Laurence Sterne was an Anglicanclergyman. In that position he delivered many sermons. Early in his career, he decided to publish his sermons. At first, only two were published. Sterne later parodied sermon writing in his novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman along with adding semi-serious sermons directly into the text. Throughout his career, Sterne continued to preach and collect his own sermons.
The Works of Laurence Sterne of 1851, containing his sermons
There are 45 recorded sermons, 3 of which are extensions of a previously-discussed topic.[1] Two editions of his sermons were published during his life, and these works outsold all his other works and were the source for much of his fame.[2] These editions were published under Sterne's pseudonym, "Mr. Yorick".[3]
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Notable Sermonsedit
Case of Hezekiah and the Messengersedit
On 25 March 1764, Sterne delivered a sermon in Paris that was important to Anglo-French relations.[4] The sermon was first printed in Sermons of Mr Yorick Vol. III (1766) with edits and changes to various parts of the text, but was mis-attributed as having been delivered in 1763.[4] This sermon was not notable for its content per se, but for its being given on the opening of the English embassy in Paris at the end of the Seven Years' War.[4]
The opening of the sermon, a summation of 2 Kings 20:13-17, surprised and shocked many guests, because the passage was viewed as an insult to the embassy's hosts, Lord and Lady Hertford.[5] However, Lord Hertford reacted kindly and thanked Sterne for the sermon.[5] Laurence later rewrote passages of the sermon.[6]
The sermon was written in order to appeal to an audience of mixed religious beliefs.[6] Those like David Hume and Diderot were in attendance, and Sterne had joked that the sermon would convert the French from "deism to Shandeism".[6] Regardless, the basis of the sermon was to promote the idea that humans are basically good.[6]
According to the 1851 collection of sermons,[1] the complete existing sermons are:
"Inquiry after Happiness"
"The House of Feasting and the House of Mourning considered"
"Philanthropy Recommended"
"Self-Knowledge"
"Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath"
"Pharisee and Publican in the Temple"
"Vindication of Human Nature"
"Time and Chance"
"The Character of Herod"
"The Shortness and Troubles of Life"
"Evil-Speaking"
"Joseph's History considered; - Forgiveness of Injuries"
"Duty of setting Bounds to our Desires"
"Self-Examination"
"Job's Expostulation with his wife"
"The Character of Shimei"
"Case of Hezekiah and the Messengers"
"The Levite and his Concubine"
"Felix's Behavior towards Paul"
"The Prodigal Son"
"National Mercies considered"
"The History of Jacob considered"
"Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"
"Pride"
"Humility"
"Advantages of Christianity to the world"
"The Abuses of Conscience considered"
"Temporal advantages of Religion"
"Our Conversation in Heaven"
"Description of the World"
"St. Peter's Character"
"Thirtieth of January"
- the above continued
"Trust in God"
- the above continued
"Sanctity of the Apostles"
"Penances"
"On Enthusiasm"
"Eternal Advantages of Religion"
"Asa. - A Thanksgiving Sermon"
"Follow Peace"
"Search the Scriptures"
- the above continued
"The Ways of Providence justified unto Man"
"The Ingratitude of Israel"
Compositionedit
Each of the sermons begins with a scripture quotation that deals with the theme of the sermon.
