THINGS TO THINK OF.

BY REV. H. A. SAWTELLE.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO:

A. ROMAN & COMPANY,

11 MONTGOMERY STREET.

1873.

A

The most of the condensed statements contained in this book are the author's own, and they are generally made with the ardor, relish, and accent, of deep conviction. The writer has believed, and therefore spoken. Some of the things stated with strong emphasis will be deemed hard and even repelling; but if the writer believes them, if he finds them required by the Bible and the analogy of the Christian system, shall he not utter them? preacher should ask no pardon for speaking the truth as he himself perceives it. Least of all need he be counted an enemy to any who cannot accept what he ministers. A people want their preacher to be honest and outspoken in all doctrine, even though they cannot as yet follow him in every particular. The reader will here find brevities upon the greatest variety of important topics; yet he will see that a prominence is given to the old evangelical doctrines, the old ideas of sin and salvation, which however are ever new and ever germinant with the believing mind. Re-statements of some of these

old matters the author feels to be both necessary and timely; and he does not doubt that in the brief form here taken they will arrest attention and lodge in the mind as they would not otherwise do. He hopes, in the somewhat unusual manner of the present volume, to contribute something towards planting strong Bible principles in the community, towards nourishing and establishing sincere minds in the great truth of Christ, and towards withstanding certain of the busy errors of the day. At the same time, may he not possibly excite some to more thoughtfulness in general, to a deeper sense of duty, and to more loving search into the mines of truth? If such objects are promoted by the present effort, if in this way the writer may serve, not only others, but also the people among whom he has so long and enjoyably labored, if thus he may do a little for the Master apart from whom he can have no interest, he has indeed both his desire and his plentiful reward.

San Francisco, December 11, 1872.