A NOBLE Christian brother, esteemed very highly by the author, suggested the publication of these sermons. It is to be hoped that his judgment was not warped by friendship. With many doubts and misgivings, they are sent forth on a mission of mercy. It is very difficult to write sermons that will please Christians and the world. In two respects the writer has attempted to cater to the taste of the world. First. He has endeavored to clothe the divine, serious, lifegiving truths, in popular dress, for in this age, truth is not so well received unless presented in an interesting style. Secondly. The public taste has been consulted, in making these sermons brief, except in a few instances where the writer has been in deep water, beyond the breakers, and it has required some time for him to paddle to the shore. With the public there is great aversion to lengthy discourses on any subject, and particularly it is the case when religious subjects are under discussion. The writer has endeavored to write with the gravity that belongs to these sacred subjects; with a humorous style, and has been desirous to gratify the public taste, without sacrificing too much to it. He has discussed a variety of religious subjects, without a hope of shedding light on them; as they have already been presented in an able, eloquent and lucid manner by the most learned men; yet every writer is distinguished by his peculiar manner of expression of thought That there are many imperfections in the following pages, the author is apprised and requests that they be kindly overlooked; he claims that the sermons are an epitome of scriptural truths presented in scriptural language, and the reader may rely on their truthfulness. Car loads of paper are emptied into the mill every week, and tens of thousands of books are ground out, and a patient public submits to the infliction without a groan. A great majority of these books are on irreligious subjects, and very many of them consist of highly colored fiction, at war with nature and with self at war. And as this is designated a Christian land, religious books should keep pace with the light literature of the day. If it is important to amuse and tickle the fancy that time may glide unnoticed by, and as a majority of writers are piping to the millions who are dancing down to eternal death, it surely is important to administer an antidote if it has to be sugar-coated and given in homeopathic doses, for men should not sacrifice their interest for the fleeting pleasures of time. The wisest men that have ever lived have had their minds warped by education; and the author probably has been influenced in this way in the selection of the subjects he has discussed, yet as they are all Bible subjects and all men are deeply interested in them, the writer is desirous that they receive a careful and prayerful reading. The principal object in publishing this book, is that the author may have something that will be doing good in our Master's vineyard after he is deposited in the narrow house, appointed for all the living. Although he has been a member of the church for more than fifty years he feels that he has done but little good for mankind, and that the praise may be given to the author's Master, who provided the scheme of re demption and deserves all the praise and the adoration of all men both now and forever. A few persons would have valued this book more, if the author had been more prolix, and with more copious arguments and illustrations drawn from the word of inspiration; but I have sought to please a much more numerons class who demand brevity and a popular style. The lading of this little vessel is not intended expressly for the professor, and much less for his teacher; this is the author's apology for the quality of the food with which the larder is stored, and the style of dispensing it. As suggested, the tendency of the world at present is to seek only small and easily digested articles of the literary disk, and as the most precious jewels are found in the conglomerate or in the soil, so sometimes the most precious thoughts are found in little books and clothed in few words. Hoping that some poor sinner may find herein the pearl of great price, has been a cause of pushing this petty barque from the pebbled shore, and launching it amid the breakers to grapple with its fellows in the pursuit of fame, wealth and honor in a cold and friendless world. The cargo is humbly consigned to the Father of mercies and the God of love, praying earnestly that his only Son may take charge of the little craft and give it a prosperous voyage. BY THE AUTHOR. Reminiscences and Sermons. CHAPTER I. REMINISCENCES OF THE REFORMATION OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. HERE is only one church entitled to be called "the church," and that was not "enlarged somewhat," but began on the day of Pentecost in the year of our Lord 34, in the city of Jerusalem. The church is founded on the gospel, or good news, namely, "the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus." 1 Cor. xv: 3. And then, too, the church had to begin at Jerusalem. Micah iv: 2, "The law shall go forth from Jerusalem." And our Lord said, "Repentance and remission of sins. should be preached in his name, among all nations beginning at Jerusalem." Luke xxiv: 47. "On this rock I will build my church." Matt. xvi: 18. When or where else could the church have had a beginning? Not at Sinai; that law was given alone to the Jews. John the Baptist gave no law to the Gentiles. And the apostles were forbidden |