SERMONS BY THE REV. SAMUEL D. WADDY, D.D. First Ser LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETOR AT THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 2, CASTLE-STREET, CITY-ROAD; FIVE-AND-TWENTY years ago I tried in vain to persuade my father to write something which might be an enduring memorial of him when God should be pleased to call him away. Failing to overcome his antipathy to writing, I secured without his knowledge a shorthand note of nearly 150 of his Sermons. I afterwards gave all the transcripts to him, and he promised to go through them with a view to publication. This he was never able to accomplish. He wrote out most of the Sermons which appear in this volume, but never really prepared them for the press. It was my intention to do this I to the best of my power, but fortunately the task was undertaken by my friend Dr. Williams. think it is impossible to speak too highly of the patient care and loving thoroughness with which Dr. Williams has done his work, and I gratefully record my own personal obligations to him. I propose to publish in another volume a Memoir of my father, and in a third I shall give some of his sessional Charges to his pupils and other Sermons. iv It will depend on the public whether I publish more than these three volumes. I say nothing of my father's history, ability, or worth. I am afraid that the intense devotion with which his children loved and admired him will unfit us all for writing his life, or pretending to analyse his character. At all events, while we are yet stunned by the blow which bereaved us ten days ago, we can do nothing but mourn. We must leave it to others, who knew him well,-and who, under God, owed him much,-to sound those praises which at present fall very sadly though gratefully on our ears. Temple, 17th Nov. 1876. S. D. WADDY. PREFACE. THE following volume is designed to form a memorial of the ministry of a beloved and honoured servant of the Lord Jesus, who, after having been laid aside for a few years from active labour, has just passed to his heavenly rest. His vigorous, instructive, and earnest preaching is remembered by many with deep interest; and it is hoped that this volume may serve vividly to recall some of these occasions of more than ordinary spiritual power, and to perpetuate impressions which were then received. It is hoped, also, that it may convey to those who did not know Dr. Waddy some idea of a ministry which, for a lengthened period, exercised a powerful influence, and contributed to form the character of many who now occupy important positions in the Church and in the world. In preparing for the pulpit, Dr. Waddy was accustomed to write the general outline and leading thoughts of his discourses, agreeably to the advice which he often gave to young Ministers: but he |