History and Repository of Pulpit Eloquence

occurs.

It is scarcely necessary to say that sermons of a denominational or controversial character, have not been introduced. There is little or nothing in the entire work, it is believed, to which exception may be taken by any class of evangelical Christians.

It will be seen that about thirty of the discourses are from foreign languages. No effort has been spared to secure for these productions, their fairest possible expression in English. A large number of them appear now, for the first time, in their new garb. Where advantage has been taken of any available source for the rendering of a sermon, it has not been done without careful attention to the point of accuracy and reliability. The author is not at liberty to give full particulars as to the sources of the respective translations. Among the translators are Professors A. C. Kendrick, George R. Bliss, Edwards A. Park, A. N. Arnold, and H. I. Ripley, President Barnas Sears, and the Revs. R. Turnbull, D.D., D. W. Poor, and William Roberts. It may farther be stated, that the rendering of Gregory Nazianzen is by the first of these gentlemen, in the order of their names; that of Melancthon, Schleiermacher, and Harms, by the second; that of Basil, by the fourth; and that of Chrysostom, by the fifth. The translation of Bossuet and Flecheir, is adopted, by permission, from the valuable work of Rev. Dr. Turnbull, on the "Pulpit Orators of France and Switzerland." That of Vinet is from the same pen. That of John Elias, is by the Rev. Mr. Roberts. Other particulars need not be given.

It only remains that mention be made of the very timely assistance rendered, in the prosecution of the work, by several Christian ministers and theological teachers. Especial obligations are due to Professor Edwards A. Park, of Andover, whose generosity and friendly aid will ever be held in grateful remembrance: also to the Rev. William R. Williams, D.D., and Professor H. B. Smith, D.D., of New York city; Rev. W. B. Sprague, D.D., of Albany; Rev. Dr. D. P. Kidder, of Newark; Drs. Joseph Belcher and J. Newton Brown, of Philadelphia; and Rev. R. Irvine, of Canada West, who have kindly permitted free access to their valuable libraries, and aided by their counsel and extensive information.

Boeken