Hope Messages for Quarantine

John Ross Macduff (23 May 1818-30 April 1895) was a Scottish divine and a prolific author of religious essays. He published many practical and devotional works, which attained a wide circulation. Born on his father's estate of Bonhard, Scone, Perthshire, Macduff was the second of the six sons of Captain Alexander Macduff of Bonhard and Springfield and Margaret Catherine Ross, youngest daughter of John Ross of Balgersho. Macduff was educated at the High School of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, and was ordained as minister of Kettins, a parish in Forfarshire close to his maternal grandfather's estate, in 1843. He was transmitted to St Madoes, a parish in Perthshire centered on the Pitfour estate, owned by his mother's cousin, Sir John Stewart-Richardson, in 1849. He left St Madoes to take charge of Sandyford, a new church in the affluent west end of Glasgow in 1855. He was married in 1844 to Anne Joan Seton, who died in 1846, and in 1849 to Louisa Stephen, who died in 1888. By Anne Seton, he had a son, Alexander Ross Macduff (1845—1857) and by Louisa Stephen he had a daughter, Anne Seton Macduff (1850—1929), who edited his later works, including his autobiography, "The Author of Morning and Night Watches". In 1857, whilst in Glasgow, he was, appointed by the General Assembly a member of their Hymnal Committee. His 31 hymns appeared in his Altar Stones, 1853, and were also, included with his later poems in his The Gates of Praise, 1876. His hymn, "Christ is Coming, let Creation" is still included in the Church of Scotland's Church Hymnary 4.

“A Divided Heart” is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by one of the most important Christian writers of all time. A devotional message of faith and hope for you. Charles Haddon (CH) Spurgeon,19 June 1834-31 January 1892) was a British Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day. It is estimated that in his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people, Spurgeon was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He was part of several controversies with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and later had to leave the denomination. In 1867, he started a charity organisation which is now called Spurgeon's and works globally. He also founded Spurgeon's College, which was named after him posthumously. Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works including sermons, an autobiography, commentaries, books on prayer, devotionals, magazines, poetry, hymns and more. Many sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated into many languages during his lifetime. Spurgeon produced powerful sermons of penetrating thought and precise exposition. His oratory skills held his listeners spellbound in the Metropolitan Tabernacle and many Christians have discovered Spurgeon's messages to be among the best in Christian literature.

Joyful Transformation is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by one of the most important Christian writers of all time. A devotional message of faith and hope for you.

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This blessing text seeks to bring comfort and peace to Christians in this 31-day devotional text. A daily message with texts from the Holy Bible talking about themes about faith, divine love, prayer, and Christian life. A book that will bring you spiritual comfort and renewal of faith and will awaken in your heart a communion with God. Have a moment of meditation on the Word of God every day

One, and the chief, design of this volume is to exhibit and illustrate the practical character of our Lord's emotional nature thus linking Him in closer and more personal actuality with our circumstances. Every endeavor to bring into more proximate communion the personality of Christ, and the individuality of the Christian, cannot fail, however imperfect the execution, to promote the holiest interests of experimental Christianity. Much that passes for sympathy, and is really so, as commonly understood, is deficient in this one essential element, and needs to be remodeled. There is poetry and there is beauty in real sympathy; but there is more there is action. True sympathy may exist impotent to aid, we concede, and its silent expression may not, in some instances, be the less grateful and soothing; but the noblest and most powerful form of sympathy is not merely the responsive tear, the echoed sigh, the answering look it is the embodiment of the sentiment in actual help. It identifies itself with the object of its commiseration so personally and so closely as to realize the apostle's beautiful idea of true sympathy "Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." This was preeminently the character of Christ's compassion when on earth. He was willing Himself to wear the chain He came to loose, to share the sorrow He came to soothe; and the remembrance that He was likewise "in the body" constantly forced itself upon His mind, imparting to His deep sensibility and tender compassion the power and the luster of an actual and personal participation in the calamities He repaired, the needs He met, and the griefs He assuaged. Thus, from His practical sympathy, who is the Great Teacher of the Church, and the "Consolation of Israel," may we derive lessons of holy instruction, and streams of the richest comfort. To aid this object, the present volume is, with diffidence, offered to the Christian Church. Composed under the pressure of important ministerial, extended pastoral, and continuous public labor, it necessarily partakes of the imperfections of a work thus written, and often at a season when the jaded powers, both of mind and body, demanded the restorative of sleep. But if the "lame take the prey," the author may humbly hope that this lowly attempt to present the Savior more vividly to the personal realization of the reader, and thus render Him more loved and precious, and His example more closely studied and imitated, will not be without acceptance and blessing to the one Church of God, the sorrowing, suffering Body of a Divine and sympathizing Head. The Triune Jehovah bless the work, and to the Sacred Three in One shall be the glory! Amen.

