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SERMON* 



[I have selected the following sermon of Gilbert White's out of three 

 in my possession, as a fair illustration of the general tone of his paro- 

 chial instruction, and as an example of the ordinary character of the best 

 village sermons of the period. The list, in his own hand, of the numerous 

 occasions on which it was delivered is prefixed to this and to each of his 

 other sermons ; and I find attached to a sermon of his uncle Charles 

 White, the Eector of Bradley and Swarraton, under whom he held his 

 first curacy, a similar list, partly in the handwriting of the uncle, and 

 afterwards in that of Gilbert White, who appears thus to have utilized 

 his uncle's compositions, as heir not only to his secular property, but to 

 his pastoral teaching. — T. B.] 



Selborn : Aug. 6, 1758. 

 Selborn : May 13, 1759. 

 Farringdon : Septem. 7, 1760. 

 Farringdon : July 13, 1761. 

 Chute : May 9, 1762. 

 Fy field : May 23, 1762. 

 Farringdon : July 4, 1762. 

 Farringdon : Nov. 11, 1764. 

 Faringdon : Jan. 24, 1768. 

 Faringdon, & Chawton: Dec. 3, 1769. 



Faringdon 



Jan. '26, 1772. 



Faringdon : May 1, 1774. 

 Faringdon : April 28, 1776. 

 Fyfield : May 19, 1776. 

 Faringdon : Jan. 23, 1779. 

 Faringdon : April 22, 1781. 

 Faringdon : Nov. 24, 1782. 

 Selborne : Nov. 7, 1784. 

 Selborne : Dec. 1786. 

 Selborne : Aug. 24, 1788. 

 Selborne : Aug. 15, 1790. 

 Selborne : August 19, 1792. 



Math: 25: 30. Cast the unprofitable servant into utter darkness: there 

 shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth. 



These words are the conclusion of the parable of the talents ; 

 and designed by our Saviour to stir up all Xtians to faithful- 

 ness, and zeal in the exercise of all those powers, and means, 

 whether outward or inward, natural or supernatural (for by 

 every one of these is meant the talents) which God blesses 



[For this sermon I am indebted to the kindness of the Rev. M. G. 

 W.'itkins, Rector of Barnoldbv-le-beck, Lincolnshire. — T. B.] 



