Præceps and Prudens, an Allegory-Its Application - Necessity of a Preparation to go forth into the Great Field of Action-Exam- ples-Excuses of some for their Incompetency to Labor effect- ually-Origin of the Proverb, "Preachers generally raise Bad .................................... An Appeal to Christians to cease their quarreling with each other, and unite their Forces in driving back the Powers of Darkness- Some Questions proposed to a Certain Class of Dignitaries who profess to be laboring for the Advancement of Christianity, but at the same Time are far from trying to enlighten the Minds of the People-The Reason why they wish to keep them in Igno- rance-Some of the Distinguishing Features between this Class of Benighted Professors and those who enjoy the Light and Lib- erty of the Gospel-The Necessity of Protestant Christians making use of the High Privileges which they enjoy, lest they be taken from them-The Duty of Protestants to pray for those A Brief Recapitulation of some of the Leading Objects observed in the Hasty Journey-The Reader called upon to consider their bearing-A Call upon Christian Ministers to lay aside their Preju- dices, and Labor for the Unity of the Church and for the Sal- vation of Souls-The Inconsistencies of some illustrated-An Appeal to the Reader-Every one something of Importance to perform-Necessity of attending to Small Duties--Momentous Consequences resulting from Small Acts; Anecdote illustrative THE PATENT HAT. PARTI. O THOU, great Shepherd of the souls of men, With which I would thy servants' pathway mark,- That if they all would daily watch and pray, Of those professing, from thy bounteous store, * 1 Cor. i, 21. † Rom. ii, 10. Not worldly, but celestial honors large, That preacher gains who guides aright his charge: That none might stray, and wolves might none devour, He says they should; and Nick, you know's no fool,- He's not so partial to an idle man, 'Tis true; but first he'll stop men, if he can, From doing good, and then, will, by degrees, Teach them to work for him: they learn with ease. What various ways he takes to gain his ends! And O, alas! how oft success attends ! * Matt. x, 16, and Eph. iv, 29. †The verb лоuaiva, used in John xxi, 16, means not only to feed, but to have a watchful care over the flock. |