"The whole family in Heaven and earth." Ephesians 3:15 Reader, Look at the words which form the title of this tract, and ponder them well. They are words which ought to stir some feelings in our minds at any time, and especially at Christmas. There lives not the man or woman on earth, who is not a member of some "family." The poorest as well as the richest, has his kith and kin, and can tell you something of "his family." Family gatherings at Christmas, we all know, are very common. Thousands of firesides are crowded then, if at no other time of the year. The young man in town snatches a few days from business and takes a run down to "the old folks at home." The young woman gets a short holiday, and comes to visit her father and mother. Brothers and sisters meet for a few hours. Parents and children look one another in the face. How much there is to talk about! How many questions to be asked! How many interesting things to be told! Happy indeed is that fireside which sees gathered round it at Christmas, "the whole family!" Family gatherings at Christmas are natural, and right, and good. I approve them with all my heart. It does me good to see them kept up. They are one of the very few pleasant things which have survived the fall of man. Next to the grace of God, I see no principle which unites people so much in this sinful world as family feeling. Community of blood is a most powerful tie. I have often observed that people will stand up for their relations, merely because they are their relations and refuse to hear a word against them even when they have no sympathy with their tastes and ways. Anything which helps to keep up family feeling ought to be commended. It is a wise thing, when it can be done, to gather together at Christmas "the whole family." Family gatherings, nevertheless, are often sorrowful things. It would be strange indeed, in such a world as this, if they were not. Few are the family circles which do not show gaps and vacant places as years pass away. Changes and deaths make sad havoc as time goes on. Thoughts will rise up within us, as we grow older, about faces and voices no longer with us, which no Christmas merriment can entirely keep down. When the younger members of the family have once begun to shift for themselves and launch forth into the world the old heads may long survive the scattering of the nest. But after a certain time, it seldom happens that you see together "the whole family."

When this sermon was preached, the average listener had a considerably greater attention span than his modern counterpart. The reader may therefore be daunted by the length of the sermon. I had considered abridging it, but finally decided not to. Some readers will also complain that it gets off to a slow start. This is standard for an extended speech in any context. An experienced speaker intending to speak at length will give his audience a minute or so to settle down into listening mode before he says anything essential, anything that they must hear if they are not to miss the whole point of the speech. And those who stick with him will find that the pace does pick up after the first page. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain. Rev. 5:5-6.

One meets few unworried people. Most faces bear lines of care. Men go anxious to their day's duties, rush through the hours with feverish speed, and bring a hot brain and tumultuous pulse home at night for restless, unrefreshing sleep. This is not only most unsatisfactory but is also a most costly mode of living. Worry exhausts vitality. True, all good in life costs. Virtue goes out of us in everything we do that is worth doing. The ideal theory of life is, therefore, work without worry. At least, this certainly ought to be the ideal for a Christian. We have an express command not to be anxious about anything. Our whole duty is to do the will of God and leave in his hands the outworking of circumstances, the shaping and overhauling of all the complicated network of influences, so as to bring about the right results. The working plan for a Christian life is clearly laid down in our Lord's words: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." "Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." This ideal leaves no place whatever for worry. This is all the human part. Then God will look after the outcome; will take care of us and of the results of our acts. It is the function of faith, when we have done what we can, to put all into the divine hands, giving ourselves no anxiety, while we go forward in peace and confidence to the next duty that awaits. This book has a message of faith and comfort for your soul.

