32132

SERMONS.

BY REV. DANIEL kin

CLARK,

Author of "Conference Sermons,” “Church Safe," &c. &c.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

"If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for
the battle?"

NEW-YORK:

PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR,
Brick Church Chapel.

.........

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1836,

BY DANIEL A. CLARK, A.M.

In the Clerk's Office for the Southern District of New-York.

H. LUDWIG, PRINTER,

72, Vesey-street, N. Y.

INTRODUCTION.

THE author cannot fail to recollect with gratitude, the unexpectedly rapid sale of a former volume, and the many favourable acknowledgments he has received from its readers. Though repeatedly urged to issue a new edition of that volume, or other fruits of his pen, he has hitherto declined, except occasionally to publish sermons and essays in some of the current periodicals. But since his health has failed, and he can no longer stand in the holy place, rather than bear the agony of living to no purpose, he has summoned resolution, with the encouragement and aid of kind friends, to arrange and issue these three volumes, including some

of his former publications.

The author has still the same conviction as formerly expressed, that writings are often spoiled by too much smoothing and polishing. Hence the present volumes are permitted to go forth with those occasional roughnesses, which, it is hoped, may not give offence, but simply stir up thought, and arouse proper feeling. He is also impressed with the fact, that in the manner of reading, and especially of reading sermons, there is generally exhibited a most shameful and criminal deficiency. If he might be allowed a suggestion on this point, he would say with deference, let the parent, or some one selected by him, read aloud for the benefit of the family, after preparing himself to read with due emphasis and feeling. And as a general rule, read aloud, even when alone- remembering that impressions made at once on the ear and eye, reach the heart with double force. Let this course be prayerfully adopted, and wellwritten sermons, and essays, and the precious Bible itself, would not so often be regarded

as dull compositions; but their perusal would be accompanied with power from on high. That some portion of that blessed influence may attend these little volumes, and that they may not be consigned, with their author, to speedy dust and worms, is his last written prayer.

NEW-YORK, Feb. 1836.