507. PREFACE

Preface

The sketches of Sermons contained in this volume have been prepared at various times, and may be divided into three or four distinct classes.

Those relating to the subject of Christian Missions occupy the first pages For nearly fifty years, men of decided talent and spiritual excellence have been preaching upon this topic in London, and numerous large towns and cities of England, as well as in our own country. From these discourses most of this class of the sketches have been selected and formed; and it is truly delightful to observe how ministers of the Church of England, Wesleyans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Congregationalists, all enunciate the same great and glorious truths, when advocating the momentous claims of a world which lieth in wickedness. This class of the selections has been made irrespective of the sect or party of the preacher; the end contemplated being an exposition of the missionary spirit from some of the most talented ministers of past and present times. There are also included in this class four sketches on the subject of the conversion of the Jews; and one especially addressed to children, whose exertions in the cause of missions have been of late so strikingly exhibited. Those which are without name, it may be stated, are the productions of the compiler of the volume.

The next class of these sketches comprise a series which were prepared to form a suitable accompaniment to former volumes published by the author, entitled "Sketches on Types and Metaphors," and "On the Parables of Christ." They, however, contain entirely new themes, and, in some instances, characters and incidents not usually found in volumes of printed discourses.

The third class contains sketches of sermons which have been delivered on more public and special occasions than usual. The appropriateness of the subjects may very properly be considered as a matter of personal opinion or taste; and, of course, the reader will employ his own judgment as to the fitness of the topics there presented to the occasions for which they were designed. The great and blessed Teacher regarded this law of appropriateness with peculiar exactness, in suiting his various parables and discourses to the occasions and circumstances of those whom he addressed. Certain it is, that congregations look for subjects expressly bearing on the object contemplated in the service for which they are convened. The last class of these sketches has been published with a view to the edification of those persons confined in the chamber of affliction; to Christian families when deprived of the public means of grace; and also to aid village worship, in the absence of the usual preaching of the word. To answer these ends they have been studiously condensed, so as not to weary those who may peruse or hear them; and also to be suggestive of trains of thought which might lead to extended profitable meditations. Among the discourses of this class, there will be found subjects of a doctrinal, experimental, and practical character; yet so simple and plain as to be easily understood, and so thoroughly imbued with the spirit and letter of God’s word, that they should lead the mind from the uncertainties of human opinion to the utterances of the living oracles, which convey to us the essential truths of salvation.

In conclusion, it should be stated that the volume now put forth by the American publishers, was first issued by the compiler and author in five small and distinct volumes from the English press, the contents of all of which are comprised in these pages.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS