OUR RELIGIOUS HUMORISTS.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.-INTRODUCTORY.

Possibility of being religious and humorous-Seasonable mirth

not prohibited by the Scriptures-Man formed for happiness-

Humour an element of buoyancy-Uses of humour numerous-

Lightens the heavy load of life-Many highly gifted and successful

ministers have employed it with success- - Example from Spurgeon

-Hood-Sydney Smith--Modern pulpit needs greater sprightliness,

variety, and force-Robert Hall--John Angel James-Our language

singularly rich in humour-Humour sometimes employed to silence

folly-rebuke impertinence-escape from difficult questions-secure

advantages, &c.-Dr. Mountain-A witty Dean and Charles II.-

Witty curate and Archbishop of York-Clever reminder-Humorous

choice of texts-Southey-Humorous rebukes of parsimony-In-

fluence of humour-Thackeray-Barrow.

CHAP. II. EARLY ENGLISH HUMORISTS.

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Our Saxon ancestors and their love of humour-Earliest

specimens Nigellus Wireker-Amusing poem-John of Salisbury

-Walter Mapes-Curious anecdote-Thomas Chaucer-Canterbury

Tales-William Langland-Piers Plowman's Vision-Religious

influence of the work-Piers Plowman's Crede-John Skelton--

Attack on Wolsey-Death-Sir Thomas More-Character of his

writings-His innocent mirth-Defence of translation and circula-

tion of the Scriptures-Amusing stories-Epigram-Sir David

Lindsay-Anecdote-Influence of his satires on the public mind-

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Specimens.

CHAP. III.-HUGH LATIMER.

His character-Humour-Elements of success as a preacher-
Sermons to the people-The King-Defence of his preaching-A
"merry toy "-Fuller's denunciations of worldliness-A bell
without a clapper- Resigns office-Imprisoned in Tower-Released