Let Us Pray is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by one of the most important Christian writers of all time. A devotional message of faith and hope for you.

Our Father in Heaven never intended that we, who are his children by regeneration, should live anything else than a life of perfect obedience and trust, for we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. This means more to us than we may at first realize. In his explanation of the miracle of Pentecost, Peter said (Acts 2:33): "Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now hear and see." Since therefore upon our head, Jesus Christ, God hath poured for the Holy Ghost, whatsoever the head has received is in trust for the body, and we are the body of Christ and members in particular. All that the head has obtained, I may claim. A life of unrest dishonors Him, for He said in Matthew 11:28, 29: "Come onto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." He surely must be grieved If we have disregarded His promise. A life devoid of peace discredits His word, for He said (John 14:27): "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Peace is just the opposite of unrest, and no child of God ought to be without it, for it is his birthright in Christ.

A Happy Old Age is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Ashton Oxenden (20 September 1808 — 22 February 1892) was Bishop of Montreal. Born 20 September 1808, at Broome Park, Kent, he was the fifth son of Sir Henry Oxenden (1756—1838), 7th Baronet Oxenden, of Broome Park; Commissioner of Dover Harbour. His mother, Mary, was the daughter of Colonel John Graham (1723—1789), of St. Lawrence House, near Canterbury; former Lieutenant governor of Georgia. Educated at Ramsgate and at Harrow School, Oxenden matriculated from University College, Oxford, on 9 June 1826; graduated B.A. 1831, M.A. 1859, and was created D.D. 10 July 1869. In December 1833, he was ordained to the curacy of Barham, Kent, where he introduced weekly cottage lectures. In 1838, he resigned his charge, and during the following seven years was incapacitated for work by continuous ill-health. From 1849 to 1869 he was rector of Pluckley with Pevington, Kent, and in 1864 was made an honorary canon of Canterbury Cathedral. At Pluckley he first commenced extemporaneous preaching, and wrote the Barham Tracts. In 1864, Oxenden married, on 14 June, Sarah (b. 1828), daughter of Joseph Hoare Bradshaw (1784—1845), a London banker and a grandson of Samuel Hoare. The couple would have a daughter, Mary Ashton Oxenden, who married in 1891 Charles John Wood (1862—1902), the youngest son of Lt.-General Thomas Wood (1804—1872) M.P., of Gwernyfed Park, Breconshire.

Editor's note: This is the best devotional commentary on the book of Ecclesiastes that we have ever, come across! In each verse, which he comments on, George Mylne, first views the verse just as Solomon intended from the perspective of mere human wisdom. That is, the book of Ecclesiastes is simply God's record of the rational conclusions of the wisest and most experienced man, who ever lived. In other words, Solomon seriously thought upon all of life, the world and everything in it and concluded that all are puzzling enigmas, emptiness, vanity, meaningless, purposeless, futile, hopeless, vexatious, unsatisfying, unjust, etc., etc. Secondly, Mylne then views each verse from the Christian perspective that is, through the lens of the cross of Jesus. From this perspective, all the enigmas are, solved, all the meaninglessness and futility of life is, removed, and all the injustices are rectified. Only through the cross, does life become meaningful, purposeful and satisfying!

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It has been said by a divine of the seventeenth century, in reference to the portion of the divine word of which this work is an exposition: "Search all the Scripture, you will not find any one chapter into which more excellent, sublime, and evangelical truths are crowded! The Bible is the book of books, and this chapter may be styled the chapter of chapters! From first to last it is high gospel, all gospel, it is the summation and storehouse of all the saints' privileges and duties. You have in it the love of God and of Christ shining forth in its greatest splendor. Blessed be God for every part of Holy Writ but specially blessed be God for this eighth chapter to the Romans!" The sentiments here expressed have found an echo in many a believer's heart. There is no class or character for whom it does not contain something suitable, but it is pre-eminently adapted to the various circumstances and conditions in which true Christians are found.

