Perplexity in reading the word of God-Complaint of the want of personal application-Natural aversion to the Bible-Mis- taken expectations-An impious practice-Failure arising from listlessness in reading -Want of consideration-Forget- ting that God is the author-Looking for an extraneous something-How the Spirit imparts the right meaning-Duty The folly of spending time in attempting to reconcile difficult passages-The duty of diligence in examining the proper application of the truth-The question, "what part of the Bible shall I read ?"-Quotations-Application of a Parable- On right desires-The Young Man in the Gospel-A complaint of the Inquirer-One of the marks of right desires-A misin- terpretation of Romans ix. 3-Right desires not a mere fear of hell-The breathings of an awakened sinner-Reforma- tion of life connected with sincerity-And the spirit of for. ticipations in prayer-Perplexity from an ignorance of the person addressed-Directions in prayer-The duty of de- scribing personal trials-Habit of attention-Remedy for wandering thoughts-Application of special promises-Scrip- tural examples Seasons for prayer-Ejaculatory desires- A common error adverted to again-An evil from theological distinctions-Different kinds of repentance-The scriptural distinction-Sorrow does not constitute repentance-The perversion of legal sorrow to a false hope-Examples-The error reproved in Scripture-Its cause-Causes leading to repentance-Conviction of sin-Why not to be effected with out Divine aid-Looking to Christ a means of repentance- An Inquirer reviewing his past cares-A remarkable period in his life-The simplicity of faith-A temptation to hold back from Christ-Natural incredulousness-The afflicted father's application to Christ-The case applied to the Inquirer-The workings of the Inquirer's mind-His surrender to Christ- The change-Difference in different cases-The act in which BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. THE work of superintending the publication of the first edition of this volume, was interrupted by the sudden death of its beloved and lamented author. A space of a few pages, having been left for a dedication and preface which were not prepared, must now be occupied by a brief Memoir of this eminent minister of Christ, of whose talents and devoted piety, the following work will be one among many of the precious memorials. THOMAS CHARLTON HENRY was born September 22, 1790, in the city of Philadelphia. He was the eldest son of ALEXANDER HENRY, Esq. of Philadelphia, the benevolent and venerated President of the American Sunday School Union. Originally intended for enlarged mercantile pursuits, the subject of this account went through an unusually extended course of literature, and took his first degree with distinguished reputation at Middlebury Col lege, Vermont, in August, 1814. Immediately upon his graduation, the most tempting and splendid prospects of affluence and distinction invited his entrance upon a secular career; but having felt the power of renewing grace, and having devoted himself to the Saviour, while at the College, he "conferred not with flesh and blood," but unhesitatingly embraced the laborious and self-denying profession of the Christian ministry. Accordingly, he entered upon a course of Theology in the Seminary at Princeton, N. J. which he finished in 1816, and in the same year he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. On his first entrance into the ministry, his rare endowments and polished eloquence attracted uncommon attention, and opened before him several very important and inviting fields of labour. Having received, and ultimately declined, invitations to the pastoral care of churches in Wilmington, Delaware; Salem, Mass.; and Lexington, Ky.; he finally accepted the unanimous call of the Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S. C., where he was ordained and installed, by the Presbytery of Harmony, in November, 1818. Upon the sacred duties of a pastor, Mr. HENRy entered with a deep and solemn impression of responsibility, and an unwavering determination to pursue a course of untiring labour and unyielding fidelity. Taking a decided ground in defence of vital experimental religion; urging the doctrines of the cross upon the consciences of his hearers, with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power; carrying his great work of winning souls to Christ, to the frequent prayer-meeting, the domestic circle, and the individual expostulation ;-the result was such as might have been anticipated. The church rejoiced in spiritual prosperity, many were convinced of guilt and danger, and yielded to the influence of renewing grace; while many others clustered round the standard of determined opposition. Conflicting necessarily with those whose views and feelings were in complete antagonism to his own his course afforded another severe test of character. The temptation to temporize was strong. By softening the expression of God's word, by yielding a few points of duty, he might have enjoyed universal favour and applause. But he had not so learned Christ. Unappalled by menaces, unseduced by flattery, he nobly maintained his ground, and willingly submitted to the painful sacrifice of the kind |