Walks of usefulness

Preface

TO THE

SECOND AMERICAN EDITION.

A GOOD and sufficient reason for giving the " Walks of Usefulness " to the American public, is found in the various lessons taught us in the picture fronting the title-page. One chief lesson, reaching the heart through the eyes, is that, by the unmeasured grace of God, manifest in the doctrines and death of the Messiah, every believer is Christ's, and hence that he must now, constrained by the love of God, be momentarily useful. To furnish hints adapted to aid a Christian in doing good, "wherever he may be, whatever he may be doing, in each successive moment of his life upon earth, is the design of the following book. Of one thing we feel certain ; those who are active in sending the book forth have an expectation that it will be

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successful in giving the aid mentioned, and that flowing from its pages, through the direction of divine Providence, and the power of the divine Spirit, will be felt an influence greatly increasing the zeal, faith and humilitv of professed Christians. In an eflbrt to introduce a book well adapted to stimulate the reader to do a useful work in each individual moment of his life, whilst he always acknowledges his dependence upon divine power for a disposition to labor and for success, there are many persons who deeply sympathize, — persons who have received such discipline from the hands of the supremely Good, as to be greatly and mostly anxious to have treasures in the unseen world. By such persons the re-perusal of the book is certain ; and their recommendation of it, it is anticipated, will be accompanied with prayers that the instructions of its pages will become controlling over the minds of the readers, leading them to a new dedication of themselves to the service of Christ.

In the hands of the young, who have lately been promoted to the exalted position of loving the light of truth and the yoke of Christ, it is desired that, in addition to other influences, the book may lead to the formation of correct religious habits. The

SECOND AMERICAN EDITION. 5

value of Christlike habits of piety may have received only an inconsiderable portion of the attention of the modern church. "When attention shall be given to them, in connection with an effort on the part of the church to develop, strengthen and direct, to a degree of completeness as yet unattained, the powers of usefulness brought within its pale by the accession of new members, then the value of correct religious habits will be as highly esteemed as their efficiency is seen to be farreaching, constant and cumulative. If a habit of momentary usefulness, connected with the belief that Grod can be worshipped by our gifts and services, poor and imperfect at the best, becomes fixed in those now young in the church, "to grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength," influencing their elder brethren, and descending as a priceless legacy to those who may come after them, an end will be achieved, through the riches of heavenly goodness, over which the spirits of the just made perfect may rejoice. The following portrait of Walks of Usefulness, it is devoutly prayed, may contribute to the adoption of such a mode of life, and thus greatly increase the piety and peace, and augment the power to do good, of the many thousands of young Christians 1^

6 PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

now receiving a life-long impression of practical godliness in the churches, whom may the Saviour teach to be strong in himself, as he taught his youngest disciple John ; and as Paul taught Timothy and Titus. M. M. D.

Boston, Mass., 1853.

PEEFACE.

The following work was begun under a strong conviction that much more might be done for the salvation of men than has yet been accomplished or perhaps attempted. If every Christian were to consider himself a missionary from God to such perishing men as he has access to, — which he certainly is, — much good might be done every day. If every nobleman, and every gentleman not engaged in business, and who knows the grace of Jesus Christ, were acting according to the example set before them in this publication, the attention of the careless poor would be much more directed to divine subjects than at present is the case.

Perhaps some may object to this method of doing good as rather a mean and degrading employment for a man of rank. To this it may be replied, that not a few men of rank frequently

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stoop to meaner practice, and to obtain an infinitely less important object. But there can be no degradation in their attending to the practice here recommended ; for it is their duty to " condescend to men of low estate," and it will finally redound to their honor ; for those " who are wise, and turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars forever and ever."

But I would not only urge the practice on those who move in higher circles, but upon all the friends of Jesus, from the prince down to the pauper in the parish work-house, and can assure them, from some experience and observation, that there is little danger of their meeting with abusive language, or any interruption from those whom they may address, if they do it with prudence and affection.

Let not females suppose that their sex exempts them from attending to this important concern. Providence presents opportunities of usefulness to them as well as to men ; and it is of importance for them also to occupy their talents till Christ shall come.

I am persuaded that many are deterred from entering this wide field of usefulness, from an apprehension that insurmountable difficulties are in

PREFACE. 9

the way, rather than from an aversion to the work. It is hoped that the examples contained in these pages will convince them that their fears are groundless.

The satisfaction of mind which a person so employed might enjoy every evening, while reflecting on the occurrences of the day, would richly compensate for all the toil and trouble ; for he who watereth others, from love to Jesus and to them, will find his own soul like a well-watered garden, or a field which the Lord hath blessed. The good man shall be satisfied from himself.

If this work commends itself to our consciences as a good work, let us covet earnestly the requisite gifts for performing it ; let us meditate much on the eternal and astonishing love of God to sinners ; on the arduous work which the Son of God accomplished for their redemption ; on the shortness of the period allotted to us for honoring God in such a way ; and on the awful and endless miseries which saved sinners escape, and the inconceivable glories to which they are raised. If these things dwell richly and powerfully in our minds, whether we move in the higher or lower circles of life, we shall feel disposed and fitted for this important service.

Though I have presented these Walks of Useful-

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ness to the public, I have to confess, with shame, that they describe in many instances, what might have been done, rather than what, in many cases, I have really done. It is my sincere desire that they may excite both the writer and the reader to greater exertions for the welfare of others, and to a more constant and ardent imitation of the bright example of the Friend of sinners, who had compassion on the ignorant, and on them that were out of the way ; who went about doing good ; and of whom it is said, " the common people heard him gladly."

KiNGLAND. J. C.

Conversation at Breakfast. — The Smith's Shop. — A Funeral. — Sheep going to the Slaughter-house. — Peace Proclaimed, . . . 145