RELIGIOUS SOUVENIR, A Christmas, New Year's, and Birth Day Present, FOR MDCCCXXXVI. EDITED BY CHAUNCEY COLTON, D. D. PRESIDENT OF BRISTOL COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY KEY & BIDDLE. 1836. 159791 X AND Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by KEY & BIDDLE, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: PREFACE. THIS work, the fourth volume of which is now presented to the public, had its origin in the fertile invention and pious zeal of one who found it easier than most men, to hold the mere pride of intellect in abeyance when the question of any service, however humble in the cause of Christian piety, was before him. It was one of the loveliest traits of the accomplished character of Dr. Bedell, that while the 'weightier matters' connected with the responsibility of high endowments were discharged by him with rare fidelity and success, he did not disdain those less pretending offices of mental effort, which are often regarded as having to do with the 'annise and cummin' of elegant literature. He loved, in the hours of relaxation from graver and more solemn duties, to gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.' . The beautiful custom of presenting Christmas and |