and who invites our confidence? Why reluctant to hold intercourse with a world to which, if we are true disciples of Jesus, we are rapidly hastening? With the hope of adding to the interest of the volume, the author has indulged a good deal in narrative-opening and explaining the circumstances which gave birth to the several prayers. This will render the work more attractive to the young; and, with the same object in view, he has interspersed it with occasional anecdotes. The author has not hesitated to avail himself of such labors of others as were within his reach, having reference to the topics under consideration. He is indebted to the Commentaries of Doddridge, Scott, Henry, Barnes, and Bush; besides numerous other authors, to whom acknowledgments are made in the progress of the work. One difficulty has particularly pressed upon him:-a tendency, growing out of a similarity of subjects, to repeat the same thought, or the same argument. Such repetitions it, has been impossible, in all cases, entirely to avoid. But as in general different language has been used, and a somewhat different phase of the subject presented, it will not be deemed, it is believed, a serious defect. The author has little expectation of again appearing before the public in any extended work; and he is willing, at length, to lay down his pen at the end of a volume, which embodies an account of the delightful and successful intercourse of believers with heaven for ⚫ some four thousand years. Should it prove as profitable to others as it has been to his own soul, his reward will be indeed great. He casts it upon the "waters," with the fervent wish that, amidst the fluctuating tides of providential influence, it may find its way to many children of God, prompting them to far more "earnest energetic prayer;" and inspiring in the bosom of many a wandering prodigal the wish to look up, and call God "Father!" |