The American National Preacher

Southern District of New-York, ss.

BE it remembered, that on the 22d day of May, A, D. 1820, in the 50th year of the Independence of the United States of America, Austin Dickinson, of said District, hath deposited in (L. S.) this office the title of a Book, or Periodical Work, the right whereof he claims as Editor and Proprietor, in the words following, to wit:

"The National Preacher: or Monthly Sermons from Living Ministers; Edited by Rev. Austin Dickinson, New-York."

In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprie tors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." JAMES DILL,

Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.

PREFACE TO VOLUME II.

Or the Numbers of this Volume, from ten to fifteen thousand have been published monthly, according as the nature of the subjects and the exigencies of the times seemed to render an increased circulation desirable. Most gladly would the Editor have supplied a portion of the Volume from some others, whose early co-operation was expected. But we yield to the arrangements of Providence, and hope for the more from them hereafter. In obtaining and preparing Sermons, it has been, and will continue to be, the wish of the Editor, to bring forth all those great truths, which God is wont to bless in the conversion of souls, and the upbuilding of his holy kingdom; and to give them such degrees of prominence as they seem to occupy in the Sacred Volume. He can never be unmindful of his responsibility, in being thus permitted to deal out the bread of life to increasing thousands; or of the woes that must accumulate, if he designedly keep back any thing that might be "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, or for instruction in righteousness." It will be always desirable, however, that in this work doctrines should be urged practically, and practice doctrinally; in such language as He used, whom "the common people heard gladly."

In looking over the pages of this Volume, the self-righteous moralist will never say with truth, that his depravity has not been demonstrated: the delaying sinner can never say, he has not been shown the utter unreasonableness and danger of his procrastination: the ungrateful caviller can never say, that salvation is not freely offered; and wilfully rejected by the perishing; or that God, as a Sovereign, is not righteous and glorious as well, as merciful, in humbling the proud, and in subduing the obstinacy of some, while he leaves others to

perish in their wilful rebellion. Nor can the Christian backslider forget, that he has been summoned to repent, and do his first works, and be a reprover of the ungodly. Nor can the timid and wavering professor fail to acknowledge, that evangelical decision is demanded of him, by considerations infinitely solemn and imperious. Nor can any reader forget, without guilt inexcusable, that he has been again and again summoned to the field of Christian enterprise. But if to any one the Volume has seemed tame and spiritless, let him be entreated not to throw it aside, without examining once more, whether the fault may not be found in his own head or heart.

The recollection, that two of the Contributors to this Volume have already gone to their Judge, may very properly excite others to do quickly, and with their might, whatsoever they intend; and may admonish all who read, as well as those who write, to be acting with constant reference to the same Judgment. That multitudes may on that day be found to have profited from these admonitions of the dying and the dead, is the humble prayer of the

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