He will perceive that their spirit is the pure, rational, elevated and lovely spirit of our blessed master. The editor is glad to bring before the community such a favorable specimen of the pulpit talents of our English brethren of the Unitarian faith. Their writings are comparatively little known among us. We love and honor their names as the faithful advocates of civil and religious liberty, and the zealous supporters of the simple doctrines of primitive christianity; but, until recently, we have not had much acquaintance with their published labors. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their noble efforts in the cause of truth and freedom, and we rejoice to add to our obligations, the present contribution to the interests of practical religion. May it increase our sympathy and friendship for those distant brethren who have received "the like precious faith with us." That this volume may prove a blessing to every family into which it shall enter, by confirming a pure and intelligent faith, quickening the spirit of devotion, and "extending the prevalence of vital and personal religion" is the sincere wish and hope of THE AMERICAN EDITOR. Boston, May, 1831. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND LONDON EDITION. In bringing before the Public the Second Edition of this Work, the Editor has to remark, that at the suggestion of friends, and by the aid of his respected Coadjutors, he has added to each discourse a Prayer, supplied by the several Contributors. The Editor is not insensible to the favorable reception given to the First Edition of these Sermons ; a reception which he ascribes, in part, to the kindness of the subscribers; but mostly to the well-known worth and talent of those Ministers who did him the honor to consign their compositions into his hands. He trusts, and he has reason to hope, that the discourses may already have proved in some measure conducive to the great objects which they were designed to serve and if he might, without being thought wearisome, venture to revert to the chief end which he had in view in preparing them for the press, he would urge, with solemn earnestness, upon all heads and masters of families, the observance of the imperative and pleasant duty of family worship. Guided by the general tenor of the Scriptures, and the general experience of the best Christians, and considering the great ends of the Chris tian religion, he is fully convinced that in proportion as this duty is observed in a family, in a church, or in a community, in the same proportion will the favor of God rest upon it; and piety, and its constant attendant happiness, be found to prevail in the midst of its members. The adoption of family worship would destroy one half of the unhappiness which mars the peace of domestic life; and it would augment and sanctify the comforts of home, to an extent not conceivable by those who limit their exercises of devotion to the house of public prayer. The most interesting and the most happy family mentioned in the New Testament, is that in which religion was most honored, and the Saviour of the world most beloved;-nor can a more engaging and attractive argument be adduced in favor of family devotion, than that which is presented in the happy mixture of affection and piety observable in the house of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. May the blessing of Him, without whom all human labors are in vain,-of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, follow this and every endeavor to advance the kingdom of his Son. |