William G. T. Shedd

"Shedd's insights into prevailing trends and their consequences, so eloquently expressed in this book of essays is deserving of repeated close scrutiny. Sufficient for us to say that his material is biblically orthodox, historically defensible, and as important to us today as when it was first penned more than 100 years ago. Truth is timeless, and while the opinions of other writers may be in vogue for a short period, in the final analysis it is the writers who enrich our lives with theological themes that outlast their more popular contemporaries. It is with delight, therefore, that we welcome the reappearance of W. G. T. Shedd's famous essays." - Cyril Barber

Dr. W. G. T. Shedd expounds almost every aspect of preaching, analyzing its nature, outlining the main features which should characterize powerful preaching and describing the approach, plan, actual construction and refinements of a sermon. This volume was used for many years as a standard textbook in several theological seminaries throughout the United States. The second part of the volume is devoted to the vital subject of Pastoral Theology. Here Shedd is equally thorough and deals with the essential character of a minister, his way of life, his duties, his work of visitation and finally, his work of catechizing his people so as to be informed as to their progress and position in relationship to the preaching. Although much shorter than the first part of the volume, this material is of immense value, and is worth the price of the book.

In twenty sermons, William G. T. Shedd discusses topics of spiritual life and Christian theology; God and His infinite knowledge of the world and of mankind, and the role of sin. A great compendium of Shedd's finest preaching, this book was published in an attempt to express the divine truth of God. Unabashed about the lecture's focus on sin and the almighty power of the Lord, the words here attempt to explain the core truths of the Bible. Christ's life and purpose, the events and circumstances surrounding His life, and the ineffable tenets which all believers must heed - these topics stand at the core of what W. G. T. Shedd wishes to express. The author is wary of attaining a balance in these writings, musing that it is all too easy for a learned man of God to slip too greatly toward severity. Another peril is omitting crucial analyses, or delving insufficiently into topics: from the outset, Shedd makes clear that he wishes to give readers his complete understanding of sin in Christian theology, and of the religious attributes of Christianity, with authenticity. As one of Massachusetts' most lauded and accomplished Biblical theologians, William Shedd spent most of his life in the study of God. Throughout his career he published essays and sermons; voracious in his pursuit of understanding, he would also branch out into English literature, attaining a professorship in that subject.