as though it had been more labored, and had received a higher polish; but the author is not insensible of their defects, and is, also, aware that they would have been more acceptable to scholars, had he devoted more time in preparing them for the press. He has, however, done all he could, in the feeble state of his health, and the limited time allowed him in making them ready for publication; and he trusts that, under these circumstances, any defects which may be discovered, will be viewed with a favorable eye. In making a selection of the Discourses, which are inserted in this volume, the author has been guided with a special reference to their utility. He was desirous of presenting his friends with a book, which, while it may enlighten the understanding, will improve the heart, and elevate the affections to things above; and be the means of preparing the soul for the enjoyment of God, both here and hereafter. There is a vein of spirituality and piety, running through these Discourses, which cannot fail of making them interesting and profitable to every pious and devoted heart; while the warm and lively exhortations to the unconverted, which are interspersed through several of them, must make them beneficial to this portion of the community. The author trusts that a portion of that fire and zeal, which animated him in the delivery of some of them, and by which they became the means of the conversion of many souls, has been infused into their composition; and will still make them efficacious in the conviction and conversion of many more. Although several important and interesting subjects are discussed in the Articles and Discourses, yet the work is far from being either of a doctrinal or controversial cast. It has been the object of the author to give to it an experimental and practical character. In the discussion of the great questions which have been considered, the author has endeavored to treat them, not as a polemic, but as a Christian; and to deduce from them such experimental and practical results as might be profitable and beneficial to all classes of readers. He has, however, clearly and fully stated his views on all the doctrinal questions, which have come under consideration, and which the reader will find interspersed throughout the book. But, on the 184th page, the author has given a short summary of his religious faith; and which he believes to be the faith generally entertained by the Christian Connexion, to which he has the honor of belonging. And here the author would take the liberty of correct ing a misunderstanding. It has been stated that this summary was borrowed from an English publication; but this is a mistake. This summary was written by the author, and first published in the preface to the third volume of the Gospel Luminary, in 1830. And this is the only summary of the religious faith of the Christian Connexion which the author has seen, all the abstracts of the faith of the Connexion, which have come under his observation, having been taken from this summary; which is conclusive evidence that it meets with general approbation, among his brethren. Sensible of the numerous defects which this work contains, it is with much diffidence that the author presents this volume to the public; but he still cherishes the hope that it will be productive of good, and that it will be read, with interest, by his friends. With his best wishes, and with his most devout aspirations for their present peace and future felicity, he now submits to their consideration. these humble sheets; trusting that they will regard with a favorable eye whatever imperfections they may discover in them. New York, May 20th, 1843. A 2 S. C. CONTENTS. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded, for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they ezesan, lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead, anazesan, lived not again till the thousand years were finished. This is the first anastasei, resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first anastasei, resurrection; on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."-Rev. An Address delivered in the Christian Chapel, Fall River, Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things, On the Nature, Introduction, and Progress of Christian Per- fection, in the Heart and Life of a Believer, - "That which is born of the Spirit, is spirit."-John iii., 6. |