This volume investigates the rhetorical strategies, theological underpinnings, and historical reception of the sermons attributed to Laurence Sterne's fictional persona, Mr. Yorick. Lansing V. Hammond provides a rigorous examination of Sterne's homiletic output, situating these texts within the broader context of 18th-century Anglican preaching. By analyzing the intersection of Sterne's creative writing and his ecclesiastical duties, the author demonstrates how the 'Yorick' persona serves as a bridge between the pulpit and the novelistic form.

This work is regarded as a foundational academic resource for scholars focusing on the intersection of 18th-century religious discourse and the development of the English novel. The text provides a dense, specialized analysis that remains essential for understanding the intellectual environment that shaped Sterne's literary career.