The second, I believe, is more important and more critical to the usability of this software. The user should be able to synchronize the different versions of scripture you have open. In other words, if you open The NRSV and NIV (both unlocked for The New Interpreter's Bible) you should be able to click a button that will make the passages scroll together. They should also scroll with the text of the commentary.

Apart from those minor dislikes, I think Abingdon has some very solid software and some very unique programs available for preaching and worship.

For more information on any of the Abingdon Software packages contact them through their web page: www.abingdon.org or call Abingdon Technical Support at 615-749-6777. Software can also be ordered through Cokesbury at 1-800-672-1789.

AGES SOFTWARE

C. H. SPURGEON: THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE PULPIT (This version includes Calvin's Commentaries and The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia): While published by Ages Software (Formerly Sage Software, creators of the Master Christian Library) this program uses the Logos Library engine (which I will review later in this article). This CD contains 63 volumes of Spurgeon's sermons. That's more than 3,421 sermons. The sermons are contained in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit and the Park Street Pulpit. Also included in special packages or as an add on or unlock later are the 22 volumes of Calvin's Commentaries and the five-volume 1915 edition of The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

If you are a fan of Spurgeon and Calvin you will find this collection very inspiring. It is easy to get lost in just the mass quantities of information and sermons. But it is a sermon work gold mine. If you have Logos, you will easily find your way around. Searches for topics or passages lead to an almost mind boggling amount of sermon material.

For more information contact Ages Software on the internet at www.ageslibrary.com. Write AGES Software, Inc. P.O. Box 1926, Albany, Or, 97321. Or phone 1-800-297-4307.

AUTOILLUSTRATOR

This is a very powerful illustration database. It's not as visually appealing as Parson's Bible Illustrator but it has everything you need. Plus, it is easy to edit the stories, add your own and mark the dates they have been used, along with Scriptural references. The 21,000 plus illustrations in the basic package are cross-referenced over 100,000 times to 244 different topics. The illustrations come from sources such as Preaching, Parables, Etc., The Pastor's Story File, Leadership, Christianity Today, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, In Other Words, and The National & International Religion Report. The sermons are fresh, insightful, filled with both solid theology and great humor. You can add your own topics and add sub-topics as well. You can even search by Scripture reference. Sometimes this can be very helpful in finding just the right illustration. Often I find the stories in the database remind me of events that took place in my life. The illustrations that come as a result of that inspiration can then be added. This is a solid program that has just been released on CD. All of the illustration databases are available and unlockable. The really good news is that they have just reduced their selling price by about a third.