Plain Sermons for Plain People.
Scarce
Sowden, Hannah. Plain Sermons for Plain People. The Second Edition. London: Printed for J. Johnson…, 1794.
12mo.; ink initials on the title page; all edges rough; plain blue wrappers; small ink stain to upper panel. In a specially made cloth slipcase.
Second edition of this collection of 26 religious discourses and moral essays—not, strictly speaking, sermons delivered from a pulpit—substantially enlarged from the first edition of 1792. Topics begin with “On Faith,” conclude with “The Divine Government of Human Affairs,” and the deadliness of sins and holiest of habits along the way, with several sermons devoted to the role of religion in society. Not surprisingly, Sowden shows religion helping to preserve the social order, in such sermons as “Wisdom preferable to Riches,” “Happiness independent on [sic] Wealth,” “The Advantages of an humble Station pointed out,” “On respect due from Servants to Masters,” “Fidelity and Obedience to Masters the Duty of Servants,” and “On Diligence.”
Hannah Sowden, a barely traceable but clearly educated 18th century British woman, dedicated this work to another woman: Her Serene Highness the Hereditary Princess of Brunswick, in thanks for her help in the publication of her “humble efforts to promote the cause of religion and virtue” (dedication). She writes that her subjects are “chiefly moral, the language plain, and the discourses short. They are intended to recommend the pure and undefiled religion of the heart; and to influence the reader to discharge the duties of his station” (A5). She advocates the “advancement of religion, among a class of people who greatly need instruction” (A4), and who, perhaps, are denied this benefit by their masters. But her motives are, at best, unclear: “Had they no superior motive,” she writes, “self-interest would be sufficient to inform them, how much they must be gainers by the virtuous principles of their servants, their tradesmen, and their tenants” [A6]. The titles of her sermons, which promote happiness with the status quo among 18th century society’s lower orders, bear this out.
Truly scarce: we locate only two copies in institutional hands worldwide.
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