Sermons. By R. S. C. Chermside. Edited by Rev. G.
Rawlinson. (Rivingtons.)—The author of these sermons held the living of Wilton for nineteen years, and the sermons published here were, with two excep- tions, preached in the church of that parish, " to a congregation chiefly composed of artisans and labourers." We cannot pretend to say whether or no the sermons were such as these hearers would appreciate, though
we presume this point is settled by numbers of them having expressed an earnest wish for the publication of this volume. But taking the sermons as they stand, and remembering that they are not addressed to an intellectual class of readers, we think some of them are extremely good. Thoughts stand out occasionally which linger in our minds like distinct personal warnings, and though when a sermon is heard people can always flatter themselves that the preacher has gained his know- ledge of them in some private way, there is no excuse for this in the published works of a stranger. Perhaps it may be thought that a man who, like Mr. Chermside, could quote Tom Brown's School Days in the pulpit, had gained an insight into character beyond that of many ortho- dox clergymen. But are clergymen debarred from reading such books, and if they may read them, may they not profit by them ? Mr. Cherm- side did, at least, and the result is that others may profit by him.
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