EDITOR'S PREFACE. BUT few words are needed in introducing the Third Volume of "THE CHRISTIAN HELPER" to our Household of Faith. The volume has been published in fulfilment of the Publisher's pledge to the General Convention, and as a sign of his faith in the importance and ultimate success of the system of "Religious Helps" of which it is part- and not on account of any encouragement furnished thus far in the demand for the former issues. Pecuniarily, the undertaking has been altogether unpromising and uninviting. The public spirit of the Publisher, and his fidelity to his promise, under these circumstances, should be properly appreciated. There is an important use for these Volumes. The fields are white already to harvest.' The call for ministers of our faith was never so great as now; and never before, were there so many fields which must be occupied by lay-preachers, if occupied at all. It is devoutly to be wished that our friends will appreciate the peculiar demands made upon them, and wisely avail themselves of the means of self-culture and of labor for the truth, furnished in the GOSPEL LITURGY and the several Volumes of the CHRISTIAN HELPER. Faithfully employed, they will bless many fields, now unimproved, with the evidences of Christian Activity, and sow seed which shall be fruitful in harvests unto Eternal Life. No importance is attached to the plan of dating the sermons; but it has been followed, that the present might be in keeping with the former volumes. As in preceding issues, the [*] star marks the Prayers supplied by the Edi tor. Cordial thanks are tendered to the brethren who have contributed for the volume. The Editor would have been glad to include in this acknowledgment, two brethren far away, on whose promise he relied to the last. Had his expectations of them been met, he would have been saved the necessity of publishing any discourse of his own. The many friends of the lamented author, and all to whom the volume shall come, will welcome the sermon here given from the MSS. of HENRY BACON. Is it too much to hope that his words will have an added force to all who shall read or hear them, as a voice from out the Divine Realities upon which he has entered, and of which, while here, he loved so well to speak? This volume is not perfect; but it is confidently believed that it is rich in thought to do good:- and grateful to God for the health and strength which have enabled him, amidst many other cares, to perform the labor devolved upon him, the Editor now sends it forth to its work-commending it to the favor of the public, to the use of those for whom it has been especially prepared,— and above all, to the blessing of Him, who, however men may labor, alone can give the increase. E. G. B. NOTE.The Editor has seen no revised proof of these pages-which will explain the few typographical errors that will be observed. None have been detected that mar the sense, or that the reader may not easily correct, unless the interchange of "of" and "to," near the commencement of the first paragraph, p. 350. INDEX OF SERMONS. BY REV. J. H. FARNSWORTH, ROCKPORT, MASS. September 12, - THE GOSPEL A PERFECT SYSTEM, BY REV. J. S. LEE, WOODSTOCK, VT. 164 BY REV. E. W, REYNOLDS, JAMESTOWN, N. Y. ... 179 196 CONTENT AND DISCONTENT,........ BY REV. JOSEPH S. DENNIS, DUBUQUE, IOWA. October 10, · October 17, CHRISTIAN REST, ... ....... 222 BY REV. WILLIAM S. BALLOU, GALESBURG, ILL. October 24, PRACTICAL LESSONS OF IMMORTALITY, 238 BY REV. W. R. FRENCH, TURNER, ME. November 7, CHRIST'S PURPOSE AND FIDELITY,.. 271 BY REV. C. H. FAY, MIDDLETOWN, CT. November 14, THE CHRISTIAN'S HERITAGE, ..... 287 BY REV. C. R. MOOR, PORTLAND, ME. ...... LIFE WHAT WE MAKE IT, November 28, MYSTERY NO REASON FOR DOUBT, . 317 BY REV. R. S. POPE, HYANNIS, MASS. December 5, THE CHRISTIAN LAW, BY REV. J. D. PEIRCE, NORTH ATTLEBORO', MASS. 334 BY REV. HENRY BACON, (late of) PHILADELPHIA, PA. December 26, - CHRIST ALL-OR NOTHING, BY REV. E. G. BROOKS, LYNN, MASS. 366 |