A Scotch Communion Sunday. to Which Are Added Certain Discourses from a University City. by the Author of 'the Recreations of a Country Parson'

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...is not this just the way of this disappointing world, and the condition of our being here? Not in this troublesome life can we hope the full satisfaction of these immortal natures. Not in this world, in the full measure, can there be Glory to God in the highest, nor peace and goodwill among men. Little offences and irritations will take from Christmas kindness: little worries and heavy sorrows will take from Christmas peace. We cannot pretend, even to-day, to think well of every human being we know. And not here, anymore, can the Christmas gathering of the family be complete. The faces that used to be brightest, and the voices that were cheeriest, are gone. Christ bring us in the end to that Home, where we shall see His kind face and be happy: bring us, parents and children, brothers and sisters, where all that was dear, all that was good and pleasant about this life, shall be restored to us, and all sin and sorrow shall be forgot! DISCOURSE III. III. DEBATABLE QUESTIONS 'Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.'--Prov. Xiv. 4. H HAVE no liking at all for an affected odditv in the choice of texts on which to found sermons; and you may be quite sure that I have not selected this text merely because it is out of the common way. It is quite true that the attention of an inattentive and listless congregation may be aroused, at least for a few minutes, by the announcement of a singular text; and then the preacher has his chance of fixing the ears of such people to what may be sound and important instruction. But in preaching to a congregation so intelligent and attentive as this Town Church, St Andrews: Jan. 12, 1S73. one is not driven to any expedients partaking of the nature of clap-trap: and I...