ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following attempts at pulpit oratory may seem to require some excuse, as well as explanation, in being obtruded on the public eye. Such excuse, however, the author is not prepared to make, as no person is obliged to read what he does not like; the explanation is forthcoming.

They were preached, not by the regimental chaplain himself, (he being invalid at the time, and entirely disabled from exercising his function,) but by a younger brother, who had with much reluctance been induced to undertake a duty so peculiar and so arduous only the day before the delivery of his first address, which was written that night for the occasion. They were, indeed, for the most part, all written unavoidably in

haste, during the night, and under the painful excitement of contending impulses and checks; more especially, on the one hand, of an earnest desire to be generally useful; and, on the other, of the fear of giving offence to various parties, by transgressing the allotted lapse of about twenty minutes' time, to which the garrison regulations, or custom, limited the exertions of the preacher. The sermons ought, therefore, to be rather called sermon-essays, or attempts, on account of the abrupt, hurried, stinted, and unfinished character of their composition. They may, however, be not entirely without their use and acceptability to some of the author's reverend brethren, as their matter was considered so offensive at the time, particularly the FOURTH and the SEVENTH sermon-essays, as to require his services to be superseded.

He, on his part, was by no means offended with his military censors for their disapprobation; but, on the contrary, his Christian

regard for them remained undiminished, although he had reason both to smile and be sorry at the somewhat childish alarms and jealousy which even grown men and gallant gentlemen could entertain.

In proof of this, it is further requisite to state, that, notwithstanding he was thus excluded from the chapel-pulpit, yet has he both readily and repeatedly assisted his elder brother in those portions of his duty, whereat it was impossible that offence could be taken. Thus much having been premised concerning the external circumstances relating to these sermon-essays, it is incumbent to add some notice respecting their intrinsic matter and style.

The preacher, being apprehensive of the very consequences which did take place, thought proper, on the Monday following the delivery of his seventh address, to submit it to the perusal of a judicious and amiable friend, (not a clergyman,) whose opinion he

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was desirous to take; and, in compliance with his request for that opinion, the following satisfactory observations were afforded:

"Respecting the task you have assigned me, I feel so tremblingly alive to my own incompetency, that nothing but the assurance of your charitable indulgence would induce me to pen a line on the subject."-"I think you would have been to blame, had you resisted the desire of improving the late awful visitations; * and I pray that your sermon may be blessed. You have no need to be fearful; the Christian minister, however circumstanced, is required to do as he thinks right, and leave the consequences with God. And although the duty is not your own, do you not think that the Hand of Providence has had something to do in bringing you here? and therefore you should be encouraged to boldness, always avoiding to give unnecessary offence. Your office is an ho

* See Sermon-essay vii.

nourable, though an arduous one. What wisdom and steadiness does it require to speak the truth boldly and faithfully, yet tenderly, in the midst of a gainsaying world! What meekness and humility to endure all things, and to pass through evil and good report! Who is sufficient for these things? There is all-sufficiency in Christ Jesus! and you may also take refreshment and encouragement in this, that the arm of the Lord, seen by you or unseen, yet holds you, teacheth you, and is ever near you.

“I do not think that any one has a right to stop the Word of God in the mouth of his ministers. No man who is alive to the immense and amazing importance and responsibility of his office (that of winning souls to Christ) would either write or preach a sermon, which had not been previously the subject of much fervent and earnest supplication and prayer, that the LORD would condescend to speak by his mouth, and seal