to his Lord, appear to have been properties for which St. John was distinguished, above the other disciples. From all that we can learn of him, he was a character whom it would have been impossible not to have loved. There was in his nature that attractive union of a modest, benevolent heart, with a luminous and devout mind, with which those who know how to appreciate excellence, are always captivated. Benevolence was the predominant trait of his character; not a romantic feeling; not an effeminate principle, alive to artificial grief, but insensible to the real sufferings of men- -concerned for those who are out of its reach, but thoughtless of the claims of those who were about it. It was a meek, but manly, benevolence -defined as to its objects, and practical in its operation. It was that benevolence which makes the mind amiable; which feels, and pities when it feels; which carries itself with a winning sweetness towards every being, and finds its congenial pleasure in doing good. Of this excellent principle his heart was the seat. This divine virtue formed his soul. His nature glowed with that spirit of heavenly kindness, which views all creatures with complacence or compassion; and in the happiness of others finds its own. In all his writings this spirit is found. His Epistles, which are written from the heart, and, therefore, are the best evidences of his character, glow with such an enlightened, pure, and tender charity, that it is impossible any person, in whom the last remains of goodness are not extinguished, should not be made better by reading them. They shew him formed to love, and to be loved. In no other writings is there such a luminous benevolence. In truth, his joy, his life, his darling theme to his death, was love!-Extract from Dehon's Sermon, on the Character of St. John the Evangelist. DEAR MR. EDITOR,-I submit the foregoing extract, from Dehon, to your judgment, for insertion or exclusion, according as it may appear written in a style suited to the class amongst whom your valuable work chiefly circulates. I would, at the same time, submit to you, whether the sermons of that author, in full, might not with advantage be promoted, through the medium of the PENNY SUNDAY READER'S good word, to a rank, in public estimation, even higher than that which they have already attained: seeing that they partake largely, throughout, of the very disposition which their amiable and talented writer thus delighted to trace in the Evangelist, and to recommend to the pious notice and regard of others. With respect to those truly Christian heads of families, who have no greater or more anxious care than the direction of their children's and household's "walk in truth," and with the same holy Evangelist, "no greater joy," than the well-founded belief that they do “ so walk,” I am not acquainted with any sermons which are, on the whole, more calculated for their use: and, as far as my limited experience reaches, many families feel the want of knowing such as can be depended upon and approved, for their combined soundness of doctrine, and tendency to practical edification. At least, there are many who would be benefited by a few words of general advice on the subject as to what author will be best resorted to for this purpose. Even a brief catalogue might be serviceable, without comment. As for the two vols. of Dehon's Sermons, they breathe a spirit of pure, warm, sober piety-such piety as consists in a just acknowledgment of the respective offices of the Divine Trinity in unity, in the work of man's salvation. They not only keep sound evangelical doctrine everywhere in view, but, in parts, contain direct expositions of every leading Christian tenet, quite full enough for general lay instruction, without being dry, controversial, or prolix, and thus tending to the discouragement and weariness of reader or hearer. They are, at once, elegant to attract; plain to teach; and, though, possibly, containing no very powerful appeals to the conscience of the hardened and impenitent, (which, did they exist, would not be well-calculated for family reading,) yet they are pervaded by such "a winning sweetness," and persuasive, heartfelt approbation of " that which is good," as might be thought likely to tend to preventing, in the minds of most who hear them, any future necessity for such appeals. But, above all, Mr. Editor, when viewed in relation to a main object of the SUNDAY READER, where, (I ask for information,) where are any sermons to be found, so much tending to foster a rational attachment to the Liturgy and offices of our admirable and beloved Church? And need we be ashamed, or think it impolitic, to confess our obligations to that branch of our apostolic Church, which, as existing in America—the region of embryo States, and, we may hope, advancing civilization,-should be specially commended, in our prayers, to God's "fatherly goodness?" That, under a due sense of his goodness, she may fail not to be led into the way of truth-to hold the faith in unity of Spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life, and thus, by the guidance and governance of his "good Spirit," be the means of extending, through that vast portion of our heavenly Father's revolted world, the saving "knowledge of the Lord," is the fervent hope and humble prayer of, Your Constant Reader, September, 1836. A. Z. [We must honestly confess that we have not read Dehon's Sermons, and, therefore, cannot take upon ourselves to recommend them. We have occasionally met with extracts from them, which, like that of A. Z.'s, has given us a favorable impression of them; but we cannot make ourselves responsible for what we have not read. If it be asked why we do not read them, we must reply, that we have not the unwearied powers of a steam-engine, nor can we bind the wings of time. All we can do, therefore, in the matter, is, to insert the extract, together with A. Z.'s sensible remarks, and leave our readers to form their own judgment from both. The catalogue A. Z. speaks of, would be desirable, and we will consider that subject.-ED. P. S. R.] SARDIS. (REV. III.) SARDIS, the capital of the country of Lydia, in Asia, was of great antiquity. To the south of the plain, stood a very ancient and magnificent temple of white marble, and dedicated to the fabled mother of the Gods. Of this edifice, the two white marble columns, with a few mutilated ones scattered about them, are all that now remain; these columns are buried to nearly half their height in the soil. After experiencing various fortunes, Sardis became a great and flourishing city, in the reign of Croesus King of Lydia, famed for his great riches and hospitality. On the overthrow of this monarch by Cyrus, B. C. 545, Sardis continued to be the chief town of the Persians, in this part of Asia. St. Paul planted Christianity here, Acts, xix, 10, also, Cor. xv. 19. When the warning voice was addressed to the Angel or Bishop of the Church of Sardis, Christianity was evidently in a declining state, Rev. iii. 1, 5. This once celebrated city, and capital of the Lydian Kings, is now reduced to a wretched village called Sart, consisting of a few mud huts, occupied by Turkish herdsmen, among which, Col. Leake observed the remains of a Christian Church. "If," says the Rev. Mr.Arundell, (who visited this place in 1833), "I should be asked what impresses the mind most strongly, on beholding Sardis, I should reply, its indescribable solitude." Connect this feeling with the message in the Apocalypse, Rev. iii. 1-3, and then look around. Where are the Churches, where are the Christians of Sardis ? All dead.-H.-(Copied from Memoranda, written under Sketches of Interesting Places.) No. 101.] THE PENNY [Vol. IV. SUNDAY READER. EDITED BY THE REV. I. E. N. MOLESWORTH, RECTOR OF ST. MARTIN'S, CANTERBURY, AND ONE OF THE SIX PREACHERS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, CANTERBURY, IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY WAS FIRST EMBRACED BY A KINGS SHALL BE THY NURSING FATHERS AND THEIR QUEENS THY NURSING MOTHERS.-Isaiah xlix. 23. CANTERBURY: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY WEDNESDAY, AT THE OFFICE OF THE KENTISH OBSERVER. LONDON AGENTS-MESSRS. RIVINGTON'S, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. |