Sermons and addresses delivered in America

Front matter

OF fflHIcT^ OCT 20 1921

Farrar, Frederic William,

1831-1903 .

Introduction

makes the peculiar interest of England for the American visitor or of America for the visitor from England. If they were entirely alike or if they were totally different, the two countries could not be to one another what they are now.

And perhaps there is no kind of writing which more sensitively feels this double interest, of likeness and unlikeness, and more vividly displays it, than the sermon. The true sermon has always its general and special character harmoniously united. It is at once the most universal and the most personal of all forms of address. It must speak eternal truths — truths true for all men in all times — or it is too local and narrow. It must also speak directly to the men to whom it is addressed, or it becomes too vague.

Therefore, the utterances of a preacher who speaks out of an earnest, sympathetic heart to Christians of another nation which yet is of close kindred to his own, will always have a value distinct from that which belongs to all his other writings. Such a preacher has come to America this autumn, and this volume comprises the Sermons he has preached.

Dr. Farrar has been for years no stranger to Americans. But they who have long counted him their friend and teacher, and who have now enjoyed the privilege of looking in his face and listening to his voice, will treasure these words which he has spoken especially to them, and will keep them as a valued memorial of his most welcome visit. P. B.

Boston, November, 1885.

Preface

These Sermons and Addresses are published in accordance with the wishes of many who, after hearing them, expressed a desire to have them in a permanent form. As it was necessary to pass them through the press befoi'e leaving America, I fear that tliey may suffer from the lack of greater time and better opportunity to submit them to careful revision. But, if only they are received with a tenth part of the kindness which has everywhere been bestowed upon the author, I may rely on the indulgent welcome of many readers. And so I send them forth, with the earnest prayer that they may be blessed by God to the furtherance of the cause of truth and holiness.

Frederic W. Farrar.

Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1885.