Sermons by the late Rev. Charles Watt, ..11.A. (William Blackwood
and Sons.)—Early death is always more or less sad and touching. Particularly so when the icy hand is laid upon the young rich in promise, of high aspiration, and with evident power of realizing their own early dreams and the expectations of others. Such a one seems to have been the author of the little volume of sermons before us, —a student so distinguished as to kindle interest and enthusiasm in such teachers as the late Professor Ferrier and Principal Tulloch, and to be recognized as a leading spirit among his fellow-students at St. Andrew's, a friend so noble and pure that one whose intercourse with him was unceasing could say, that with all his large and liberal sympathy with all kinds of enjoyment, he never discovered a spot in his thought or speech ; and a preacher, to judge from this volume, of won- derfully earnest, liberal, and comprehensive thoughtfulness. These sermons, although they bear strong marks of the philosophy of Ferrier and the theology of Tulloch, are yet full of an original power and fresh- ness quite the author's own. There is even a charm in the union of a philosophic tendency of thought with deep spiritual insight and a faith whose wing has never been broken, and of such a union we have here remarkable evidence. A background of luminous early faith was sufficient to cast a light upon all the many intellectual and spiritual influences which crossed the author's mind. In these days, it would be difficult to estimate his character, while it is sad to have to deplore the loss of such a mind to the University to which he belonged, and to the Church which he had just begun to serve.
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