“A Call to The Holy Living” is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by one of the most important Christian writers of all time. A devotional message of faith and hope for you. Charles Haddon (CH) Spurgeon,19 June 1834-31 January 1892) was a British Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day. It is estimated that in his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people, Spurgeon was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He was part of several controversies with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and later had to leave the denomination. In 1867, he started a charity organisation which is now called Spurgeon's and works globally. He also founded Spurgeon's College, which was named after him posthumously. Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works including sermons, an autobiography, commentaries, books on prayer, devotionals, magazines, poetry, hymns and more. Many sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated into many languages during his lifetime. Spurgeon produced powerful sermons of penetrating thought and precise exposition. His oratory skills held his listeners spellbound in the Metropolitan Tabernacle and many Christians have discovered Spurgeon's messages to be among the best in Christian literature.

No Tears In Heaven is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by one of the most important Christian writers of all time. A devotional message of faith and hope for you. Charles Haddon (CH) Spurgeon, June 19, 1834-January 13, 1892) was a British Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is, known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day. It is, estimated that in his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people, Spurgeon was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He was part of several controversies with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and later had to leave the denomination. In 1867, he started a charity organization, which is now called Spurgeon's and works globally. He also founded Spurgeon's College, which was, named after him posthumously. Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works including sermons, an autobiography, commentaries, books on prayer, devotionals, magazines, poetry, hymns and more. Many sermons were, transcribed as he spoke and were, translated into many languages, during his lifetime. Spurgeon produced powerful sermons of penetrating thought and precise exposition. His oratory skills held his listeners spellbound in the Metropolitan Tabernacle and many Christians have discovered Spurgeon's messages to be among the best in Christian literature.

Praying in the Holy Spirit is one important bible study about the prayer. A book that will bring growth and knowledge about prayer and invite him to live with greater intimacy with God. Written by Charles Spurgeon, important preacher Christian. Many sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated into many languages during his lifetime. Spurgeon produced powerful sermons of penetrating thought and precise exposition. His oratory skills held his listeners spellbound in the Metropolitan Tabernacle and many Christians have discovered Spurgeon's messages to be among the best in Christian literature.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You." Isaiah 26:3 "Perfect Peace!" That is what we all want. That, too, is what Christ offers us in his gospel. Among his farewell words, we find this bequest: "Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you." After his return from the grave, he said to his disciples, three times repeating the same benediction, "Peace be unto you." Peace is thus part of the blessed evangel, and an essential element of the true and full Christian life. Christ desires us to have peace. If we do not have it, we have missed part of the blessing of being a Christian, part of our inheritance as children of God. It is not a peculiar privilege, which is only for a favored few, it is for everyone who believes in Christ and will accept it. In this blessed text, you will find the path of the Peace of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Christopher Newman Hall LLB (May 22, 1816-February 18. 1902), born at Maidstone and known in later life, as a 'Dissenter's Bishop', was one of the most celebrated nineteenth century English Nonconformist divines. He was active in social causes; supporting Abraham Lincoln and abolition of slavery during the American Civil War, the Chartist cause, and arranging for influential Nonconformists to meet Gladstone. Come to Jesus, first published in 1848 also contributed to his becoming a household name throughout Britain, the USA and further afield, by the end of the century the book had been, translated into about forty languages and sold four million copies worldwide.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!" 1 Corinthians 13:13 "The end of the commandment is love." 1 Timothy 1:5 Love is rightly called "the Queen of Christian graces." It is a grace which all people profess to admire. It seems a plain practical thing which everybody can understand. It is none of "those troublesome doctrinal points" about which Christians are disagreed. Thousands, I suspect, would not be ashamed to tell you that they knew nothing about justification or regeneration, about the work of Christ or the Holy Spirit. But nobody, I believe, would like to say that he knew nothing about "love!" If men possess nothing else in religion, they always flatter themselves that they possess "love." A few plain thoughts about love may not be without use. There are false notions abroad about it which require to be dispelled. There are mistakes about it which require to be rectified. In my admiration of love, I yield to none. But I am bold to say that in many minds, the whole subject seems completely misunderstood. I. Let me show, firstly, the place which the Bible gives to love. II. Let me show, secondly, what the love of the Bible really is. III. Let me show, thirdly, where true love comes from. IV. Let me show, lastly, why love is "the greatest" of the graces. I ask the best attention of my readers to the subject. My heart's desire and prayer to God is, that the growth of love may be promoted in this sin-burdened world. In nothing does the fallen condition of man show itself so strongly, as in the scarcity of Christian love. There is little faith on earth, little hope, little knowledge of Divine things. But nothing, after all, is so scarce as real love!

