A pastor's legacy to those for whose benefit he has spent his life...

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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THOSE FOR WHOSE BENEFIT HE HAS SPENT HIS LIFE,

Preface

This book lias been prepared and published with the single purpose of doing good. Having been a pastor more than forty years, and feeling the close of my public labors to be drawing near, I felt it in some sense to be a duty, to write a few pages, that might preach to those for whose benefit and spiritual good I had spent my whole life ; after my lips were utterly silent.

There are but few books treating on the subjects herein discussed, sufficiently cheap to warrant a circulation among the masses. Large and costly books are out of the reach of the many. Nor will men in these days read any religious book long, at any one time. All men seem to be in a hurry. "Baxter's Call" and u Alleine's Alarm" are small, cheap, and sufficiently direct and pointed, but somewhat antiquated and unsuited to modern taste.

Wesley's Sermons and Letters are strong, direct and pungent. No vice is passed over unreproved, no class in society neglected. They formed the major portion of the libraries of the

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generation of Methodists that has just passed away ; but few however read them now. The great awakening and revival doctrines, such as a deep sense of sin, hearty repentance, immediate faith in Christ, and the joyful sense of pardon by the witness of the Holy Spirit, common to the last generation, I have feared would cease to be dwelt upon among our people ; they are therefore urged and made prominent in this work.

Books of modern date, like most modern preaching, are too diffuse to arouse the soul. Nathan said to David, "Thou art the man;" and the effect was instantaneous ; his conscience smote him, and he penitently confessed his sin. A more diffuse and ornate style of reproof would most likely have failed to produce the result. We live in an age when public sentiment tolerates many vices. A large class of men in community live entirely without Grod, and almost without religious opinions or sentiments. They attend no church, do not read the Bible, and keep no Sabbaths.

Thousands of youth crowd our cities, who, as soon as the day's work is finished, seek places of amusement, drinking saloons, or lounge about the corners of the streets. Many of these can truly say, no man careth for my soul. The religious youth of the times, seem to be afraid to speak to such in relation to their souls, or even

PREFACE. 5

to invite them to church to hear the word of God.

What is to be done ? The churches are kept up, and moderately attended. Each man seems to be satisfied with what he is doing for the reformation of those about him.

Yet the multitudes rush on in the broad way.

It seems to me that if earnest men would write and circulate small books on vital Godliness, in a plain sententious style, they would do good. Each has his circle, and each his manner of writing. We cannot do too much in that direction ; at least this little work is the result of my own convictions on this subject.

It is my humble contribution to forward this end.

Many years since, the author wrote a small work for the benefit of young men. Its great success indicated what could be done for the good of inexperienced persons. By its perusal many were saved from vice and brought to the Saviour, and some were led into the ministry. May the good Lord make this work as useful.

I have addressed myself to each class in

community, so that no one is neglected. Being

by nature ardent, and feeling strongly, I have

spoken in the same way, and rarely have I used

the third person. As all good men should be, I

have on the vices of the day been severe, but I 1 * '

6 PREFACE.

trust, kind. Some will think that I have been too urgent and said too much on the awakened state of the conscience which precedes genuine conversion ; but experience and observation have long since convinced me, that deep, earnest piety and usefulness can only flow from such a religious beginning.

To the critically inclined there may appear a little repetition of thought, but this, without weakening my sentences I could scarcely avoid ; for this reason likewise, are proof-texts of Scripture sometimes repeated.

Looking only to usefulness and the rewards of the future, I neither court nor fear criticism. The work has generally been written while most men have been slumbering, and while crowded with the toils of an exhaustive pastorate. Especially for those who feel but little interest in the salvation of souls, I have no doubt furnished abundant license for criticism. But as it may be my last opportunity of addressing some for whom Christ died, I have tried to be faithful to them, and have therefore disregarded the opinions of the captious fault-finder. The issue is with God, the Judge of all men. To Him and his gracious influences is the work committed, hopeful of its usefulness, prayerful for its success.

THE AUTHOR.

Contents

A PASTOR'S LEGACY TO HIS PEOPLE.

Chapter I. Page

AN APPEAL TO NEGLECTERS OF PUBLIC WORSHIP.

The Gospel is God's Means op Saying Men 11

Attendance on public worship.... 17

To the young 19

No taste 24

Hanging about shops 29

Liquor dealers are murderers 33

What is the purpose of life? 42

Shall your life be a failure? 44

To heads of families 46

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PAGE

Thoughtlessness 52

Religious heroism 57

Do you hope in false and infidel notions ? 61

God is Just 62

CHAPTER II. All Men are Called 67

Rollin and Davy 70

Drawings of the Father 71

The Holy Spirit 75

All are at first Orthodox 77

Your condition must be seen and felt 85

Christ alone saves 87

You now say, "What must I do?" 94

Do you see and feel your danger ? 95

Make God your portion 110

Confess your purpose openly 113

Repent heartily of all sin 118

Pray in your family 121

Believe in Christ 123

Act quickly 126

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PAGE

Avow your faith and change 127

Watch and pray for a higher life 132