PREFACE ΤΟ THE SEVENTH EDITION. THE Author cannot allow the following pages to go a seventh time to the press without expressing his gratitude to the Almighty for the unexpected manner in which he has owned the former Editions to the edification and comfort of several readers. Little did he think that so humble a performance would have been so extensively blessed, or that it would have received that approbation which the religious public have kindly bestowed upon it. That He whose providential mercies it is intended to mark out may continue to bless its little records, to the promotion of his own glory, and the spiritual good o men, is the writer's most fervent desire. What he observed in his Preface to the first Edition, he would now repeat, namely, that the disadvantage of writing a work like the present, anonymously, is undoubtedly great; because much of its interest depends on the authenticity of the events related in it, or on the credit the reader gives as to the reality of its different statements - which credit and authenticity might be strengthened by the addition of the author's real signature. Yet the present mode is not without its advantages. It enables him to say many things of others without wounding their feelings, and to relate more concerning himself than he could well do as the declared and publicly acknowledged author. Conscience and facts will at one glance tell some persons that they are the men alluded to in No. VII., and these silent monitors are as likely to bring them to a better frame of mind as a more explicit declaration of their names would. As to the ordinary reader, he may most confidently rely on the contents of the following papers, as the unexaggerated relation of facts, which the writer can challenge the world to falsify, and which he will be ready to prove and establish on all occasions and in every way that can be done, consistently with his original plan of speaking the truth in love, and so as not to become personal, or to wound the minds of individuals. If, from a perusal of the title page, the reader should look for a regular ard unbroken history, either of the state of the writer's mind, or of all the events which made up those years under review, he will be disappointed. The papers convey but a partial and often an unconnected account of both, and these not unfrequently interspersed with other subjects. System was no part of his plan, and must not be looked for by the reader. He professes not the art of book-making; but would cast his mite into the Christian treasury, for the edification of a few who are desirous of seeing the mercies and providences of God in the events of human life. March 1821. THE RETROSPECT. No. I. "BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS." THERE are few, perhaps noe, of the followers of Christ, who may not find numerous occasions of lifting up their eyes and hearts to heaven, and saying, from time to time, "Hitherto the Lord hath helped." Indeed we may confidently ask, Who is there among the sons and daughters of Adam, that hath travelled the journey of life for twenty or thirty years, but may look back and remember numerous instances of divine goodness, manifesting itself in a way of providence and grace? And are “our days, as it were, but a span long?" Surely, then, it is our duty and privilege to improve them, and call A B in every auxiliary circumstance to help us to apply them to spiritual wisdom. To this end I would recommend my fellow Christians to make a point of recording in their minds such principal events as have marked, and still may mark, their course, while travellers and sojourners on earth; that so they may be able to say, It was on this day the Lord delivered me from such a danger, from such a snare, from such a threatening storm-this was the day when the Almighty proved better to me than all my fears-that was the day whereon he stretched forth his hand and saved me, and set my feet upon a rock, and ordered my goings, and put a new song in my mouth. Thus every month may be registered, and a sort of calendar made out, to which the soul may occasionally refer, and find sweet matter of thanksgiving and praise. Some men's lives, it is true, are chequered with more extraordinary events and changes than those of others; yet the most tranquil course of the most retired Christian will not be without its interesting events and its memorable days; interesting and memorable at least to themselves, although the circumstances which made them so |