Life-pictures of "The prodigal son."

Front matter

5 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I

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LIFE-PICTURES

Preface

The following pages are designed as a solemn call from God to the erring and weary ones of earth, especially to the young and inexperienced. They contain the substance of some ten or twelve Sunday Evening Lectures, delivered originally in Lewisburg, Pa., about twenty years ago. Subsequently, in 1859, they were repeated, substantially, in Bethlehem, Pa., during my pastorate there, in German.

These Lectures, having been attended with marked success when first delivered, would long since have been written out, arranged, and sent forth in book form, had every thing gone right; but, unfortunately, some of my stray thoughts — ingrate offspring of my laboring brain — gave me the slip, and have been, I think, wandering in masquerade, out in the "wide, wide world," ever since. Hence, in writing out this little book, I have not referred, except in one or two cases, to any authorities, in prose, nor consulted even my own earlier '< notes," lest, in doing so, I should seem to have been making bargains in the absence of other parties. The Hymns and Sacred Poetry which I had occasion to introduce into these pages, I have carefully referred to their several sources, as far as it lay in my power

VI PREFACE.

to do so. Undesigned omissions and inadvertencies, I hope, will be generously overlooked.

I now send forth this unpretending little volume on its sweet errand of mercy, hoping that it may meet with a kind and cordial reception from all lovers of truth and righteousness ; and that, unwearied in its pilgrimage, it may accomplish a great and good work in the service of its Divine Lord and Master, gently and kindly leading earth's weary and way-worn wanderers back to Him who is the "bright and morning star" — the sweet, sparkling fountain of life, light, and love. " And the Spirit and the bride say — come ; and let him that heareth say — come ; and let him that is athirst, — come ; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Sweet words of welcome these to the weary ones ! Go forth, then, thou gentle little Worker in the Kingdom of God; and may the blessed Father of our Lord Jesus Christ go with thee, sustaining, aiding, and prospering thee in thy labor of love with His gracious presence and Fatherly benediction !

THE AUTHOR.

Contents

PAGE

DEDICATION 3

BONO OF THE CROSS 4