OR, EARTHLY THOUGHTS ON HEAVENLY SUBJECTS. Suggested by the Collects appointed to be used on Sundays and Holy Days throughout the Christian Year. FIRST SERIES. From Advent Sunday to Septuagesima Sunday. LONDON: JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. PREFACE. "GOSSIP" may appear a somewhat flippant title for the exchange of serious thoughts on serious subjects, but it has been adopted for two reasons. First, on account of the unconventional and slightly secular tone of the little discourses; and, secondly, because of the epistolary form in which they are delivered. The tone has been chosen in the hope that it may prove the echo of a "lost chord" in hearts still unattuned to "the melodies of the everlasting chime." The form is moulded after the pattern of a woman who, deprived of her best earthly counsellor and friend, seeks to span the gulf of loss and absence with a Bridge of Spiritual Communion, upon which she may often cross to the "City of love and light and song," and there meet in spirit the absent beloved one. The blocks with which she first begins to build are the feelings of human affection, which the wise Master-Builder chisels into shape by pain and joy, until they become meet for His own Temple. The aim of the "GOSSIP" is twofold: to mingle a muchloved portion of the Church of England Services with the current of everyday life; and to represent an earthly friendship in such a way as to show how comparatively lukewarm is the love frequently offered to God. Thus earthly and heavenly thoughts are made to act and react upon each other, and the tiny seed of good in the former, is made to germinate in the soil of the latter, in order that it may bear fruit to the honour and glory of the Husbandman, who is the Sower of all good seed in the world. Much has already been written on the Collects, theological, explanatory, and practical, but in the present little volume the intention has not reached higher than to extract from each Collect an ordinary earthly thought, and lift it heavenward. Much also has been written on the " expulsive power" of strong affection; but in the following letters there is an attempt to infuse a heavenly attraction into human love. We live in a world where love and tears dwell very near each other, and it was in a meeting between them that this "GOSSIP" was first suggested. If it should serve to help any of God's loving but tearful children, or to soothe "the pain of finite hearts that yearn," or to increase the joy of such as are already singing and making melody to God, the Author's aim will be accomplished, and all praise shall be to Him |