Lost forever

Front matter

Fi Net & a ae (Bog Ome o a e at Pa pee ce Om = . 3 Pe mes ‘i te o¢ ~ b» S pe “ fn oe Sofie a. B S Se ma df ~ * wea

Cee hash ES Te ee:

LOST FOREVER.

Preface

Opes

THERE are those who will say that the publication of this book indicates a lack of good taste, and even of sound judgment. Some will pity more than blame the writer for his “melancholy opinions.” Others will lose their patience, and condemn without qualification.

Such adverse criticisms are fully anticipated, and yet we cheerfully go about the work, and shall as cheerfully bear any amount of objection and odium that may be heaped upon it. We have in this task interests to subserve against which persecutions even ought not to have the smallest weight. No other objects save obedience to the profoundest sense of moral obligation, the defence of truth, the suppression of crime, and, as far as possible, an incitement to holiness, whose end is life eternal, have induced the author to enter this so-called “repulsive field of controversy,” and subject him-

6 PREFACE.

self to a rank henceforth among the “ferocious theologians” and “unmerciful doctors.”

We are free to confess, however, that no special credit is claimed for personal valor, as it requires much less courage at the present time to fling one’s ink-bottle at the devil than it would have ten years ago. Laxity respecting civil and moral obligations, and the consequent frightful increase of crime in certain forms, are silently working a marked change in public feeling in support of more rigorous policies, as distinguished from that sickly sentimentality which always results in corruption.

If correct in our interpretation of the existing states of feeling and thinking, we are but slightly anticipating a return to the general and faithful proclamation of the whole gospel from evangelical pulpits—its phases of solemn wrath as well as those of benign mercy.

Whatever may be the decision when the reader shall lay down the book, we ask that it may be taken up and examined with at least a suspended judgment, and with as little admixture of critical repugnance as the nature of the discussion will allow.

COW TENS: