greek language itself a "College Fetich," and nothing more!

The Northern Pacific Railroad, the last spike of which has just been driven, may be, in the estimate of Mr. Adams, the glory of the nineteenth century, but the Greek language is generally admitted to be the crowning glory of the human intellect throughout the ages.

And while it is not too much to say that this book, its binding, its page, its paper and its type, leads one to love at first sight, and we can easily believe that its pretty face will do much to give a favorable impression to the tyro in the study of the Greek language, we are free to say that this seventh edition, in its approach to ideal perfection, in accuracy and breadth of scholarship and exhaustive research, will be found by the advanced student worthy of the great language of which it is the key.

But what leads us most of all to admire this great work is that it is the noblest illustration of the co-operation of scholarship that the world has ever furnished.

No one man could have produced it, no single school, no age, no country; but it is the grand result of the combined scholarship of the ages and of all countries. In editions back in this very work there were found indications of prejudice and sectarian bias, if not of ignorance. These have now all disappeared, and in this last edition the honest, fearless work of true scholarship is discernible on every page.

This book is intended to cover all the eras in Greek literature, from the early epic down to the Roman age, and it will not only be found an all-sufficient help to the student of classic Greek, but it will be all that most students will want in the study of the New Testament, and generally it will be more satisfactory than any special New Testament Lexicon, inasmuch as the words are herein traced in the development of their signification from their earliest age to their New Testament and even Byzantine use. As a book of homiletic value, we have never called attention to one more worthy of regard. FRENCH AND GERMAN SOCIALISM IN MODERN TIMES By Richard I. Ely, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Economy in Johns HopHarper & kins University, Baltimore, etc. "College

But although this Lexicon first sees the light on so dark a day, in itself it will be generally acknowledged to be a really great work in Greek Lexicography, and it may yet be of some use to a class among us who may not be able wholly to divest themselves of all respect for this ancient "College Fetich,"even to such men as Lord Derby, Lord Beaconsfield and Mr. Gladstone; men, who, it will be admitted, have some practical aptitude for public affairs, but still worship this "College Fetich:"-to a Macaulay, who on one occasion was met by an acquaintance in a by-way of London, with his face thrust into a Greek book and the tears streaming down his cheeks, alas ! worshiping this "College Fetich," and he then an old man !-to a Robert Hall, who, when no longer young, in order that he might rearrange, as he tells us, the whole furniture of his mind, read the Iliad and Odyssey twice over critically and with great perseverance, went through the tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides, and other Greek writers, and then, in spite of his worship of the " Fetich," wrote the noblest sermons in the langnage on "Modern Infidelity" and the death of the Princess Charlotte:-and to a Michelet, a man of the people in some respects, of modern tastes and advanced notions, who tells us that he himself had been born like a blade of grass in the shade between the flagstones of Paris, but had been restored to color and vigor and life by southern sunshine and the warmth of another elimate" in the study of the ancient languages of Southern Europe. His knowledge of the people he traces directly to this source-"Because I was," he says, enabled "to trace it to its historic origin and see it issue from the depths of time." Whoever will confine himself to the present, the actual, will not understand them. He who is satisfied with seeing the exterior, and painting the form, will not even be able to see it. To see it accurately and translate it faithfully, he must know what it covers; there is no painting without anatomy!"

Now this great Greek-English Lexicon, perhaps more than any other book, furnishes us with the means of studying the anatomy of lan

guage.

Brothers. Price 75 cents.

This is a little book on a great subject. Socially, politically, as well as religiously, Socialism would seem about to be the engrossing subject in this country as well as in Europe. For the last fifty years it has turned Europe into a seething cauldron, and many of these elements of commotion are being rapidly transferred to this country. It must be acknowledged that neither practically nor theoretically have the ministry of this country known much about Socialism. It has been regarded by many intelligent people as a sort of a craze of some hair-brained enthusiasts, and at best but a theory of impracticable men. But, as the theories of one age, if not refuted, become the principles and give rise to the practices of succeeding ages, it is high time that ministers, and intelligent minds in all classes, carefully examine the theories of the Socialists. They are especially dangerous because they seem to rest in part on the basis of religious teachings, and on this account ministers ought to study them carefully.

This little work, with great brevity, but with remarkable clearness, gives the tenets, rise and progress of the various schools of Socialism in Europe. It will be seen that they differ widely, and that the principles of some are not easily overthrown, and that there is a probability that there are in them some truths that will largely inquence our country and the world in the future.

THEMES AND TEXTS OF RECENT LEADING SERMONS.

1. Manifestations of Character. "And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. *** Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him."-Ex. xxxiv: 30-29. C. N. Sims, D.D., Chancellor Syracuse University.

2. The Secret of Success in Religious Work. "And the three companies blew the trumpets and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal, and they cried, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!"-Judges vii. 20. A. E. Kittridge, D.D., Chicago.

3. The Use and Misuse of Power. "And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines! And he bowed himself with," etc.-Judges xvi: 30. J. M. Pullman, D.D., New York.

4. Woman's Work for Woman. "Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."—Ruth i: ̧ 16. J. D. Fulton, D.D., Brooklyn.

