Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

demand nothing for their adoption and belief besides an humble and contrite heart."

Bunyan, in his Holy War, says, that Mr. Prejudice fell down and broke his leg: "I wish," adds the honest and (Mr. Southey himself does not refuse him the attribute) the matchless allegorist"he had broken his neck." Cordially joining in this devout wish, and apologizing for the undesigned length and freedom of this desultory address, allow me, with every sentiment of regard and esteem, to subscribe myself,

My dear Sir,

Your much obliged and humble

Friend and Servant,

WM. JAY.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS Advertisement is not in the nature of an apology. If the Work be good it needs none, if bad it deserves none. But it is to intimate the reasons of the Author's engaging so soon again in a similar Publication with the former. They were, the peculiar acceptance "The Morning Exercises for the Closet" have met with; the many testimonies of their usefulness he has received; and the various applications addressed to him by Christians and Ministers, (the names of some of whom it would seem vain were he to mention,) exciting him to send forth a companion to them for the Evening. He is fully aware that "the importunity of friends," so frequently urged by writers for their appearing before the Public, is a justification perhaps never sufficient, and not always very true— Yet it is certain, that, but for this provocative, the following reflections had never seen the light.

The Author hopes, however, that this second series of three hundred and sixty-five Exercises to aid the retired Christian "at evening-tide to meditate," will be no less approved and useful than the preceding number. He has not paid less attention in the selection and execution of the subjects—but that attention has been paid amidst the numerous engagements of an extensive charge, and through the greatest period of the Work also, under the anguish and anxieties of the most trying domestic affliction. He has no doubt but in seven hundred and thirty Exercises of this kind, the same thought and illustration sometimes, and perhaps nearly in the same words, may occur. But they occur in new positions and connexions; and the prevention was almost impossible. Many of his readers will perceive marks of that haste which was also inevitable; and they who are accustomed to composition themselves,

will know how hard it is to write on any interesting and fertile topic, under the restraints of a great and prescribed brevity; and how unfriendly to ornament is perpetual effort at condensation. "If I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired: but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto."

Percy Place, Bath, December 10th, 1831.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »