UNIV. OF PREFACE. IT was long a matter of painful doubt to the Editor whether he should be justifiable in committing to the press the collection of Remains contained in this volume; convinced as he was that none of them were ever designed for that purpose by the Author himself, who, indeed, would have shrunk from the idea of publication. However, his hesitation has been overborne by the strong hope that they may prove generally instructive as well as interesting, and afford a peculiar gratification to a wide circle of friends. b 520245 It was at first intended to publish the Sermons only; but, on a more mature consideration, it seemed advisable to give a short account of the Author, interspersed with his poems and other remains, particularly as many of them have been for a considerable time in private circulation amongst a few acquaintances, and would, most probably, have found their way to the press in some other shape. In fact, their publication appeared inevitable; and it therefore seemed better that they should go forth to the public through the hands of a friend, who was in possession of all the original manuscripts, and who had also the happiness of an uninterrupted intimacy and communication with the Author, from the time he entered college until his lamented death. The state in which the papers were committed to him rendered it a task of greater labour to select, arrange, and tran scribe them for the press, than can easily be imagined. This circumstance, and the late arrival of some promised communications, caused a greater delay in the publication than the writer could have anticipated. The miscellaneous nature of the work may possibly render it more generally useful than one exclusively upon religious subjects. Many, who admire the raptures of the poet, may be induced to regard with reverence the instructions of the divine: they may feel a peculiar desire to mark what thoughts a heart, animated by the Muse, can bring forth when hallowed by a loftier and purer inspiration. The Editor is painfully conscious how imperfect is the sketch which he has here given of the Author's life and character; and must throw himself upon the indulgence of the friends who are most deeply interested in the work, with an humble hope |