From the PREFACE.
THE nature of the book is such as to need very little preface. I may briefly state that the sermons contained herein are but simple utterances on simple, old-fashioned subjects. They were delivered during the past winter in St. Philip's Church, Toronto, and are now placed in this more permanent form at the request of many of the members and friends of that congregation. I commit them to the press with much diffidence. I am well aware that a style which is at all effective in the pulpit will rarely retain its power when transferred to the pages of a book. And when I remember that volumes of sermons are seldom read, even in these days of reading, I can hardly hope that mine will meet with any better success. But should there be among my readers one who may find in this book some truth, or some presentation of the truth, that shall in any way tend to his or her spiritual advancement, I shall be amply repaid for all I have done. I send the book out with the simple desire that it may be useful somewhere. I cast it as bread upon the waters; it may be lost out of sight, it may take root in some spot where I least expect it -- I leave all that to God; I have done my best, the rest I have nought to do with, and whether it be His good pleasure that I should find it after many days or not, I am content. Only that it may by its quiet and unobtrusive ministry help forward the coming of the perfect Kingdom of God, by the gathering in of some soul to Christ, or by the strengthening of some weak believer, is all I ask. May the Master use it as it may seem best unto Him!
Toronto, April 19th, 1879.