Various modes of doing good. the fruit and the evidence of piety; and the degree of genuine, heartfelt, persevering, interest with which we engage in our Master's work, is perhaps the best measure of the degree in which we possess his spirit. I have endeavored to delineate the temper and the feelings with which this work should be done. This spirit, I have represented as mild, gentle, patient, unobtrusive. It should take this form generally among those for whom these books are chiefly written. While, however, in our ordinary intercourse with mankind, we act in this gentle manner, we ought not to feel that all violent collision with sin is wrong, and condemn those, who, from the circumstances in which Providence has placed them, are led to engage in more violent struggles with sin. Such violent struggles are sometimes, though pernaps seldom, unavoidable, and we must not feel irritation or anger against those who use, what we consider, harsh or severe language in denouncing sin, or in measures to oppose it. Jesus Christ could rebuke sharply. He once drove sinners away from their work of wickedness, with a scourge; he described a class of guilty men as a generation of vipers, and called one of nis disciples a devil. This should not, indeed, lead us to nabits of severity and denunciation, but it should, at least, mitigate the censorious feelings which we are prone to cherish towards those who rebuke sin with a bluntness which we ourselves should not think of imitating. Moral remedies are as various as moral diseases, and he to whom Providence has, by circumstances, or by constitutional temperament, committed one class of them, should not censure harshly, those who have been entrusted with another. John ought not frown at the boldness of Peter, nor Peter look with contempt upon the mildness and gentleness of John. My work is done. It is four years since these illustrations of Christianity were commenced; and the pen was The author's farewell. taken up with much hesitation and fear. So great has been the indulgence, however, with which these humble attempts have been received, both in England and America, that I find myself in the midst of a vast assemblage, now that I am about to take my leave. I tremble to think of the responsibility I have been bearing,-a responsibility whose extent and magnitude I so little foresaw. May God forgive all that has been wrong, either in writer or readers, and make use of these volumes as an humble part of that mighty instrumentality, which He is now employing, to bring back this lost world again to HIM. 4929 END. The borrower must return this item on or before the last date stamped below. If another user places a recall for this item, the borrower will be notified of the need for an earlier return. Non-receipt of overdue notices does not exempt the borrower from overdue fines. Please handle with care. Thank you for helping to preserve |