Thoughts and apophthegms from the writings of Archbishop Whately ...

Front matter

'xmW%

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, PHILADELPHIA,

PUBLISH

I. Sceiptuee Eeyelations

CONCERNING A FUTURE STATE.

In one volume, 12mo. Price, 75 cents.

This work can hardly fail to be interesting; to the people of God, discussing, as it does, the most important of all concerns, our relations to a future stale of existence.— Pres6!/teria!i.

We can, with great confidence, recommend it as one of the greatest efforts of mind of the present generation-— Southern Baptist.

It is an able contribution to theological science, and every minister of th-e gospel, and every mau who has capacity or relish for such subjects, should read it.— Presbyterian of the West.

No book is more needed in this age of scepticism, and no mau better qualified to write it than Bishop Whately.— CArisiiua Chronicle.

We most cheerfully recommend this volume to our readers as an antidote for the errors of the day. — Christian Secretary.

II. Scripture Revelations

CONCERNING GOOD AND EVIL ANGELS.

In one volume, 12mo. Price, 63 cents.

The clear, cogent, and logical writings of the eminent Archbishop of Dublin, can never fail to secure readers. When he asks attention, he is sure to have something to say which is deserving of a hearing, and is always amply prepared to reward the attention he has excited. In the treatise before us, he puts to flight the ignorant unbelief of those who profess to discredit the existence and influences of evil spirils. Each topic is discussed with eminent clearness, and the Scripture doctrine is evolved in a manner highly satisfactory.

III. Thoughts And Apophthegms

RELIGIOUS AND MISCELLANEOUS,

FROM THE WRITINGS OF ARCHBISHOP WHATELY.

In one volume, 12mo. Price, $1.00.

There is a directness of aim and argument, and a wide compass of mind, in the Writings of Archbishop Whately, which commend tlieni to thoughtful, discriminating readers. — LutJieran Observer.

IV. Lectures On The Lives And Writings

or OUR LORD'S APOSTLES.

In one volume, 12mo. (Preparing.) Intellectual vigour, extensive erudition, strong common sense, and manly argument, commend his work to the attention of students and general readers.— CArisimn Observer.

THOUGHTS

AND

APOPHTHEGMS

FROM THE WRITINGS

AECHBISHOP WHATELY.

(I

Horace.

The perception of analogies — the exercise of that powerful abstraction which seizes the point of agreement in a number of otherwise dissimilar individuals — it is ill this that the greatest genius is shown. — Bishop Copij:ston.

PHILADELPHIA:

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON.

sin e

^5^

Introduction

'^ Lr

In presenting to the Public a collection of Thoughts and Apophthegms from the writings of Archbishop Whately, the Compiler would desire to remind the Reader, that the Author, from whose works this selection is made, is not one of those fragmentary writers who deal in insulated passages of wisdom and of wit, and resemble, as has been remarked, " Chinese painters, who represent each single object admirably, but have no perspective." His works, on the contrary, are all complete treatises, of which any short extracts can be but the mere shreds and parings ; and consequently, it is only too obvious, that as an exposition of his views, this, or any, collection of detached passages, must necessarily be somewhat imperfect. Yet these treatises, though all specimens of close and consecutive reasonings are so rich in comprehensive and suggestive maxims, in calm and lucid statements of great principles, and in the varied illustration of them by familiar examples, that the Compiler cannot but anticipate a favourable reception for a selection the design of which is to present in a small compass, and

(ix)

X mTRODUCTION.

thus render more generally accessible, some of those pregnant principles and suggestive thoughts. Indeed, the Compiler cannot but feel, that whatever apology may be required for the work, is due not to the Public, but to the Author, whose thoughts, presented in this detached form, must be more or less injuriously affected by separation from the context.

This needed apology is now respectfully offered to him, together with grateful thanks for the characteristic liberality with which permission to make a selection from his writings has been accorded. As the Author has no connection with the publication, or even knowledge of the mode in which his permission has been made use of, the Compiler is alone responsible for all beyond that permission.

It remains only to add, that the miscellaneous thoughts on a very great variety of subjects, part of which has been devoted to that most important of all subjects, the " Love of Truth in Religious Inquiry;" and the passages bearing upon it, have been selected in very earnest hope that some of them might serve, under the influence of the Divine Spirit, to implant the precious germs of that desire for truth, for its own sake, which gives singleness of eye to perceive, and singleness of purpose to pursue it.

By TmusftCf

Table Of Contents

Introduction - ^^

I.

Truth, the distinguishing characteristic of Christianity ► 13