Following a suggestion from Prince Albert, the Revd Dr Arthur Stanley was selected to accompany Albert Edward, Prince of Wales on his tour of the Middle East. Stanley had travelled in the Holy Land (as it was then known) in 1852-3 and published an account upon his return. He would meet the royal party at Alexandria, act as a guide on the tour and would also conduct a religious service every Sunday. After the tour, he published this volume of his sermons.