Can you summarize J.W. Alexander's Thoughts on Preaching: Being Contributions to Homiletics and its contents?: As we have before noted, J.W. Alexander (1804-1859)'s Thoughts on Preaching: Being Contributions to Homiletics (1861, 1864) is not a volume confined just to the subject of homiletics. The whole of the book is made up of extracts from Alexander's private journal and correspondence, most of which share insights about aspects of preaching. The final section ("Miscellaneous Paragraphs") includes devotional meditations and poems that he wrote in his journal. All of these extracts were edited into one volume posthumously by his brother, Samuel Davies Alexander (1819-1894).
Four of Alexander's poems are found in the Miscellaneous Paragraphs, along with one prose paragraph on the nature of "true poetry," which, he says, should aim at religion for its highest theme.
Just one of his poems is here given, along with encouragement to the reader to seek out the other three as well ("Thy Word is Truth"; "The Scriptures"; and "Song in the Night").
Through the mantle spread on high.
Pour his radiance through the shower.
If meek patience wait a while.
While we wait the dawn sublime.
The horizon's edge to fill.
Souls that do thy word obey.
Hopeful toil by thine employ.
Charms that every wish shall fill.
This prompt doesn't seem malicious.