SKETCHES

IN THE

VINEYARD.

BY

WILLIAM SMITH.

"And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle
in the market-place; and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard."
-MATT. XX. 3, 4.

LONDON:

ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1873.

251. c.

66.

title for a book. Many widely different things might be written under such a heading; the author feels, therefore, a word of explanation is due to his readers in reference to the object he has in view in presenting these pages to their notice. His aim, then, is to call attention to the state of the work carried on by the Christian Church in relation to the young. He has too frequently observed in many Churches the most glaring deficiencies in this portion of the Vineyard, brought about by a sad want of effort and interest, and he has not hesitated, with a free hand, to expose these shortcomings, feeling that the truest regard can sometimes be shown by giving expression to the most painful truths. There has been flattery enough in the past. The time has come for plain speaking and decided action; but the writer, having pointed out the faults of the present