4-10-28 Bright. Allen, 70 PREFACE. T° O have been literally exact I should have called this book, "A LITTLE OF MY EXPERIENCE, AND A FEW OF ITS TEACHINGS." The present title, however, may be sufficiently correct, and as it was the title of the Lecture out of which the book grew, I hardly felt at liberty to give it any other. I have written the work under great disadvantages. During the greater part of the time that I have had it in hand, I have been afflicted with grievous and depressing pains. I have also been much from home, employed in preaching and lecturing, and away from my books. It is, in consequence, full of imperfections. Some parts are too long, and some too short, and others are out of their proper places. The book is altogether a poor affair compared with what it should have been, or with what it might have been, if one could have done the subject justice. Then why did I did not put off its publication awhile? Because I could not tell whether I should ever be better circumstanced. And people wanted the work; and it was time they had it. And faulty as it is in form, it is, in general, what I meant it to be, in substance. And the publication of it now will not hinder me from improving it hereafter. If a second edition should be wanted, I may make it both bigger and better. And if I live and have health I shall try to do both. Meanwhile I leave it to my readers and to God, and pray that it may prove a means of checking the bad spirit of impiety, and of promoting the spread and triumph of truth and righteousness. A thousand times do I thank God that 1449 148 I was brought back to Christ while in health and strength, —that I have been permitted to labour in His cause for so many years, and that so many have been benefitted by my labours. I should like, if it be consistent with God's will, to be permitted to labour in His cause for many years to come. I desire no higher honour; I covet no greater bliss. I can bear pain if allowed to preach and teach the religion of Christ, and to be the means of “ turning men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God." May God in His infinite mercy, preserve me by His mighty power through faith unto eternal salvation. AMEN. P.S.-I ought to have named Mr. Birtwhistle, bookseller, Halifax, Mr. Bastow, Primitive Methodist minister, Mr. Lynch, Congregational minister, of London, and one or two others, among the friends who helped me back to Christ. I also meant to have given quotations from a number of influential authors, containing testimonies to the worth of the Bible, the excellency of Christianity, the mischievous and miserable tendency of unbelief, the evil effects of substituting theological theories for simple Christian doctrines, the necessity of plain, practical preaching and writing, the employment of none but sound and honest arguments in support of Christianity, &c., &c. But all these things I must reserve to some other time. CONTENTS. PAGE Conference Expels me-On what Grounds Effect of Expulsion on my Feelings, Position, &c. Short of Money-Danger of Want-Unlooked for Sup- plies, &c. 79-80 81-83 83-84 84-86 Arrest, Trial, elected Member of Parliament, Town Coun- 90-93 Trial at Liverpool-Triumph 93-97 Go to America-Ohio-Farm Life-American associates 97-100 ΙΟΙ Moved to Salem-Conduct there-Bible Convention-Dis- Move to Nebraska-State of the country-At peace there- What helped me back towards Christ-Various incidents- Journey into the Desert-Camp out at night-Storm- Wolves-Prairie fire-Misery of utter doubt-Illness of my youngest son-Funeral of a child-Visit to a dying sceptical friend-Death of my mother-Another death- Loss of property by shipwreck-Dangerous illness of my eldest son-Dangers-Rattlesnakes, &c.-No end to mys- teries-Depravity of unbelievers-Good influence of my Prepare to return to England-Go on board—Letter from my 102-104 103-115 Engagement at Burnley-Gradual change-Lecture at Goole -Begin to pray-Funeral of a poor young Atheist- 133 133-145 145-159 159-164 Letter from Rev. C. Collins, Philadelphia, and answer— Address to young Doubters. 174, 175 Great Weakness of man-Satan's devices-Angel of Light. 190-193 Second Lesson: Bad feeling-Third Lesson: Controversy Sixth Lesson: Downward tendency of unbelief Seventh Lesson: Unbelievers reclaimable Eighth Lesson: To converted Sceptics Ninth Lesson: Look for trouble-bear it patiently 199-200 202-204 204-205 |