Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by

LANE & SCOTT,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York.

PREFACE.

FOR some years past, the subject of the following pages has rested with much weight on the mind of the writer, and now the work is submitted to the Christian public with a simple purpose to glorify God and save souls. It has been prepared in circumstances of great embarrassment, and in much bodily weakness and suffering, at distant and protracted intervals. Stil, among all these difficulties, the writer has felt a strong sense of duty to endeavour to contribute something to the cause of Christian enterprise; and it is hoped that the duties here attempted to be enforced, will be rather regarded by the reader, than the imperfect manner in which the work is done.

Ex

"Principle instructs us,-precepts guide us; but examples move us. ample is principle and precept embodied, living and in action. We see not only what is done, and what ought to be done; but what can be done, and how it is done." It has, accordingly, been thought best to exhibit the principle and duty of Christian effort by examples and incidents, gathered from responsible sources.

The writer is fully aware that the remarks on many of the subjects introduced are exceedingly meager, compared with their importance. On some of those subjects, a volume, rather than a brief chapter, might have been written. It is hoped, however, that the reader's own mind will make up these necessary omissions, and present, with all appropriate fulness, the several subjects that are here only suggested.

It is remarked by Seneca, that "the

husbandmen in Egypt never look up to heaven for rain in time of drought, but to the overflowing of the Nile." So with many when they read a book: they look more to the wit, the style, the learning of the author, than to the blessing of God on what they read." He that makes not conscience of praying over what he reads," says an admired author, "will find little sweetness or profit in his reading. Luther professeth that he profited more more in knowledge of the Scriptures in a short space of time, than by study in a longer. John, when weeping, had the sealed book opened. Men would gain much more by reading good men's works, if they would but pray more over what they read. Ah, Christians! pray before you read, and pray after you read, that all may be blessed and sanctified to you."

The writer would, therefore, earnestly solicit the reader's prayers for the Di

vine blessing upon the perusal of this little volume; and especially that grace may be afforded to enable each to reduce to practice the duties that it may suggest, that all may be enabled to live not for themselves alone, "but unto Him who hath died for us, and rose again." So prays

Dorchester, Mass., 1850.

THE AUTHOR.