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resources for carrying on their business, are scattered over the country, in one or two thousand demands of a few dollars each, can duly appreciate the virtue of punctuality, for they have learned its worth in the criminal negligence of others. There are many publishers of newspapers, and editors of literary and religious periodicals, who have hardly the means of paying for their materials and supporting themselves, whose situation in life might be made comfortable, and their usefulness greatly extended, if those who have enjoyed the fruit of their services, were honest enough to pay their small debts. Each delinquent, in such cases, should consider, that he may be inflicting a most ungrateful and cruel wound, not only upon the individual who is serving him, but indirectly, upon the best interests of the community. Teachers of academies and common schools, often suffer in the same manner. The same is true of many a mechanic, day-laborer and seamstress. They are industrious, and if others were punctual, it would save them many anxious moments, and sometimes, many bitter tears. Ministers of the gospel, from their peculiar situation respecting money matters, suffer as much, from the want of punctuality, as any other class of men. Their means are limited, and if these are not promptly furnished, they have no alternative but to contract debts, and sometimes forfeit their word and lose their credit. These things ought not so to be. This, in all the above cases and many others, is "grinding the face of the poor." It is refusing to "bear the infirmities of the weak." "I speak to wise men, judge ye what I say."

4. It is morally right to compel men to pay their debts. The compulsory process of law, should always be avoided, when practicable, and should be adopted only as the last resort. But it would be a real blessing to the community to be disciplined into punctuality, even by the rod of the law, when other and gentler means have failed. It has a

bad effect, in many ways, that a multitude of small debts are never paid. It is not only unjust to the creditor, but it is a moral injury to the debtor and the community. It introduces confusion into the business world, lowers the standard of integrity, and sears the conscience. The same loose system of morals, if suffered to pass, extends to other subjects and diffuses its influence through the body politic. Such a state as this, is far more to be deprecated than the rigid execution of law upon delinquent debtors. If their neglect is not voluntary, let mercy reign. Its influence is like the dew of heaven. It is an attribute, bright in God and lovely in man. In our world, it is greatly needed; and here let it exist and triumph. But "the lawless and disobedient" may, with propriety, be compelled to do justice to others, and pay their debts. their debts. The apostle who wrote the precept, "Owe no man any thing," informs us, that the law was made for such. Indeed both law and gospel enforce the injunction of the text, by the authority of God and the solemn sanctions of eternity.

From the American Baptist.

"We esteem this Sermon (CCIX) one of the most valuable in the very valuable series of Sermons which that Work has presented to the reading public within the last ten years; a Work which deserves to receive a larger share of public patronage than it has yet secured."

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF YALE COLLEGE.

"Allow me to express my decided approbation of the object and plan of the National Preacher. It has opened a new channel for the religious influence of the press. It gives a durable form to a selection of able discourses; and probably gains for them a more attentive perusal, by distributing them, not in volumes, but in smaller portions, at regular intervals of time. The execution, so far as I have observed, is such as to satisfy the public expectation."

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND PROFESSORS OF AMHERST COLLEGE.

"Mr. Dickinson has a clear and discriminating mind; and is himself at once an able writer and preacher. Having spent four years at the South and West, and become extensively acquainted with Ministers and Christians of different denominations; and having at the same time, an intimate knowledge of the religious state and wants of New-England; perhaps no man is better qualified to make a powerful and salutary impression on the public mind, by combining (and in a sense directing) the talents of our most eminent divines in his Monthly Preacher.

"Most sincerely do we wish him the co-operation of those, whose name and influence may make the work a blessing to many thousands."

FROM PROFESSORS IN PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

"The plan proposed by the Rev. Austin Dickinson, of publishing a Monthly Series of Sermons, from the pens of respectable ministers of different denominations of Christians in the United States, is one which, in our opinion, may be rendered highly interesting, and extensively useful. We do, therefore, willingly recommend the undertaking to the patronage of the Christian community."

FROM THE QUARTERLY CHR. SPECTATOR.

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"We do not hesitate to say, that Mr. Dickinson has adopted one of the happiest expedients hitherto devised, for eliciting that diversity of gifts,' in the Christian ministry, which infinite wisdom and benevolence have bestowed for the edification of the body of Christ, and for bringing sinners to the foot of the cross."

FROM THE NEW-YORK OBSERVER.

"This periodical has, from its commencement in 1826, been regarded as a standard work; and, afforded as it is at the low price of one dollar a year, and sustained by some of the ablest writers of our country, we should expect it would continue to have an extensive and increasing circulation."

BACK VOLUMES.

A few entire sets remain, which can be obtained, by those who first apply, through booksellers, merchants, or others sending to N. Y.

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Dear Joshua Green

SIR:

The National Preacher is been continued to you, as a subscriber, in accordance with the rms on next page; and, as is supposed, in accordance with your conined wishes. It appears from the books at this office, that you are still arrears from June 1830 This work, though

idely circulated, has never been to the Editor a source of gain, but ther of pecuniary sacrifice, aud, at present, of severe embarrassment, ch as you and others in arrears can relieve by simply "doing justly.". nd it is hoped, that in view of considerations which must at once sugst themselves to every honest and generous mind you will attend to is matter without any farther delay, and thus prevent the necessity for -different call.

THE AMERICAN

NATIONAL PREACHER.

CONTENTS OF No. 12. Vol. XI.-MAY, 1837.

WO SERMONS." The goodness of God fitted to lead men to Repentance."

By Rev. DR. HAWES.

"The Day of Judgment: or, Final Appeal to the Impenitent." By Rev. A. DICKINSON.

NEXT VOLUME DEFERRED.

The commencement of the twelfth volume will be deferred till Janary. It is preferable on many accounts, that each volume commence ith the year, rather than, as heretofore, embrace parts of two years. listakes and inconveniences in making payment, and in binding, ay thus be better avoided, and the entire series be in a better contion for future reference. A general Index to the eleven volumes cometed, is given at the end of this No., and such as have not taken the work om the beginning, are reminded, that a very few entire sets, (bound) e still on hand, and a larger number of sets, with the exception of the t and 2d volumes; which will be furnished at the subscription price, those who first apply. All communications to be directed to the ditor.

Such as have received money for the Preacher are earnestly. esired, in this time of pressure, to forward it without delay.

POSTAGE--One Cent and a half, not over 100 miles.

Too Cents and a half, any distance

100 miles

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