TESTIMONIALS. FROM THE PRESIDENT OF YALE COLLEGE. "Allow me to express my decided approbation of the object and plan of the National Preacher. It has opened a new channel for the religious influence of the press. It gives a durable form to a selection of able discourses; and probably gains for them a more attentive perusal, by distributing them, not in volumes, but in smaller portions, at regular intervals of time. The execution, so far as I have observed, is such as to satisfy the public expectation." FROM THE AMERICAN BAPTIST. "We esteem this Sermon (CCIX) one of the most valuable in the very valuable series of Sermons which that Work has presented to the reading public within the last ten years; a Work which deserves to receive a larger share of public patronage than it has yet secured." FROM PROFESSORS IN PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. "The plan proposed by the Rev. Austin Dickinson, of publishing a Monthly Series of Sermons, from the pens of respectable Ministers of different denominations of Christians in the United States, is one which, in our opinion, may be rendered highly interesting and extensively useful. We do, therefore, willingly recommend the undertaking to the patronage of the Christian community." FROM THE PRESIDENT AND PROFESSORS OF AMHERST COLLEGE. "Mr. Dickinson has a clear and discriminating mind; and is himself at once an able writer and preacher. Having spent four years at the South and West, and become extensively acquainted with Ministers and Christians of different denominations; and having at the same time an intimate knowledge of the religious state and wants of New-England; perhaps no man is better qualified to make a powerful and salutary impression on the public mind, by combining (and in a sense directing) the talents of our most eminent divines in his Monthly Preacher. "Most sincerely do we wish him the co-operation of those whose name and influence may make the work a blessing to many thousands." FROM THE QUARTERLY CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR. "We do not hesitate to say, that Mr. Dickinson has adopted one of the hap piest expedients hitherto devised for eliciting that 'diversity of gifts' in the Christian ministry, which infinite wisdom and benevolence have bestowed for the edification of the body of Christ, and for bringing sinners to the foot of the cross." FROM THE NEW-YORK OBSERVER. "This periodical has, from its commencement in 1826, been regarded as a standard work; and, afforded as it is at the low price of one dollar a year, and sustained by some of the ablest writers of our country, we should expect it would continue to have an extensive and increasing circulation." AGENTS FOR THE NATIONAL PREACHER. The following persons will receive subscriptions for this publication, and will transmit to the publisher the names and payments of the subscribers. Agents are not expected to assume any responsibility in the distribution of the numbers. The National Preacher will, in all cases, be forwarded to subscribers by mail, unless special directions are given to the contrary. Albany, N. Y., G. J. LOOMIS. Pittsburgh, Pa. PATTERSON, INGRAM & Co. Providence, R. I. ISAAC WILCOX. Springfield, Mass. G.& C. MERRIAM. Norwich City, Conn. SAMUEL C. STARR. Individuals not named in the above list, who have voluntarily acted as Agents to procure subscribers in their immediate neighborhoods, are respectfully requested to continue their agency as their convenience may permit. POPULAR AND VALUABLE RELIGIOUS BOOKS, PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR, Theological and Sunday-School Bookseller, BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, NEW-YORK. Lily of the Valley. Thoughts on Religious Education and Early Piety. A New Tribute to the Memory of James Brainerd Advent, a Mystery: a Poem. By A. C. Cox. Memoir of Rev. E. P. Lovejoy. Sinners Bound to Change their own Hearts, a Ser- How to Change your Heart, a Sermon, by Rev. C. G. Death and Heaven, a Sermon, by Dr. Spring. J. S. T. has also a large and choice selection of Miscellaneous Works, suitable for Sunday School Libraries; together with Theological, Classical, Moral, and Religious Books, Stationary, &c. all of which he will sell at the lowest price. DEPOSITORY of the Publications of the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, together with a constant supply of the Fublications of the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, at the same price as sold at their respective Depositories. Orders from the country will be immediately attended to, and books forwarded according to directions. Should the selection of books for Sunday Schools be left with J. S. T. and he should forward any which would not suit the purchaser, they may be returned, and the money will be refunded, or other books given in exchange. Those wishing to purchase, are invited to call and examine his stock. Alao Agent for the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN TEMPERANCE UNION, I. The monthly numbers usually contain two Sermons. II. Price One Dollar, in advance, (or on receiving the first number) annually. Four copies, or volumes, for Three Dollars, in advance. III. Such as do not pay up arrearages, and give the Proprietor notice of a desire to discontinue taking the work, are responsible for payment while it is sent, and on commencing a new volume are responsible for its twelve numbers. New Subscribers may commence with any number they choose,'on advancing payment for a year. An elegant Portrait of President EDWARDS accompanies the January Number. Postmasters are authorized to forward payments to the Proprietor, at his risk; to them receipts will be returned, to be shown to Subscribers. No mode of conveyance is found more safe than the mail. Correspondents will be careful in naming the individuals to whom credit is to be given, and the Post Office and State to which the work is to be sent. Letters may be directed, post-paid, to the Proprietor, DARIUS MEAD, { Office of the National Preacher, 150 Nassau-street, New-York. PROSPECTUS. It will be the habitual endeavor of the Editor, in this work, to present such Sermons, on all important subjects of Gospel doctrine and practice, as may tend to honor the great Redeemer and save immortal souls. We have been cheered with constant assurances of its usefulness; and if those who read and appreciate, will make it known to others, and encourage its circulation, its influence may widen and extend so long as the Gospel is preached. Upwards of sixty Clergymen, of five Christian denominations, and belonging to sixteen different States, most of whom are well known to the public as authors, have allowed the Editor to expect from them Sermons for this work. NOTICE. The numbers of the National Preacher for the current year are stereotyped, and any or all of the numbers may be had in any quantity, at a reduced price, by those who may wish them for gratuitous circulation. It will instantly occur to you that these words are connected with the parable of the great supper. A certain man who had made a feast, sent his servant, at the proper time, to invite the guests. But instead of accepting the invitation, they had both the incivility and the ingratitude to send back excuses which the master of the feast saw at once were occasioned by gross insincerity. He was angry at their conduct, and not without good reason; and straightway sent out his servant again, and directed him to bring in the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind. The servant having complied with his lord's command, returns to report his obedience, and at the same time makes the declaration : "And yet there is room.”—The children of want and wretchedness to whom thou didst send me, I have collected agreeably to thine orders; but there are seats yet unoccupied, there are accommodations for a still greater number of guests. The The explanation of this parable is easy. The great supper represents that provision which is made in the gospel to supply the spiritual wants of men. The man who made the supper represents the Lord Jesus Christ. The invitation to the supper by the servant, represents the offer of salvation to the Jews by the Apostles. rejection of the invitation denotes the rejection of the gospel offer, especially by the Pharisees, and higher classes of the Jews. The poor, the halt, and the blind, to whom the second invitation is addressed, may represent publicans, and others who were despised for the meanness of their occupation or character. All this, however, has a more general meaning, and may very properly be considered as illustrating the free grace of the gospel, and the treatment which the gospel receives in every age. "And yet there is room." It is an encoura6 Vol. XII. No. 6. |