HISTORY AND REPOSITORY

OF

PULPIT ELOQUENCE,

(DECEASED DIVINES,)

CONTAINING

THE MASTERPIECES

OF

BOSSUET, BOURDALOUE, MASSILLON, FLECHIER, ISAAC BARROW, JEREMY TAYLOR,
CHALMERS, ROBERT HALL, M'LAURIN, CHRISTMAS EVANS, EDWARDS,
JOHN M. MASON, ETC., ETC.,

WITH DISCOURSES

FROM

CHRYSOSTOM, BASIL, GREGORY NAZIANZEN, AUGUSTINE, ATHANASIUS, AND OTHERS AMONG THE "FATHERS," AND FROM LUTHER, CALVIN, MELANCTHON, JOHN

SIXTY OTHER CELEBRATED SERMONS,

FROM AS MANY EMINENT DIVINES IN THE GREEK AND LATIN, ENGLISH, GERMAN, IRISII, FRENCH, SCOTTISH, AMERICAN, AND WELSH CHURCHES; A LARGE NUMBER OF WHICH HAVE NOW, FOR

THE FIRST TIME, BEEN TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH. THE WHOLE ARRANGED

IN THEIR PROPER ORDER, AND ACCOMPANIED WITH

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF PREACHING

IN EACH OF THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED, AND

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL NOTICES

OF THE SEVERAL PREACHERS AND THEIR DISCOURSES.

BY

REV. HENRY C. FISH,

AUTHOR OF PREMIUM ESSAY, "PRIMITIVE PIETY REVIVED,"

IN TWO VOLUMES.

NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY M. W. DODD,

BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, CITY HALL SQUARE.

FOR SALE BY

OVER.

OF

PULPIT ELOQUENCE,

&c., &c., &c.

THE Publisher invites to this important work the special attention of the Public, as one for which there has long existed a manifest demand. Within the knowledge of the Publisher, nothing like it exists in print, though we have ascertained, since engaged upon it, that several distinguished men in the country, each without the knowledge of the other, were contemplating the preparation of a work similar in character. They have each generously relinquished their intentions in favor of our author.

It is believed to contain a very complete history of preaching, and of the great pulpit orators; and to embody an amount of Christian eloquence, on a great variety of topics, such as was never before presented in any thing like the same compass. More than eighty different preachers are here represented; each by a brief sketch, and by his most celebrated discourse. Under the Greek and Latin pulpit, there are eight discourses; under the English, twenty-two; under the German, ten; under the French, eleven; under the Scottish, nine; under the American, sixteen; under the Irish, four; and under the Welsh, three. It will be seen that more than thirty are from foreign languages. The translations are uniformly from high sources.

The following testimonials are submitted, as indicating the opinions of those most competent to judge of the character and timeliness of this work:

COMMENDATORY OPINIONS.

PROFESSOR EDWARDS A. PARK, D.D.,

Andover Theological Seminary, Mass.

I am happy to hear of the proposal of Rev. Mr. Fish to publish a volume of the standard sermons which have been preached by ancient and modern divines. I do not know how I can more fully express my own opinion of the plan, than by saying that, some years since, I formed a purpose of publishing a volume precisely on the plan here adopted. I cheerfully yield my purpose to his, and wish him the greatest success in the enterprise. I am happy, also, in expressing my gratification with the taste and judg ment evinced in the selections.

PROFESSOR GEORGE SHEPARD, D.D.,

Bangor Theological Seminary, Me.

A work similar to the one here undertaken, has for some time been upon my mind, as a great desideratum; so much so, that I have meditated the preparation of something of the sort myself.

The work, with the plan here given, and the selections made for it, will prove, I am sure, exceedingly timely and valuable, as a history of the pulpit, and as furnishing some of the best specimens extant, of pulpit eloquence-as furnishing an opportunity for the long since dead to speak-speaking, too, as few of the living can-as bringing different periods into comparison, exhibiting the peculiar excellences of widely different preachers, exhibiting, too, the essential harmony of evangelical instruction in times and countries so remote from each other, the work can not fail to be interesting to all lovers of sound doctrine eloquently presented. Certainly it will be profitable to preachers for its homiletical impulses and suggestions, and very convenient to pastors of small means; as it will enable them to lay in choice specimens of all the best pulpit models, at a small cost. This, with the other work contemplated (of LIVING DIVINES), will make almost a competent stock of sermons for a moderate library.