“Walking With Jesus” is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Mary Winslow

Are you happy? is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 — 10 June 1900) was an English evangelical Anglican bishop. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.

JESUS, THE BEST FRIEND! J.C. Ryle, 1878 "Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my FRIEND!" Song of Solomon 5:16 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say: Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a FRIEND of tax collectors and sinners!" Luke 7:34 A friend is one of the greatest blessings on earth. Tell me not of money love is better than gold, sympathy is better than lands. He is the poor man who has no friends! This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it, is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys! A real friend is scarce and rare. There are many who will eat, and drink, and laugh with us in the sunshine of prosperity. There are few who will stand by us in the days of darkness few who will love us when we are sick, helpless, and poor few, above all, who will care for our souls! Does any reader of this paper want a real friend? I write to recommend one to your notice this day. I know of One "who sticks closer than a brother!" (Proverbs 18:24) I know of One who is ready to be your friend for time and for eternity, if you will receive Him. Hear me, while I try to tell you something about Him. The friend I want you to know is Jesus Christ. Happy is that family in which Christ has the foremost place! Happy is that person whose chief friend is Christ!

The Glory Of The Redeemer is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Octavius Winslow (1 August 1808-5 March 1878), also known as "The Pilgrim's Companion", was a prominent 19th-century evangelical preacher in England and America. A Baptist minister for most of his life and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon and J. C. Ryle, he seceded to the Anglican church in his last decade. Octavius's mother, Mary Forbes (1774-1854) had Scottish roots but was born and raised in Bermuda and was the only child of Dr. and Mrs. George Forbes. On 6 September 1791, when she was just 17, she married Army Lieutenant Thomas Winslow of the 47th Regiment. Shortly after this, she came under spiritual convictions and was brought to gospel deliverance, while pleading the promise, "Ask, and ye shall receive" Mary and Thomas Winslow went on to live in England and Octavius was born in Pentonville, a village near London, on 1 August 1808. He was the eighth of 13 children. Those children recorded in the family bible of Robert Winslow, brother of Octavius, are: • Thomas Forbes (1795) • Isaac Deblois (1799) • Edward (1801) • George Erving (1804) • Henry James (1806) • Robert Forbes (1807) • Octavius (1808, • Forbes (1810) • Emma (1813) • Mary (1814) Thomas and Mary had three children, who died before their first birthday. They are: • Mary (1814) • Robert Deblois (1798) • Mary Elizabeth (1803). Octavius seems to have been, given his name because he was then the eighth surviving child. As a child, Octavius and family would worship at Pentonville Chapel under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Sheppard. During this time of his life, he suffered from what seemed to be a life-threatening illness. While staying in Twickenham, a nurse accidentally administered an incorrect medicine that doctors would later say would have killed ten men. Octavius's father was from a wealthy family but by 1815, following his retirement from the army, he suffered ill health and the loss of his fortune due to one of several national financial disasters that occurred in this period. A decision was soon, made to move to America, but before Mr. Winslow could join his wife and children in New York, he died. At the same time, their youngest child died too. Octavius was but 7-years-old.

The Essentials of Prayer is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Edward McKendree Bounds (August 15, 1835 — August 24, 1913) prominently known as E.M. Bounds.

Family Prayers is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by John Ross Macduff (23 May 1818-30 April 1895) was a Scottish divine and a prolific author of religious essays. He published many practical and devotional works, which attained a wide circulation.

