Sermons

Preface

AT different times during the past ten years, the author has been solicited to give to the public a volume of sermons. Hoping to gratify his friends, serve the cause of Christ, and to leave a voice whose utterances shall not die with himself, he has made a selection from his sermons, and embodied them in this volume.

A few of them were, prepared for special occasions, and written before delivery; but for the most part they have grown up in \ the hands of the author. Delivered at first from brief notes, they were afterward modified to adapt them to the occasions of their use, or improve their general character, till at last they were developed into their present state.

Three or four of them had been published before in pamphlets; but the author was desired to put them in this more enduring form. The publication of some of the others had been requested — as that on "Methodism" by the Wisconsin Conference — but

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till now it has not been found practicable to grant the request.

Each sermon had its distinct purpose and mission in its original delivery. And in their revision for the press, the author has not attempted to give them a more general application at the expense of their original specific design. This volume, then, does not aim at any thing like a systematic presentation of the great doctrines of the Christian faith, nor of the great duties of the Christian life. But it does aim to give a clear presentation and an earnest enforcement of each topic of Christian faith and life discussed.

With this practical aim constantly in view, the author may not have been careful at all points of a faultless rhetoric. This has really been the least of his concern, though he does not underestimate the value of this burnisher, nor has he spared its use. He has also been more studious to give clear and correct rather than new or novel enunciations of truth, though both the thoughts and the mode of presentation seem to him to be his own. These thoughts are not expressed with any design to evade or disarm criticism, but that the whole matter may be fully and frankly stated.

In every case the reader will, we think, give the author the credit of a rigid adherence to the subject in hand, and that its elucidation and application are

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steadily sought in every part. We think also that method and order will not be found wanting in any of the discussions. Nor can the author doubt that his choice of a free and manly diction rather than one of affected nicety or precision, will receive the earnest approval of his readers. But, while, on the one hand, he has utterly discarded pompous or pretentious diction, on the other he has held all low, mean, cant phrases — however much they might appeal to popular taste — -to be unworthy of the sacred themes of the pulpit, as they are of the place itself. But clear exposition, earnest exhortation, pathetic appeal, appropriate illustration — embodying as they do the great elements of effective preaching — are not wanting, we trust, in these discourses.

The volume, such as it is — such as it has sprung from the thought and heart of the author — such as its parts have grown to be in the lapse of years — is now sent forth upon its mission. We bespeak for it the kind consideration of the public. May the reader find in it a benediction for the intellect as well as the heart !

An apology is due to the public, and especially to the Publishers, for the delay of publication so longafter the announcement of the work, and, indeed, so long after it had been in type. The author has been so occupied and pressed with duties and cares, mainly

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official, that it was utterly impossible for him at an earlier date to complete the reading of the proofs, kindly furnished from the stereotype plates by the Publishers for this purpose.

We can but hope that these sermons may, with the blessing of God, in all coming time, continue to realize the objects sought, first in their composition and delivery, and now in their publication.

February 25, 1868.

A Thanksgiving Discourse, 430