foundation. After keeping his hearers in amazement for a time, he divulged his secret, which, in brief, is as follows: "Publish a volume of original sermons from Ohio Methodist preachers, and build with the proceeds." No sooner said than approved. Thus it will be seen, that the primary object of this work is to raise money-strange object, indeed, in this disinterested world; but we shall lose nothing (we opine) by being frank.

A few days, and a circular was issued to those brethren of the Ohio and North Ohio conferences who had been, for many years, in the traveling connection, requesting them to furnish each a sermon for the proposed volume. In the course of a few months, favorable responses were received from a sufficient number of brethren to insure an adequate supply of discourses. The project was, in due time, submitted to the conferences concerned, and it received their hearty approval. As every good undertaking in this wonderful planet of ours meets with opposition, so did this. Some said, "You will give offense to the younger members of the conferences whom you must pass by. Moreover, you may injure feelings, and excite opposition by the necessary rejection of some discourses which may be written for the volume." Others said, "The book will not sell; the sermons of our illustrious men are rarely called for. If the logic of Wesley, the eloquence of Watson, and the learning of Clarke, cannot attract the attention of our people, can we, preachers of the wilderness, hope to compose a volume that will command a rapid sale?" A third class thought that such a work as was proposed, would, if generally circulated, do more harm than good. "Our itinerant preachers," said they, "at quarterly meetings, would, after returning to their lodgings, gather around the fireside, call for the Sermons, and, reading one written by a presiding elder, or stationed preacher of their acquaintance, subject it to the ordeal of a severe criticism, and retire to rest with no enviable feelings. The spirit of censorious criticism would pass from traveling to local preachers, from local preachers to exhorters, and from exhorters to the people, much to the prejudice of Zion." But there was an objection more formidable than this: some said, "Our theology is too crude. We are not prepared to write for the instruction of those who have a literature as rich as ours."

To these objections it was replied, that, if the selection of writers were made upon the principle of seniority, neglected preachers would have no just cause of umbrage-that brethren writing for the volume would have too much sense to complain if their discourses

were not inserted-that Methodist itinerants are too pious to indulge in ungenerous criticism, and too prudent to lead their people into practices destructive to their peace; and that, in regard to the sale of the volume, we need not be discouraged by the tardiness with which the sermons of celebrated divines are sometimes circulated.

This work presents peculiar charms. 1. That of novelty. The sermons of Wesley, Watson, and Clarke are old; and, like the sun and moon, because they have been so often seen, excite no curiosity, or astonishment. 2. Variety-the spice of books as well as of life-variety not only of subject, but of style, and of spirit. 3. Appropriateness. This is a high beauty. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Every age has its own errors, and its peculiar modes of thought and feeling, and methods of argumentation and expression. Were a man to preach, in the city of Columbus, during the year 1847, such sermons as Luther and Knox preached, his energy and eloquence would be of little consequence-he would fight as one beating the air. The sermons of Tillotson, with all their force and richness, would have comparatively little effect in Ohio cabins; not merely because they are, for the most part, on such controversial subjects as are now scarce heard of, but because they abound in allusions and illustrations unappreciable by our people. Even the practical sermons of former ages are less forcible now than those of our own times; for vice has various phases, and the devil different modes of warfare. We must vary our tactics, as hell does. Though truth and man remain the same, there is a necessity for preaching new discourses. Is there not the same for printing them? These sermons are from men who, having been reared among us, and knowing the errors, the heresies, the vices, and the temptations of our times, and being acquainted with our customs, our trains of thought, and our modes of feeling, are able to select suitable themes, and elaborate them in impressive ways. 4. Nor is the present volume wanting in the charm of ability. It contains the ripe fruit of some of the best minds in the western pulpit. True, it does not present a "body of divinity," or a connected series of discourses; but it teaches, as the Bible does, irregularly. Many of its discourses are rich in doctrinal instruction. Most of them, however, are practical, coming home to the "business and bosoms" of men. Let the proud or the peevish turn to the sermon on "Self-Government;" and if he have a mind to reason, and a heart to feel, he will rise from the perusal a wiser and better man. Does the Christian desire a summary of his duty, his hope, and his

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privileges, here he may find it. If he would see a beautiful life, drawn by precept, and illustrated by example, let him read the discourse on Bishop Roberts. If he feel the rising of resentment, let him sit down to "Christian Anger." If he would trace the agency of God's Spirit in the progress of Methodism, here he may be sweetly led. But space does not allow us to speak of all the sermons of this collection, which, containing discourses doctrinal, hortatory, practical, and historical, will, we trust, be found, like holy Scripture, profitable "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." These discourses were not composed in the closet, but in the busy world. And although they contain passages of fine writing, yet, for the most part, they possess that high merit of a Christian sermon-plain truth in plain language.

This work will be valuable as a memento. It is composed by men who, having long been able ministers of the New Testament, have many seals to their ministry. They will soon pass to their reward. Many of them stand upon the very margin of the grave, daily expecting the welcome messenger who is to convey them home. The thousands of our Israel to whom they have proclaimed the unsearchable riches of Christ, desire to have some memorial of them; and what more suitable one than this? These sermons are destined not only to discourse heavenly messages, but to revive delightful associations in more than a thousand family circles. I fancy I see a stranger take up the volume; and looking over the " Contents," he cries, as his eyes sparkle, "Why, here is a sermon from I remember when he whispered consolation in the ear of my dying father, and brought unexpected relief to my sick mother, and her suffering orphans. Cost what it will, I must have this book for his sake." Another says, "I must keep it in remembrance of my spiritual father and faithful pastor." And a third exclaims, "Here is a sermon from And does he still linger upon the earth? I was afraid he would die without bequeathing to the generation to come a specimen of his sweet and heavenly discourses." Alas! there are productions in the present volume which awaken, in the mind of the writer, melancholy as well as pleasing associations. Bigelow and Christie have gone up, through much tribulation, to swell the song of the redeemed. The sketch of the one, and the sermon of the other, (it is much to be regretted,) afford but glimpses of their mental excellences; but a poor portrait may be a cherished remembrancer.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE first Preface gives the reader a complete idea of the following work. It was written by Dr. EDWARD THOMSON, President of the Ohio Wesleyan University, who had much to do in getting up the book. It is necessary to say here only, that the Agents of the Western Book Concern have purchased the copyright, and issue this edition; but no changes, of any great consequence, could be made, as the pages were all stereotyped. One change, however, has been made. The sermon on Redemption, by Rev. E. H. Field, has been replaced by another, from the same hand, on the New Birth; and some very slight corrections have been made in punctuation. In all other respects the work is exactly what it was when first issued; and now, as another edition is called for, it is sent out to do its work by the family fireside, with a fervent prayer, that the blessing of a good Providence, and the direction of the Holy Spirit, may attend it.

B. F. T.