5. A Cure for Unsavory Meats; or, Salt for the White of an Egg. "Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?"-Job vi: 6. Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, London, England.

6. Influence of Impure Reading on the Young. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."-Hosea viii: 7. Stewart A. Walsh, D.D., New York.

7. The Irrepressible Antagonism. "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon."-Matt. vi: 24. Monsignor Capel, London, England.

8. The Poetry of Life. 'Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more cloth you, O ye of little faith?"— Matt. vi: 30. Rev. Stopford A. Brooke, London, England.

9. Harvest Home. "My Father is the Husbandman."-John xv: 1. T. De Witt Talmage, D.D., Brooklyn.

10. Paul's Theistic Argument. "The God that made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands," etc.-Acts xvii: 24–28. Joseph Parker, D.D., London, England.

11. Modern Unbelief No Cause for Alarm. "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God withcut effect?"-Rom. iii: 3. J. O. Peck, D.D., Brooklyn.

12. Sluggish Christianity. For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live," etc -Rom. xiv: 7-9. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Brooklyn.

13. Certainties in Religion. "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air."-1 Cor. ix: 26. P. S. Henson, D.D., Chicago.

14. Accepted of the Great Father. "He hath made us accepted in the beloved."-Eph. i: 6: Rev. CH. Spurgeon, London, England.

15. Home and Family. "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named."—Eph. iii: 15. Horace M. Scudder, D.D., Chicago.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES.

1. Intelligence Back of the First Material Cause. ("In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth."-Gen. i: 1.)

2. Fellowship Between Man and Angels. ("And he took butter and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat."-Gen. xviii: 8.)

3. America's Besetting Danger. ("Lest when *** thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God."-Deut. viii: 12-14.)

4 The Clever Hypocrite. "And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.”—2 Chron. XXV: 2.)

5. Finding God in Adversity. ("And when he was in affliction he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers."-2 Chron. xxxiii; 12.)

6. Godless Philosophy.

("They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course."-Ps. lxxxii: 5.)

7. The Self-Polluting Power of an Evil Life. ("The plowing of the wicked is sin." Prov. xxi: 4.)

8. The Key-Note of the Ministry. ("From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye."-Matt. iv: 17.)

9. Purity the Condition of Spiritual Illumination. ("Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."-Matt. v: 8.)

10. The Lesson of the Bertholdi Statue. ("Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."-Matt. v: 16.)

11. Christianity Responsive to the Moral In-
stincts. (" But whosoever drinketh of the
water that I shall give him shall never
thirst." -John iv: 13.)

12. The Christian's Responsibility. ("For we
are made a spectacle unto the world, and
to angels, and to men."-1 Cor. iv: 9.)
13. An Experienced Savior. ("For in that He
Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He
is able to succor them that are tempted."
Heb. ii: 18.)

14. Lessons from the Volcanoes of Java. ("And
as it were a great mountain burning with
fire was cast into the sea."-Rev. viii: 8)

THE HOMILETIC MONTHLY.

A MAGAZINE

DEVOTED TO THE PUBLICATION OF SERMONS AND OTHER MATTER OF HOMILETIC INTEREST.

VOL. VIII.

-NOVEMBER, 1883.—

-No. 2.

SONGS OF THE BIBLE.

SERMONIC.

BY A. E. KITTRIDGE, D.D., OF CHICAGO,
ILL, IN LAFAYETTE AVENUE PRESBY-
TERIAN CHURCH, BROOKLYN.

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.—

Psalm 1: 23.

I WISH to talk with you for a few moments this evening on the songs of the Bible. For this precious book is not only a theological volume, it is not only a divine storehouse of moral truth, it is not only a story of redemption, it is not only a record of God's dealings with his people, it is not only the richest volume of biography, poetry and history-but it is also a music-box. It plays many airs, but in the brief hour of our communion we can only hear a few of them.

1. And, first, notice the Song of the New Birth. Every believer has learned some of the notes in this song, for we enter the Kingdom singing this song. When we were dead in trespasses and sin, we sang only the world's songssongs of merriment and glee, songs of mirth and love. We thought they were

ened the eye. But when our eyes were opened to see the face of Jesus, and our deaf ears were unstopped to hear the music of His grace, then our joy could no longer be expressed by the songs of the world; then we began to sing a new song, the song of redeeming grace, and the old songs have since seemed very tame and superficial.

If you study the miracles of Christ, you find in every instance the first act of the healed one was to begin to praise. The leper, cleansed of his loathsome disease; the paralytic, enabled to carry his bed on the joyful return to his home; Bartimeus following his physician-each one had a song of praise for the healing Christ. And every redeemed soul, with the first birth of the new life, has a new song of praise and prayer mingled in response to forgiving love. David's experience, I think, has been the experience of every new-born child of God: "He brought me up also out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and He set my foot upon a rock and established my goings; and He hath put a new

the richest and best. We had paid song in my mouth, even praise unto large sums of money to great vocalists,

our God."

who thrilled us so that the tears moist- 2. Then, second, another song of the The first several sermons are reported in full; the remainder are given in condensed form. Every care is taken to make these reports correct; yet our readers must not forget that it would be unfair to hold a speaker responsible for what may appear in a condensation, made by another, of his

discourse.!