PREFACE. A FEW of the pieces, which make up the present volume, are original, as are also the reflections, which occasionally follow other pieces; but the work is chiefly a compilation, consisting of Tales and Anecdotes, which have been collected from various sources, with reference to a particular object-viz. an interesting and instructive book for the Sabbath. No article, not decidedly moral and religious in its tendency, has been intentionally admitted. Of course, however, among such a variety of anecdotes, not every one can be expected to possess the same merit, nor have the same adaptation. The Author has not even attempted to give the names of the authors of the several articles, as many of them were found to be anonymous; nor has he indicated the sources whence they are derived, as in numerous instances, the original publications, in which they appeared, could not be ascertained. Suffice it to say, that during many a long ramble, and diligent search, he has culled whatever seemed auxiliary to his purpose-a choice collection, adapted to family reading on the Sabbath. In respect to the truth of the several narratives, no doubt can exist as to the great proportion of them; in respect to the remainder, the author has no means of deciding with absolute certainty, but from the general character of the articles themselves, and especially the occasions on which many of them were related-Missionary Meetings, Bible and Tract Society anniversaries-it is believed, that confidence may be placed in the truth of all. A large and fair type has been selected for the work, in accommodation to the impaired sight of the aged. This class of persons not unfrequently object to modern subscription books, on the ground that the small type employed, renders the perusal of them rather painful than agreeable. This objection is here obviated. The reader will no doubt deduce for himself those important re "Now, God has never revoked this expression of his will. He has never repealed this law. If he has, when did he it, and where is the record of its repeal? He has not taken off the blessing which he laid on the Sabbath. He has not obliterated the distinction, which he put on the seventh portion of time. He has not said, 'you need no longer remember the Sabbath to keep it holy-seven days you may labor-my example of six days work, followed by one of cessation and rest, you may now cease to imitate.' He has not said any thing like it. The law is in force therefore even until now. "Well, here is the law of God, with the reason of it. Now, for the practice of men. How poorly they compare! There are indeed few, who do not remember the Sabbath day, and in some manner distinguish it from the other days of the week. But the law is, that they should remember it to keep it holy; that they should distinguish it by hallowing it as a day of rest. This they do not. They keep it no more holy than any other day, though they do differently on that day, from what they do on others. They do not the same work on that day, which they do on the other days, but they do some work. Such as necessity requires, and such as mercy dictates, they may do. The law of nature teaches that, and the example of the Lord of the Sabbath sanctions and confirms the lesson."* But they do other things besides what necessity and mercy call them to do, and that which may be considered work, and certainly not contemplated by the Great Lord of the Sabbath. By this I do not mean that my readers do not attend upon the public worship of God. You go, often, perhaps, and while in the sanctuary, you appear to worship God "in sincerity and truth." You listen to the Divine message, as delivered by the minister; and, if not doers of the word, you are attentive hearers of it. You return to your homes in quietness and order. But how do you employ the other portions of the day? What books do you read? Possibly none. There are those, who attend the public worship of God, who seldom if ever peruse the Scriptures, or any other religious books, on the Sabbath. I confess that the number is probably small. Most of those, who thus honor the institution of Neven's Practical Thoughts. |