Sermons

Preface

The sermons this volume contains were not written with a view to publication ; on the contrary, it was an expressed desire of my husband that they should not be published unless it became a dire necessity ; and such it now is. I give them to the public just as they were left in manuscript form, without any changes such as he might and doubtless would have made had they been prepared by his own hands for the press. The sermons have been carefully and kindly selected by wise heads and loving hearts. I would say just here that it was impossible to publish several sermons called for, inasmuch as they were simply made out in skeleton form and filled up extemporaneously.

I may be pardoned if, through this public medium, I thank our beloved Bishops and ministers of various Conferences for the many kind and encouraging words spoken in behalf of my book, during the months of unremitting toil I gave to the work preparatory to its completion. What an impetus words of cheer and kindness give us as we journey through life !

Those who have listened to the writer of these sermons will, in reading, miss the tender, gentle voice, the magnetic eye, the graceful gestures, and the wonderful spell of intense admiration and sympathy felt by all who heard him ; but I feel that although the brain that conceived them and the hands that penned them have been stilled in death for long years, they will meet with a warm welcome and a tender greeting from many who loved him.

J. Alice Neely.

t>eflication.

TO THE

BISHOPS, MINISTERS, AND FRIENDS

WHO SO GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME,

J. Alice Neely.

Introduction

It is a good sign of the times when books of sermons are sought after and read. Such appreciation does not diminish the hearing of sermons, nor their careful preparation ; but rather it increases both.

Many souls have been awakened, and more have been edified, by printed discourses setting forth divine truth in a hortatory or expository manner. If we pray for the preacher going into the pulpit with the living word upon his lips, we may also pray for him as he goes forth, in the form of book or pamphlet, into the world that needs every ray of light and every influence for good that can be thrown upon it.

The reader's expectation of receiving benefit from the following sermons might reasonably be strengthened by the reflection that God had honored the author of them, oftentimes and in many places, by making him the messenger of comfort and of salvation to others; and though the eloquent tongue be still and the graceful personage be absent, the substance of truth 'remains. Those who had heard Whitefield could never read the skeletons and reports of his sermons with any pleasure — they fell so far below the original delivery. Yet, even in that form, they did effective service — service that well repaid their publication. These sermons of the

6 Introduction.

Rev. Dr. Neely, however, have the advantage of having been written out by his own hand ; and there are many passages which those who enjoyed the happiness of knowing and hearing him can make very vivid by calling up the look, the manner, and the tone of voice in which they were spoken.

May the godly sorrow and the gracious purpose of leading a new life, the increase of faith and hope, the consecration and the comfort which so often blessed his hearers, be the portion of his readers also! H. N. McTyeire.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE.

The author of the following sermons was respectably connected. His father, Maj. ISTeely, was a gentleman of excellent standing, and his mother belonged to one of the best families in the West. He bore the name of both branches of the house — Philip Phillips Eeely. He was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, Sept. 9, 1819; converted Sept. 9, 1839; admitted on trial in the Tennessee Conference Sept. 9, 1840; and died in the city of Mobile, Alabama, Nov. 9, 1868. The ninth day of the month and the ninth month in the year seemed to be eventful periods in his history. His first appointment was Jackson Circuit, in West Tennessee. In the organization of the Memphis Conference he fell into that division, and was stationed at Holly Springs, Mississippi. In 1841 he was transferred to the, Tennessee Conference, and for two years filled the Huntsville Station. For awhile he was President of the Columbia (Tennessee) Female College, and for two years traveled as agent for Transylvania University, of Kentucky. Afterward he was stationed at the McKendree Church, Nashville, and in 1848 was transferred to the Alabama Conference. Here for twenty years he filled most of the important stations in the Conference, and traveled some of its large districts as presiding elder.

8 Biographical Note.

He was always popular, and very successful as preacher and pastor. He possessed extraordinary gifts as a pulpit orator, and attracted crowds to hear him dispense the word of life. He represented his Annual Conference in the General Conference of 1866, the last he ever attended.

In person Dr. Neely was above medium si. ., very erect, and well formed. His complexion was fair, his eyes blue, and his face indicated intelligence and great kindness. His manner was attractive, and his voice had peculiar sweetness and wonderful compass. Altogether he had but few equals as a preacher. He was sound in his doctrinal views, and was a thorough Methodist. This second volume of his sermons will be read with pleasure and profit. His last illness was brief, continuing about one week. His sufferings were severe, but his victory complete. With these words quivering on his lips, "Tell my brethren I die in the faith and in the love of my Church," he fell asleep in Jesus. Though dead he yet speaketh. J. B. McFerrin.

Nashville, June 30, 1884.