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PUBLIC LIBRARY
281296

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
1908

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1832, BY JOSEPH LIBBEY,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maine.

ADVERTISEMENT.

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It is not always the case, that a preacher's reputation among his contemporaries is commensurate with his actual worth. While some riot in popular favor, and 'the world goeth after them,' others, whose labors may be connected with equally important results, pass their days on earth in comparative silence, blessing their race in a thousand ways, without being extensively known as benefactors. It is not till they are removed from this world, that their agency and influence are fully appreciated beyond the little circle of those, who had narrowly observed their doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience." Qualities, that leave the most salutary and permanent impression, are not always those which excite, at first, the greatest admiration. Some men seem qualified by their constitutional properties, as well as by the nature of their attainments, to labor at the 'foundations,' which by their instrumentality are kept from 'going out of course; while others are seen and heard around, or aloft on, the superstructure, which, to casual or unreflecting beholders, appears to rise by their unaided efforts. This diversity of gifts is one of the admirable provisions of the great Head of the church for advancing the triumphs of truth, and subjugating the world to his sway.

The author of the discourses herewith presented to the

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public, is believed to belong to that class of teachers, who, "though dead," ought to be permitted to speak" for the good of survivors, and of souls yet to be born. His sermons are thought to possess characteristics, which fit them for permanent usefulness. They will bear repeated perusal-an invaluable quality, for which the scriptures of truth are preeminently distinguished. Familiarity with them will not detract from the reader's estimate of their worth; on the contrary, the more frequently these sermons are read, the more will their excellencies be developed, and the more highly will they be prized. Such, at least, has been the effect on the superintendents of this publication, of those repeated perusals which the collation and printing of its contents rendered unavoidable. Their high character as compositions, it is hoped, will gain for them a degree of attention from a class of persons, who bore no sympathy in the sentiments of the departed preacher. The church, whose members were best qualified, from their relation to the author, to appreciate his discourses, early took measures to secure the publication of this volume; and it is not doubted that their conduct, and the judgment on which it proceeded, will receive the hearty sanction of the religious community;--to whom and God's blessing it is confidently commended.

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