158 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by HARPER AND BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. PREFACE. A NEW book of daily readings for the Christian needs. no apology. Indeed, it is deemed, that a daily help to Christian meditation, devotion, and holy practice, like that which is furnished in the following pages, is specially demanded by the present state of the Christian community in general. It has been well remarked by Dr. Hitchcock, in his preface to the American Edition of Tauler's Sermons, that, "The Protestant piety of the nineteenth century, so justly honored for its missionary zeal and achievements, is indisputably weak and sluggish in self-denial, in meditation, and in all the forces and fervors of a deeply inward life." External activity and excitement distinguish the Christianity of our age. But to a most injurious extent have the more secluded and unobtrusive engagements and virtues of religion claimed, in vain, our profound and constant attention. Hence we have more noise, and outward show, but less of the calm, thoughtful, and devout piety of other days. If such be the case—and we think those capable of judging, will not call it in ques tion, then, as a small contribution towards a remedy for the evil, the following work may be regarded as a supply in part for the wants of the times. Long familiarity with the Authors whose writings furnish the materials of which this book is composed, has induced the conviction in my mind, deep and strong, that to bring their "thoughts that breathe and words that burn" into living contact with the understanding, heart, and conscience, of our Country, and our Churches, would be an achievement, by which any man might feel himself amply rewarded for the time and toil which it would cost. Under this conviction, with constant prayer for the Divine guidance and blessing, I have prosecuted the work of selecting, arranging, and specially adapting the materials of this "Daily Walk with Wise Men." In the preparation of the numerous readings in this book, I have in many instances adapted the Scripture text to the articles selected, and in not a few, have connected the text with the selected matter, by original remarks. These remarks, immediately following the Scripture passages, are in no instance distinguished from the matter selected, by any other sign than the peculiarity of my own style. This has been deemed sufficient for my purpose. I have not scrupled to substitute, when considered. necessary to perspicuity or ease, words in common use, for obsolete expressions. And in one or two instances, I have changed phrases common at the time of Chrysostom, which at the present time might convey a wrong impression, for others more obvious and simple. With these exceptions, my Authors speak for themselves both in phrase and sentiment. |