Morning and Evening, Vol. 1 of 3: Exercises for the Closet for Every Day in the Year (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from Morning and Evening, Vol. 1 of 3: Exercises for the Closet for Every Day in the Year

The following pages, it is believed, will be found to differ a little from works of the same species; especially in making the Exercises always express more fully the import of the textual motto at the head of them; in the arrangement or a greater diversity of subjects in the selection of more passages from the less observed and less improved parts of Scripture and in the seizure of hints of in struction from the more indirect and incidental strokes of the Sacred Penmen.

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Excerpt from Morning and Evening, Vol. 1 of 3: Exercises for the Closet for Every Day in the Year

A Publication is not rendered improper or needless because works of a similar nature have preceded it. Little would ever issue from the press if such a principle were admitted. For what new thing is there under the sun? Neither is an author in this case supposed to undervalue the labours of those who have gone before him. He only adds to their number, with his own probabilities of excitement. And he may awaken fresh attention in the minds even of those who have made use of his predecessors, while he may fall into the hands of some who have to begin this kind of reading. Every author, too, has not only his own connexions, but his own manner; and thus, as the tastes of readers vary, more individuals can be gratified.

The following pages, it is believed, will be found to differ a little from works of the same species; especially in making the Exercises always express more fully the import of the textual motto at the head of them; in the arrangement 01 a greater diversity of subjects; in the selection of more passages from the less observed and less improved parts of Scripture; and in the seizure of hints of instruction from the more indirect and incidental strokes of the Sacred Penmen.

The author confesses the work was much more arduous in the execution than he had apprehended in the prospect. The chief difficulty arose from the necessity of so much compression and brevity. It was found no easy thing, in two or three pages, not only to secure the spirit of the passage, but to give it some illustration and effect, by glimpses of scenery, and glances at historical facts, and traits of character, where diffusion and particularity were forbidden. While he makes no scruple to avow that this was his wish and design, he la ments sincerely that he has not more perfectly succeeded in accomplishing them. Leisure, and an exclusive dedication of himself to the plan for some months, or even weeks, might have yielded something more satisfactory. But complaint is useless, and apology vain. He has done, in his circumstances, what he could. And it yields him pleasure to think that, besides some other works of a general nature for the religious public, and especially several for the use of families, he has now produced something more particularly for the closet.

The writer has always been attached to publications of this kind; and, from his own experience and observation, he is convinced of their adaptation to usefulness. He cannot but wish that Christians would read the Scripture itself more, and endeavour to reflect themselves on the passages which, either in a continued course, or in selections at the time, come before them. The power of doing this would improve by the use, and the pleasure and advantage resulting from the facility would amply reward any difficulty in the acquisition. But it is to be lamented, many do not reflect; and so the customary and cursory perusal, for want of thought, produces little impression; and the paragraph or chapter or it may be even chapters are immediately forgotten. But a verse or sentence, separately placed before the eye, is more distinctly remarked; and, being illustrated in a brief and lively comment, is more easily remembered. To supply such assistance cannot be reckoned an attempt to lead people from the Word of God, but to it; and it may teach those who use it, in time, to do for themselves what it may be necessary at first in another to do for them.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com