HOULSTON & STONEMAN, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW; AND MAY BE HAD AT 1848. PREFACE. THE following Volume of Memoirs has been compiled at the particular request of the Church of Christ, late under the pastoral care of the eminent servant of God, whose reminiscenses are herein presented to the Public. To perpetuate the memory of one deservedly esteemed and deeply lamented among a large circle of acquaintance, is an object at once gratifying to the feelings of surviving friends, and coincident with the inspired testimony of Holy Writ, which declares the memory of the just to be blessed. But the chief end sought by the publication of the accompanying Memoirs, is to promote the edification and comfort of the bereaved flock, and numerous friends of the deceased pastor, who "being dead yet speaketh" in the elevating and consolatory strains of heavenly truth, wherewith, during a long and successful ministerial course, he diligently and devotedly laboured to build up the church of God in its most holy faith. The retired habits and sedentary pursuits of the late Mr. Stevens, afford indeed but little, either of incident or of enterprize, to interest and engage the readers of biography in general; it is nevertheless hoped that the few authentic particulars, which were available for the purpose which has been sought by the compilation of this volume, will, to numerous readers, prove sufficiently interesting to render the publication a suitable medium and companion of hallowed recollections. |