DERBY: Printed and Published by THOMAS RICHARDSON, FRIAR-GATE; AND FOR HURST, CHANCE, AND CO., LONDON. 1830. PREFACE. THE sole design of this little volume, is to urge the young to yield themselves to God. It interferes not with the minor distinctions that divide the followers of the Saviour; but inculcates that heartfelt Religion, whose importance they all unite in acknowledging. The Author of the book has no expectation of its being applauded for elegance of language, or the - beauties of imagination. He has not written seeking human applause as his reward; for what is human applause? the applause of a world whose duration is a span; of a world that will soon vanish away like smoke; of a world whose very existence may be next to forgotten by the soul, in the distant and interminable scenes of eternity. The minister of the gospel meets with the best commendation, not when the discourse he may have delivered from the pulpit or the press is much admired, much applauded, but when the sinner becomes dissatisfied with himself and his pursuits; when the prodigal says, "I will arise and go to my father;" when the penitent weeps in secret over the crimes that have been brought to his review. Such applause the writer covets, and for such he does not hesitate to pray. He freely confesses, that it is his desire to do something for pro |