Octavius Winslow (1 August 1808-5 March 1878), also known as "The Pilgrim's Companion", was a prominent 19th-century evangelical preacher in England and America. A Baptist minister for most of his life and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon and J. C. Ryle, he seceded to the Anglican church in his last decade. Octavius's mother, Mary Forbes (1774-1854) had Scottish roots but was born and raised in Bermuda and was the only child of Dr. and Mrs. George Forbes. On 6 September 1791, when she was just 17, she married Army Lieutenant Thomas Winslow of the 47th Regiment. Shortly after this, she came under spiritual convictions and was brought to gospel deliverance, while pleading the promise, "Ask, and ye shall receive"

A slight glance at the contents of this volume will convey an idea of its character and design. It is intended to be, not so much a systematic treatise of theology, as the companion, in his hours of devotional, meditative retirement, of the experienced and spiritual Christian. The truths which it contains, and the style in which they are presented, are perhaps more adapted to those peculiar seasons in the Christian experience of the believer, in which profound discussion and labored thought would not only be distasteful, but out of place. Bearing with him the volume in his sequestered walks with God, or making it the sharer of his temporary seclusion from the active engagements of life, the "precious things of God" which it unfolds may serve to shed the perfume and the luster of Jesus' name and work around his lone and pensive path cheering solitude, soothing grief, and dissolving doubt, depression, and gloom. Many and costly are the precious things of God not enumerated in this work; blessed are they who, from the volume of their personal and spiritual experience, can complete the catalogue, and supply the Author's lack. These pages address themselves pointedly and strongly to that essential principle of vital religionthe experimental. We really know as much of the gospel of Christ, and of the Christ of the gospel, as by the power of the Holy Spirit we have the experience of it in our souls. All other acquaintance with Divine truth must be regarded as merely intellectual, theoretical, speculative, and of little worth. But, to apprehend, in some measure, the value, the glory, and the preciousness of the Lord Jesus, and, as a consequence, to esteem Him above all good, to reflect His image, to labor in His service, and to be found preparing and waiting for the happy moment described with such exquisite beauty by Doddridge, and as he only could portray it, "That blessed interview, how sweet! To fall transported at His feet; Raised in His arms, to see His face Through the full beamings of His grace!"this, this is spiritual LIFE. And, compared with the heart-experience of this, when we take a close, realizing survey of eternity, all other subjects of study and employments of time appear but solemn trifling with our destiny. The Author regrets, that to the discussion of themes so transcendently important and precious he should have brought so much human feebleness and infirmity. His work, planned amid the happy tranquility and repose of a long and warmly-attached pastorate, and finished amid the scenes of anxiety, excitement, and toil incident to a new and more extended sphere of ministerial labor, has necessarily been exposed to much that was unfavorable to that matured thought, careful composition, and literary finish which he considers efforts of this kind should possess. His hope, however, is, that, imperfect as is his production, the Divine Spirit may yet deign to bless it to the saving of precious souls, give it acceptance with the Church of Christ, and use it for the advancement of the cause of God and truth in the world,and the glory shall be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, three Persons in the One God, world without end. Amen.

The Passion Of Christ is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Thomas Adams (1583—1652 was an English clergyman and reputed preacher. He was, called "The Shakespeare of the Puritans" by Robert Southey; while he was a Calvinist in theology, he is not, however, accurately described as a Puritan. He was for a time at Willington, Bedfordshire, and his works may later have been, read by John Bunyan. Much of the information about Adams comes from title pages and dedications in his works. He was educated at the University of Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1601 and M.A. in 1606. Ordained in 1604, he was a curate at Northill in Bedfordshire, a position he lost. By 1611, he was vicar of Willington. On 21 December 1614, he became vicar of Wingrave, Buckinghamshire, a position he held until 1618. From 1618 to 1623, he held the preachership of St Gregory by St Paul's, and during the same period preached occasionally at St. Paul's Cross and Whitehall. He was 'observant chaplain' to Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester, lord chief justice of England. Incidental references show that he was on intimate terms with William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke and Lord Ellesmere. Montagu was a dedicatee, as was Sir Henry Marten. He was, buried on 26 November 1652. Early sermons were Heaven and Earth Reconciled, and The Devil's Banquet. To Montagu he dedicated a work in 1618. In 1629, he collected into a massive folio his occasional sermons, a collection he dedicated to the parishioners of St Benet Paul's Wharf, and to the Lords Pembroke and Manchester. In 1638 appeared a long Commentary on the Second Epistle of St. Peter, dedicated to "Sir Henrie Marten, Knt."

