The gospel fountain or, the anxious youth made happy

Front matter

ssz*

UNITEDSTATESOF AMEKICaT

THE

Preface

The following attempt of the author to furnish familiar instructions to the young, on the Doctrines of Grace, was undertaken at the request of a valued friend. The mode of illustration by anecdotes was also suggested by him. The task has been a pleasing one, though performed by gas-light, and occupying many successive evenings, after the close of official duties which required his attention during the day.

His aim has been to state, prove, and illustrate, in a brief, plain, and scriptural form, some of the great doctrines of the gospel, as embodied more fully in the Standards of the Presbyterian church. In order to avoid making "the book too large," as requested by his friend, two topics have been for the most part omitted, which would otherwise have been discussed. One is repentance^ which is inculcated in the gospel, in connection with faith. The other is adoption, which is one of the benefits of effectual calling, and is especially important in its being a guaranty of the saints' perseverance.

4 PREFACE.

But as these two doctrines are not, as to their nature, matters of controversy between Calvinists and Arminians, they are merely explained incidentally and in few words, without appropriating to their discussion separate conversations.

The anecdotes have been selected from persons of all countries, complexions, and conditions in life; in order to show that depraved human nature and the effects of divine grace, are substantially alike in the whole human family — the high and low, the learned and ignorant, the refined and uncultivated.

The author's design in quoting so much sacred poetry has been to make it apparent that the favourite songs of praise employed by millions of God's people, contain the substance of those doctrines usually styled by Calvinists, the doctrines of grace; and hence that those doctrines are in harmony with the devotional feelings of the renewed heart.

The work is respectfully dedicated to the Youth of the Presbyterian Church; with the author's earnest prayer for their conversion to Christ, and their pious and efficient co-operation in doing good.