Notes on the Parables of Our Lord

That a work has reached a third edition in England, although one evidence of its merit, may not always be a safe or satisfactory reason for its republication in this country. But in regard to the volume herewith sent forth, the subject of which it treats is of such general interest, and the ability with which it has been prepared is so marked, and has been so universally acknowledged, that the publishers cannot hesitate to believe they are doing good service to the cause of sound theological learning in making it accessible to a large clafes of American readers, who in all probability would not otherwise be able to possess it. The parable, whilst it is amongst the earliest modes of conveying truth to ths mind, is at the same time the most effective. Never losing its vigor by age or repetition, it convinces sooner than logical argument, and strikes the imagination more readily than a living example. From the fact that the parables of our Lord form a very considerable portion of his recorded teaching, and that he was accustomed by them to enforce the highest moral precepts, to illustrate important points of doctrine, and to give prophetical intimation of future events relating to himself and his mission, it is obvious that a competent knowledge of this portion of the Gospels, while it is essential to the Christian teacher, is of the greatest value to every member of the Church. And amply will these sacred fictions repay the most constant perusal. Attractive in the highest degree, even to childhood, while as yet like Samuel the little hearer does not know the Lord, nor in tne word of the Lord yet revealed to him (1 Sam. iii. 7), they are the delight of iper manhood, and never fail to offer to the attentive reader, beauties to admire. Hsec autem docendi ratio, qu efacit ad illustratiocem antiquis seculis plurimum adliibebatur. Ut Hieroglyphica Uteris, ita Parabo(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)