PREFACE.

THIS Volume, the TWENTY-SIXTH of the entire work, is the First of the New Series-THE EDITOR'S SERIES. It is so called because the Editor has determined to bestow upon it special attention, and make it in every respect the best that has appeared. He is certain that no competent and impartial critic will compare this. Volume with any of the preceding ones without pronouncing a verdict for its superiority. If success is to be taken as a test of merit, this Volume has the advantage, for its circulation has been unsurpassed. Although upwards of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND VOLUMES have been sold, it will be gratifying for our friends to know that the demand is as great as ever.

As the old key-note will still rule the melodies of the HOMILIST, and no new specific description is requisite, the former preface may be again transcribed.

"First: The book has no finish. The Editor has not only not the time to give an artistic finish to his productions, but not even the design. Their incompleteness is intentional. He has drawn some marble slabs together, and hewn them roughly, but has left other hands to delineate minute features, and so polish them into beauty. He has dug up from the Biblical mine some precious ore, smelted a little, but left all the smithing to others. He has presented 'germs,' which, if sown in good soil, under a free air and an open sky, will produce fruit that may draw many famishing spirits into the vineyard of the Church.