PREFACE. It is with great diffidence that we offer this little work to the public, conscious that it will be open to much criticism, both as to its incidents and style: we ask for a more than common measure of indulgence. This, perhaps, may be granted to our first literary attempt, when we have stated, in a few words, our reasons for presenting it to the notice of our friends and the public. One chief inducement was the hope of benefiting the young people of the present day, by a few simple narratives, which should show them how sweetly attractive are religion and piety in their purer forms, and how necessary they are for the security of our present as well as future happiness. By these, our humble exertions, we hoped to become, in the hands of God, instrumental in contributing to the spirituality of those who might follow us in the same path, and who, in their turn, might extend more widely the blessed influences of a religious life. But we had another congenial, and yet more powerful motive, in the gratitude we felt towards our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the many benefits and blessings we have received; all concurring to show us the peace and glory of his kingdom, which can only be attained by a firm and constant reliance on him, by a resignation to the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and a faithful performance of his will. These motives united raised an earnest desire in both of us to impart to those dear young friends who will favour us by perusing the following pages, some small portion of the blessed instruction we have received; and which, we humbly hope, may assist in conducting us to that heavenly Cathe abode of unalloyed happiness, for naan, which we were all of us created. |