PROFESSOR E. G. ROBINSON, D.D.,

Theological Seminary, Rochester, N. Y.

The work seems to me a happy conception. It will help to supply a want long felt by all who have made the art of preaching a subject of special study.

Whatever helps to familiarize preachers with the history of the pulpit, must contribute to the improvement of our modern style of preaching. As our modes of conceiving Christian truth are but the product of preceding ages and influences, and he will best understand that truth who best knows its history, so our present prevailing modes of presenting Christian truth from the pulpit, are but the result of past influences centering in the present; and he will be likely to employ those modes most successfully, who has studied most carefully the successive steps by which they have been introduced. What • we most need in our modern pulpit, is not a rigid conformity to prevailing standards of taste, but a free individuality of style, enlightened and corrected by a study of the best models among different nations, and at different periods of the Church history. A collection of such models I understand it to be Mr. Fish's design to furnish us.

PROFESSOR THOMAS H. SKINNER, D.D.,

Union Theological Seminary, New York city.

I rejoice in the expectation of seeing so soon the "History and Repository of Pulpit Eloquence." The author has, I think, been very judicious in his selections, both as to preachers and their discourses. A book of this character is a desideratum; and will be no unimportant contribution to the standard publications of the times. It will doubtless find much favor with the public, and be eminently useful.

PROFESSOR J. B. CONDIT, D.D.,

Auburn Theological Seminary, N. Y.

I have a deep conviction of the need of such a work as that here prepared on Sacred Eloquence. The Christian pulpit, in different ages and countries, will reward careful study.

The preaching of this age has its own excellences, being essentially, and, to some extent, favorably affected by our character, position, and institutions. But we ought to be familiar with the modes of exhibiting religious truth which distinguished the good and great of other times.

There is special advantage in combining examples with description. I highly approve this feature of the plan, which brings within the reach of all, some of the best specimens. I regard the selection of sermons, so far as submitted to me, eminently judicious. Ministers of the Gospel, and candidates for the sacred office, will be thankful for this help to improvement in the work of preaching.

REV. J. MCCLINTOCK, D.D.,

Editor of "Methodist Quarterly Review."

I am greatly pleased with the plan of this work, and with its general execution; and doubt not that it will be both acceptable and useful to the religious public, both clergy and laity.

PRESIDENT M. B. ANDERSON, LL.D.,
Rochester University, N. Y.

I take pleasure in saying that the work will meet, in my opinion, a very manifest demand of the Christian public. It seems, also, specially adapted to benefit students for the Gospel ministry, in setting before them a body of masterpieces of Sacred Eloquence, worthy of their most careful study.

PROFESSOR ALEXANDER T. MCGILL, D.D.,

Princeton Theological Seminary, N. J.

After a hasty glance at the plan of this work, and the list of the selections, I am free to express my gratification that it is ready for the press.

However much we must encourage individuality, in the form of homiletic composition, we can not dispense with good models; and the young preacher, especially, should not decline the guidance they offer, until the treasures of a mature mind, and the experience of his own power, come to govern his exercises in the pulpit.

The interesting compilation here made from all ages of renown in the Christian ministry, and from almost all the men who have exerted great influence on the style of the pulpit, will have the advantage, also, of impressing on a careful student whatever is of essential and unchangeable excellence in the art of preaching, as distinguished from what is accidental and artificial, imposed by special circumstances, in any particular country, denomination, or age. I know of nothing yet extant, which can so conveniently and completely furnish this advantage by way of example, as the work here prepared. I hope its publication will be favored with abundant success.

PROFESSOR JOHN LUDLOW, D.D.,

Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, N. J.

I heartily approve of the plan of the Rev. Mr. Fish in his publication, and trust that his effort to do good service to the cause of truth and the Church, will be eminently successful.

