23 MARCH 1889, Page 23

Fifteen Hundred Facts and Similes. By F. F. B. Tinting,

B.A. (Hodder and Stoughton.)—The work of supplying preachers with ready-made thought goes briskly on. The other day we had "a thousand new illustrations for pulpit, platform, and class," and now another writer or compiler caps it with " fifteen hundred facts and similes for sermons and addresses." Well, it is idle to com- plain, and doubtless there is a good side to this state of things. Doubtless, to use an agricultural metaphor, a good soil is the best ; but if the soil is poor, the manure is better than nothing. And there is a famous Greek couplet, giros air Tardpicrros n.r.A., the substance of which is that the best thing is to think wisely for yourself, and the next to accept the wise thoughts of others. Mr. Tinling is a laborious collector whose efforts will doubtless be appreciated.