THE CITY OF THE LOST, AND OTHER SHORT ALLEGORICAL SERMONS. BY WALTER A. GRAY, M.A. (п.) VICAR OF ARKSEY;-AND B. KERR PEARSE, M.A. (4.) RECTOR OF ASCOT HEATH. *Ατινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα.—Gal. iv. 24. "What if earth Be but the shadow of heaven, and things therein E Fourth Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Oxford and London: JAMES PARKER AND CO. 100. w. 461. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. THE Sermons added to this edition, were intended to have appeared last year in the form of a second series. An arrangement however was entered into, just before going to Press, with the Editor of a Church magazine for their previous publication in its pages. The Authors now think it better to reprint these, together with a fourth edition of those first issued, in a collected and cheaper form. But the favour with which these anonymous Sermons have been received, removes the reason which induced the Authors to withhold their names from the former editions. Advent, 1875. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. T is hoped that the following Sermons, though, probably, open in many respects to adverse criticism, may yet be found a not unwelcome innovation on the somewhat stereotyped form in which sermons are generally cast. Religious appeals to the head and the heart are frequent and vigorous; but the imagination,-to which, after the example of much of our Lord's teaching, these short allegorical discourses are principally addressed, seems to be comparatively neglected. No doubt the present extravagant fashion of sensational writing is doing much mischief. But since "the abuse of a thing doth not hinder the rightful use thereof," it may be a question whether a more vivid style than that usually adopted might not, on occasion, be advantageously employed. Thus the sermon would perhaps gain in interest without forfeiting its "power for edification." Nor should it be forgotten that, while the ordinary address is apt to fade quickly from the mind, that which has succeeded in rousing the imagination seldom fails to retain a lasting hold upon the memory. The book is published anonymously, that it may be judged entirely on its own merits, and that the names of the authors may in no way bias the verdict of the reader. Easter, 1873. |