PROFESSOR SAMUEL H. TURNER, D.D.,

General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, New York city.

I very cordially recommend the effort of the Rev. Mr. Fish to make known to the public the character of the Christian pulpit in the various ages and localities of the Church. Such a work is a desideratum, and if well executed, as there is the strongest reason to believe that it will be, must be a most acceptable offering to religious readers.

PROFESSOR H. J. RIPLEY, D.D.,

Newton Theological Seminary, Mass.

The selection of authors is a good one, and the variety of subjects treated, as well as the manner of treatment and expression, are such as will meet the diversities of genius, and taste, and religious feeling among those whom the work is particularly designed to benefit.

REV. W. B. SPRAGUE, D.D.,
Albany, N. Y.

I can not doubt that this work will meet an important demand of the Church, and especially the ministry, while it forms a fitting monument in honor of the brightest lights of past generations.

J. H. RAYMOND, LL.D.,

Late Professor in Rochester University.

Such a casket, containing only the acknowledged gems of Christian eloquence, will be an invaluable treasure to every man of taste. To teachers of sacred oratory it will have a special value, as a magazine of the noblest illustrations of their instructions, while their pupils will find in it, in a form the most convenient for consultation, the very models by which they most need and desire to be influenced in forming their own pulpit style. Within the limits of the most moderate means, and a narrow compass, they will have access to advantages, for which hitherto they have been obliged to seek over the range of several literatures, and to enjoy but imperfectly at great expense.

REV. WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, D.D.,

New York.

The subscriber has examined the list of Mr. Fish's selections from distinguished preachers, and believes that they will furnish a work of much interest and value to Christians generally, and more especially to ministers of the Gospel.

PRESIDENT ELIPHALET NOTT, LL.D.,

Union College, New York.

I concur with the foregoing certificate given by Dr. Williams, in favor of the work referred to therein.

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, LL.D.,

President of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J.

I heartily concur in the foregoing recommendations. To bring the strong thoughts of strong men in Sacred Rhetoric before the mind of this active age, must, with the Divine blessing, greatly promote the best of causes.

PRESIDENT HOWARD MALCOM, D.D.,
University at Lewisburg, Pa.

To those who can not consult libraries, it is eminently valuable, in furnishing them, within narrow limits, a selection of the most precious productions of the most eminent divines.

PROFESSOR GEORGE W. EATON, D.D.,

Madison University, Hamilton, N. Y.

I have carefully looked over the list of eminent divines, from whose sermons selections are made; and the obvious advantages of such a collection, put forth in a form which will bring it within the reach of every minister, are so great that it is really a matter of surprise that the enterprise has not long ago been undertaken. Here are brought together, in an accessible and convenient form, the choicest productions of the most gifted and sanctified minds that have illustrated the history of living Christianity, in all ages and in all Christian nations. Here is a body of sound theology, all glowing with the fires of a living piety, and enriched with the spiritual experiences of Heaven-taught men, who habitually walked and communed with GOD, such as can nowhere else be found out of the volume of inspiration.

The work will undoubtedly be regarded as indispensable to every minister's library, and be sought after by the Christian community generally.

A Few Early Notices from the Press are Subjoined. "Nothing like this book is in existence, and the demand for it is great. It is a noble enterprise, and we are glad that Mr. Dodd has undertaken it."-Central Christ. Herald. The purpose of this massive work will commend itself to clergymen, and to all admirers of the highest style of eloquence. It aims to present the characteristics of pulpit oratory, in all ages of the Christian church, by furnishing specimens from the most celebrated and influential men of each period. The idea has been carried out with wonderful completeness. Such a body of homiletic literature, embracing so great a variety and so instructive indications, has never been brought together before."N. Y. Evangelist.

"These volumes supply a desideratum which has long been felt. In them we have placed before us the great orators of all times and all countries, with their peculiarities; and rich specimens of their learned, and eloquent, and popular discourses." Christian Chronicle.

"It is a work of no less literary than religious interest; and the more acceptable, because it brings together, and makes accessible to scholars, the rich treasures scattered through a vast collection of works, the possession of which could only be acquired at great expense."-Journal of Commerce.