"Grace and Truth!" Magnificent and expressive words! Let not the Christian reader unfold these, pages with the extravagant expectation of finding within them anything approaching to a consecutive and elaborate treatise upon these vast and lofty themes. They have no pretension of this kind. He will be disappointed, looking for this, in meeting with familiar, simple, and unconnected illustrations only, of these great subjects; not, however, the author trusts, the less important, precious, or sanctifying. What is Grace? It is the heart of God overflowing His free mercy in Christ to fallen man, coursing its benignant way through our lost world, and outmeasuring the ravages and the triumphs of sin. For, "where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound." What is Truth? Momentous question! The anxious inquiry of every age, of every Church, of every lip. Pilate knows it now. And, he might have known it when the question first fell from his trembling lips for ETERNAL and ESSENTIAL TRUTH stood as a criminal at his bar! But, summon the witnesses, and they shall testify what is truth. Ask the devils who beheld His miracles and quailed beneath His power, and they will, answer "It is Jesus, the Son of God Most High." Ask the angels who beheld His advent and announced His birth, and they will answer, "It is the Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Ask His enemies who nailed Him to the tree, and they will answer, "Truly it is the Son of God!" Ask His disciples who were admitted to His confidence, and who leaned upon His bosom, and they will answer, "We believe and are sure that it is Christ, the Son of the living God." Ask the Father, testifying from the 'secret place of thunder,' and He will answer, "It is my beloved Son, in whom, I am well pleased." Summon witnesses from the inanimate world. Ask the water blushing into wine ask the sea calmed by a word ask the earth trembling upon its axis ask the rocks rent asunder ask the sun veiled in darkness ask the heavens robed in mourning ask all nature agonized and convulsed, as He hung upon the tree and all, as with one voice, will exclaim Jesus is TRUTH. Happy are they, who, through the teaching of the Holy Spirit, receive Jesus into their hearts, as the truth believe in Him as the truth walk in Him as the truth, and who, under the sanctifying influence of the truth, are employing their holiest energies in making Him known to others as "the way, the truth, and the life" thus, like their Lord, "bearing witness unto the truth."

Secret Prayer is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Hannah More (2 February 1745-7 September 1833) was an English religious writer and philanthropist, remembered as a poet and playwright in the circle of Johnson, Reynolds and Garrick, as a writer on moral and religious subjects, and as a practical philanthropist. Born in Bristol, she taught at a school established there by her father and began writing plays. She became involved with the London literary elite as a leading Bluestocking member. Her plays and poetry became more evangelical and she joined a group campaigning against the slave trade. In the 1790s, she wrote several Cheap Repository Tracts on moral, religious and political topics, for distribution to the literate poor. Meanwhile, she did increasing philanthropic work in the Mendip area, encouraged by William Wilberforce. Born in 1745 at Fishponds in the parish of Stapleton, near Bristol, Hannah More was the fourth of five daughters of Jacob More (1700-1783), a schoolmaster originally from Harleston, Norfolk. He was, from a strong Presbyterian family in Norfolk, but had become a member of the Church of England, and originally intended to pursue a career in the Church, but after the disappointment of losing a lawsuit, over an estate he had hoped to inherit, he moved to Bristol, where he, became an excise officer and was later, appointed to teach at the Fishponds free school. They were a close family and the sisters were first, educated by their father, learning Latin and mathematics: Hannah was also, taught by her elder sisters, through whom she learned French. Her conversational French was, improved by spending time with French prisoners of war in Frenchay during the Seven Years' War. She was keen to learn and possessed, a sharp intellect she was, assiduous in studying, and according to family tradition, began writing at an early age. In 1758, Jacob established his own girls' boarding school at Trinity Street in Bristol for the elder sisters, Mary and Elizabeth to run, while he and his wife moved to Stony Hill in the city to open a school for boys. Hannah More became a pupil, when she was twelve years old, and taught at the school in her early adulthood.