Attempt > Volume 3

THE ATTEMPT. 41
call it. Listen to two old men or women as they wend their way home from church
over the long country road, and you will hear warm discussions and profound re¬
marks on the numerous heads of the sermon—whoever may have slept during its de¬
livery, they have not.
In sermons as in books distinct taste must show itself; and, if in one church
or sect we cannot hear what we feel to be for our good, are we to blame if we seek
for it in another? " Have you heard so and so preach 1" we ask a friend, " Oh !
no, we never wander," is the reply, in tones strangely self-righteous. Because we
happen to belong to one branch in particular of the wide-spreading tree of Chris¬
tianity, are we to taste of the fruit of no other 1 But happily such questions are
less needed in our day than formerly. Most persons, at least in theory, now admit
our right to draw what we will from all sources, be they High, Low or Broad
Church, Established, Free or Independent. We can all remember for ourselves
men, whose very names seem linked in our minds with ideas of liberality and
freedom of thought, and who are throwing open the Church for the receiving of new
truths, or rather of new lights cast upon the old truth, which is in itself ever
the same.
Wlien we can fancy with some sure foundation that all the churches we pass
on our journies are filled with pastors who are spreading abroad truth in all its
asjjects, then truly will those many unpretending buildings, with their grey walls
and peaceful churchyards, become pleasant resting-places for the eyes of weary
travellers. " des Eaux."
raise.
"The praise of man is not the test of our praise wort Wess ; nor is their censure ;
but either should set us upon testmg ourselves."
As a shower in spring to the young and tender blade, so is timely and well-
directed praise to the first efforts of a young aspirant. When seed has been committed
to the soil, it appears in due time, modestly raising its head above ground, as if ner¬
vously anxious about its reception. Should it be greeted by cruel winds and biting
frosts, its efforts will quickly be relaxed, and the young shoot will gradually droop
and die. If, on the contrary, it be encouraged by the genial and cheering rays of the
sun, it will gradually expand, stand erect, and come to maturity.