Plain practical sermons

Dedication

TO THE STUDENTS OP SETON HALL SEMINARY, TO THE PRIESTS IN THE MINISTRY WHO HAVE ISSUED FROM THAT SHRINE

THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.

Passaic, New Jersey, 1892.

Preface To The First Edition

A book of good, instructive sermons is useful to both layman and priest. To the former it will be an ever-ready guide and teacher in the spiritual life, upon which so much depends — the eternal happiness of his immortal soul. He can take it up at any time, in the leisure hours of the evening, when resting from the day's hard labor and fatigue, or of a Sunday afternoon, when perchance he will read it aloud before all the members of the family, or when convalescing from a long and severe sickness, and he will always derive from its perusal instruction and edification that will be of incalculable advantage to his soul.

To the priest a book of short, clear, logical and practical sermons, such as this written by the Rev. Father Sheppard, will always be useful and pleasant reading. On occasions it may even suggest to him for his own sermons, important points that might not have occurred to him, or that he would not have seen so clearly and distinctly, as they have been developed by Father Sheppard. There is, consequently, good reason for believing that the little work will do some good in the world, and that the time the reverend Author spent in preparing it for publication, has been very usefully employed.

* W. M. WIGGER,

Bishop of Newark.

RT. REV. MGR. JOHN A. SHEPPARD,V. G.

My dear Monsignor,

Allow me to thank you for the advance sheets of the new edition of your book of sermons. Very cordially I recommend it to the Rev. Clergy. Practical sermons are of great value as aids in the careful preparation for preaching the word of God. I trust that this new edition of your excellent sermons may have a wide circulation.

Very sincerely yours in Christ,

* JOHN J. O'CONNOR,

Bishop of Newark.

Bishops' House,

South Orange, N.J., Jan. 1st, 1904.

Preface To The New Edition

The first edition of these Sermons has long since been exhausted and the book has been practically out of print for a number of years. The many demands from various sources for a second edition, have induced the Author to republish the work from a new set of plates. It is a matter of consolation to know that it has been an aid to the reverend Clergy in the preaching of God's word, and we hope that this new edition, in a somewhat improved dress, may still further assist them in the arduous work of the pulpit.

THE AUTHOR.

St. Michael's Rectory,

Jersey City, New Jersey,