Receptionedit
Thomas Gray wrote: "Have you read his 'Sermons,' with his own comic figure, from a painting by Reynolds, at the head of them? They are in the style I think most proper for the pulpit, and show a strong imagination and a sensible heart; but you see him often tottering on the verge of laughter, and ready to throw his periwig in the face of the audience." 22 June 1760[2]
Hamilton Harlan W. "Sterne's Sermon in Paris and Its Background" Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 128, No. 4 (Dec., 1984), pp. 316–325
External linksedit
Laurence Sterne's Sermons Available as Digital Books
March 15, 2024
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Laurence Sterne was an Anglican clergyman In that position he delivered many sermons Early in his career he decided to publish his sermons At first only two were published Sterne later parodied sermon writing in his novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy Gentleman along with adding semi serious sermons directly into the text Throughout his career Sterne continued to preach and collect his own sermons The Works of Laurence Sterne of 1851 containing his sermonsThere are 45 recorded sermons 3 of which are extensions of a previously discussed topic 1 Two editions of his sermons were published during his life and these works outsold all his other works and were the source for much of his fame 2 These editions were published under Sterne s pseudonym Mr Yorick 3 Contents 1 Background 2 Notable Sermons 2 1 Case of Hezekiah and the Messengers 3 Sermons 4 Composition 5 Reception 6 References 7 External linksBackground editThis section is empty You can help by adding to it July 2010 Notable Sermons editCase of Hezekiah and the Messengers edit On 25 March 1764 Sterne delivered a sermon in Paris that was important to Anglo French relations 4 The sermon was first printed in Sermons of Mr Yorick Vol III 1766 with edits and changes to various parts of the text but was mis attributed as having been delivered in 1763 4 This sermon was not notable for its content per se but for its being given on the opening of the English embassy in Paris at the end of the Seven Years War 4 The opening of the sermon a summation of 2 Kings 20 13 17 surprised and shocked many guests because the passage was viewed as an insult to the embassy s hosts Lord and Lady Hertford 5 However Lord Hertford reacted kindly and thanked Sterne for the sermon 5 Laurence later rewrote passages of the sermon 6 The sermon was written in order to appeal to an audience of mixed religious beliefs 6 Those like David Hume and Diderot were in attendance and Sterne had joked that the sermon would convert the French from deism to Shandeism 6 Regardless the basis of the sermon was to promote the idea that humans are basically good 6 Sermons edit nbsp The Sermon from Tristram ShandyAccording to the 1851 collection of sermons 1 the complete existing sermons are Inquiry after Happiness The House of Feasting and the House of Mourning considered Philanthropy Recommended Self Knowledge Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Pharisee and Publican in the Temple Vindication of Human Nature Time and Chance The Character of Herod The Shortness and Troubles of Life Evil Speaking Joseph s History considered Forgiveness of Injuries Duty of setting Bounds to our Desires Self Examination Job s Expostulation with his wife The Character of Shimei Case of Hezekiah and the Messengers The Levite and his Concubine Felix s Behavior towards Paul The Prodigal Son National Mercies considered The History of Jacob considered Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Pride Humility Advantages of Christianity to the world The Abuses of Conscience considered Temporal advantages of Religion Our Conversation in Heaven Description of the World St Peter s Character Thirtieth of January the above continued Trust in God the above continued Sanctity of the Apostles Penances On Enthusiasm Eternal Advantages of Religion Asa A Thanksgiving Sermon Follow Peace Search the Scriptures the above continued The Ways of Providence justified unto Man The Ingratitude of Israel Composition editEach of the sermons begins with a scripture quotation that deals with the theme of the sermon Reception editThomas Gray wrote Have you read his Sermons with his own comic figure from a painting by Reynolds at the head of them They are in the style I think most proper for the pulpit and show a strong imagination and a sensible heart but you see him often tottering on the verge of laughter and ready to throw his periwig in the face of the audience 22 June 1760 2 William Makepeace Thackeray claimed that Sterne as a writer of comedy and sermons was more than rival of the Dean of St Patrick s referring to Jonathan Swift 7 References edit a b Sterne Laurence The Works of Laurence Sterne Henry G Bohn London 1851 a b Thackeray W M Sterne and Goldsmith Roundabout Papers American News Co 1885 p 524 Thackeray p 525 a b c Hamilton p 316 a b Hamilton p 322 a b c d Hamilton p 323 Thackeray pp 524 525 Hamilton Harlan W Sterne s Sermon in Paris and Its Background Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society Vol 128 No 4 Dec 1984 pp 316 325External links editText of The Case of Hezekiah and the Messengers sermon Laurence Sterne s Sermons Available as Digital Books Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sermons of Laurence Sterne amp oldid 1148981970, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
