HELP ONWARD; OR, Short Meditations FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR. COMPILED FROM VARIOUS CHRISTIAN AUTHORS. By C. L. F. "LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH, AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART, BE LONDON: WERTHEIM, MACINTOSH, AND HUNT, 24, PATERNOSTER-ROW, AND 23, HOLLES-STREET, CAVENDISH-SQUARE. LONDON: WERTHEIM, MACINTOSH, AND HUNT, 24, PATERNOSTER-ROW, AND 23, HOLLES-STREET, CAVENDISH-SQUARE. BO INTRODUCTION. Ar the request of a valued member of my flock, I write a few lines of commendation at the head of the following pages. I venture to think, however, that they carry their own imprimatur with them, and that no guarantee is needed for extracts from such writers as Bishop Hall, Leighton, Rutherford, Flavel, Gurnall, Trail, M. Henry, Baxter, Bunyan, Wilcox, Brainerd, Cecil, Howels, M'Cheyne, Hewitson, &c., to say nothing of quotations from authors who are happily still living. The names in the index would be a sufficient apology for omission of all preface. It was said by some sensible and experienced Christian (Hannah More, if I remember right), that over and above our daily readings of the Bible, it is well always to have some devotional book in hand. Many such books we already have, and many are the readers of them. One more, brief, fervent, spiritual, and Evangelical in the highest sense,—is offered to those who, in the midst of "manifold temptations" and distractions, would fain keep their soul as a "watered garden." Reader, you have here the fruit of many hours of enforced seclusion. This little work comes forth to you from the chamber of affliction. May it be as profitable to you as it has been delightful to the compiler. Let it be used in a spirit of intelligent faith,-not exalted into the place of the Bible, nor substituted for prayer and thought in connexion with the Bible,—and, doubtless, it will prove a blessing. You shall "increase with all the increase of God." In this hope it is commended to your Christian consideration. In this hope it is commended to the God of all grace, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose Spirit alone the divine word becomes a living seed within our hearts. Parsonage, Lower Tulse Hill, 1862. N. A. GARLAND. HELP ONWARD; OR, SHORT MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR. JANUARY I. "Redeeming the time."-EPH. v. 16. “THERE is nothing more conducive to a life of Christianity than a diligent, industrious, and faithful improvement of precious time. Let us then faithfully perform that business which is allotted to us, by Divine Providence, to the utmost of our bodily strength and mental vigour. Why should we sink and grow discouraged with any particular trials and perplexities which we are called to encounter in the world? Death and eternity are just before us. A few tossing billows more will waft us into the world of spirits, and we hope, through infinite grace, into endless pleasures and uninterrupted rest and peace. Let us then run with patience the race set before us.' And, oh, that we could depend more upon the living God, and less upon our own wisdom and strength."-Brainerd. "Thanks for mercies past received, Teach us henceforth how to live, B |
