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Have you read the sermons that make up the Presbyterian Pulpit? From 1902 to 1904 there were ten volumes published, which included eight sermons each. Each volume is available to read below.

George Tybout Purves, The Sinless Christ (1902)
William Rogers Richards, For Whom Christ Died (1902)
Herrick Johnson, From Love to Praise (1903)
Melancthon Woolsey Stryker, The Well By the Gate (1903)
Henry Van Dyke, Jr., The Open Door (1903)
B.B. Warfield, The Power of God Unto Salvation (1903)
J.R. Miller, Our New Edens (1903)
Theodore L. Cuyler, A Model Christian (1903)
Samuel Swain Mitchell, The Staff Method (1904)
John Sparhawk Jones, Seeing Darkly (1904)

This is how the set was advertised in early 1904. Mitchell’s volume was originally to be titled The Divine-Human Face, but was changed. The full box set was for sale at the cost of $6.00.

An advertisement for the Presbyterian Pulpit series which appeared in the May 1904 issue of The Assembly Herald. — An advertisement for the Presbyterian Pulpit series which appeared in the May 1904 issue of *The Assembly Herald*.

There is much gold to be mined in these volumes. This set is a treasure to be well-studied. Tolle lege!

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I have discovered that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber. — Blaise Pascal, Pensées 139

The Rev. Herrick Johnson (1832-1913) was a Presbyterian minister who ministered in New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois, and also served as a Professor at Auburn Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary. He was elected to serve as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PUCSA) in 1882.

His wife Catherine Hardenbergh Johnson (1835-1907) was, like her husband, a published author, whose book of poems Comfort (1888) we have available on Log College Press. It is dedicated to Christians who may be struggling along the path.

To the toilers and sufferers, on the way to the “better country,” may these words come with something of help and healing.

Today’s selection from her little book brings to mind Pascal’s famous quote above which speaks to man’s sinful condition, while Mrs. Johnson’s poem reminds the reader — who perhaps is alone while reading this, or praying for another who is isolated — that the believer is never really truly alone. There is hope and comfort even in solitude.

ALONE

Alone in the room!
Oh, darkest mystery,
Earth’s bitter history,
Reads like a doom.
Alone in the room!
Missing the loving grace,
Wanting the precious face
Lost in the gloom.
Drinking death’s bitterness;
Cries of our sore distress
Piercing the tomb.
Alone in the room!
Oh, when will night be done?
Oh, Darling, Darling, come
Back to the room.
Alone in the room?
Oh, sweetest mystery!
Earth’s hidden history,
Christ’s in the room.
Alone in the room?
Cannot His perfect grace,
His tender pitying face,
Lighten the gloom?
Oh, He’s in the room!
Death’s bitter pang is past;
Victors we are at last,
Rending the tomb.
Alone nevermore!
Morning comes soon or late;
Oh, Darling, Darling, wait
Close by the shore.

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