Page images
PDF
EPUB

V.

finished the Chapter entitled Death, terrific in his aspect-before the affliction under which he - had laboured was suddenly brought to an alarming crisis, and for many days his life seemed tremblingly to vibrate between both worlds. At the same time, an only child, endeared by all those qualities of heart and mind which formed the buds of future promise-just rising into companionship-securing the confidence, drawing forth the sentiments, and engaging the affections, of her parents-like an opening flower, with a worm at its root, began to droop and languish from the effects of a slowly wasting consumption. And while the father was returning from the borders of the grave, he was called, in the exercise of deepest sympathy, to accompany his beloved daughter through the valley of the shadow of death, and by his conversations and prayers to strengthen her faith, and secure her hope, in the atoning sacrifice and revealed character of Him who is "the first-born from the dead," and has the dominion of the unseen world.

Ever since the mournful hour which separated from the Author this interesting companion of

vi.

his earthly sojourn, his thoughts, awake or asleep, in company or alone, have mainly flowed in one channel. And while he desires to cherish a spirit of lowliest submission to the divine will, and to place the most unlimited confidence in the wisdom, and even the benevolence, of God, he wishes to bear along with him through life that vivid impression of invisible and eternal realities which the event has produced on his mind, as the best safeguard from the ensnaring influence of the world, as the most powerful incentive to a holy life, and the surest preparation for a peaceful, if not a triumphant death. His present situation-into which, unsought by him, he has been providentially led, as Minister of the Liverpool General Cemeteryhas brought the scenes of death daily before his eyes. In the course of a few months he has seen nearly six hundred of his fellow-creatures carried to their long home, and has sympathized with, and addressed, many thousands of mourning spectators. He has witnessed death in all its various forms, and under all possible circumstances, and is only surprised that an event so common, and so deeply interesting, should leave so transient an impression on the hearts of

[graphic]

vii.

multitudes. In this situation, and with these scenes before him, he has finished the manuscript, and prepared for its publication.

The subject is confessed by all to be one of anful interest. If men are to be awakened from that state of insensibility into which sin has thrown them; if an apprehension of danger is to be excited in their bosoms, and an earnest cry for mercy wrung from their hearts; if they are to be led in search of a refuge from the storm of divine wrath, and to a joyful acceptation of the hope that is set before them; if their ardour in pursuit of the world is to be checked, and their corroding anxiety subdued; these ends are most likely to be effected when they feel "the powers of the world to come." When our Lord taught the multitude the first principles of his spiritual kingdom, he presented the truths which he inculcated in a double blaze of light-between the ineffable glories of the one world, and the fiery billows of the other. Although surpassing meekness, and melting compassion, were the most striking features in the character of this Teacher sent from God, yet many of his discourses contain the most vivid representations of

invisible and eternal things, the most pungent appeals to the conscience, and the most awakening exhortations to flee from the wrath to come. Few religious instructors, perhaps, have succeeded to any extent, who have not often touched those master-springs of the human mind-fear and hope. While the Author has laboured to produce this effect, he trusts that all his statements will be found to bear the character of ETERNAL TRUTH. He has endeavoured to benefit persons of all ages, and of different degrees of Christian experience; but he has especially kept in view the awakening of the careless, and the moral improvement of the young. To those who are in affliction, or who are mourning the loss of friends, and to whom the world has lost much of its attraction, he hopes that his little work may be an acceptable present. He commends it to the candid perusal of the reader, and the blessing of God.

LIVERPOOL,
JANUARY, 1827.

[blocks in formation]

Death-rapid in his movements, extensive in his triumphs, and various in the instruments he employs

77

97

« PreviousContinue »