BY THE REV. ALBERT BARNES, OF AMERICA, AUTHOR OF COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT, JOB, ISAIAH, AND DANIEL, &c., &c. EDITED BY THE REV. A. WESTON, AUTHOR OF PULPIT AIDS, AND EDITOR OF HANNAM'S PULPIT ASSISTANT, &C. COPYRIGHT RESERVED. LONDON: WILLIAM TEG G. 100. S. 107. INTRODUCTION. "WATCHMAN, what of the night? watchman, what of the night?" was the question of a taunting Edomite, thousands of years ago, to one of the Jewish watchmen; and the reply given was, "The night cometh, and also the morning," as though he had said, "There is yet a long dark night of Jewish captivity; but beyond the darkness I see the first streak of morning." Since that utterance, that patch of light has dawned in full day. And just as the tide comes in small ripples, and seems to retire, but comes on again and again, gaining by small degrees, slowly, but surely, and, despite all opposition, creeps over crevice, sandhill, and jutting rock, pausing not till it has triumphantly touched high-water mark; just so has Christianity gained upon the world, imperceptibly it may be; and at times it seems, like the wave, to retire, but it is only to gain new strength. It will never pause till it has won the final triumph. Already the morning cometh; the streak of grey is fast turning into golden day. We are evidently on the eve of mighty changes,-in a transition state; a new era is dawning; old hoary institutions are shaking to their very centre. The tide of spiritual life is rising; it is among us, around us, disjointing and altering the shape of things; and men scarcely know how to adapt themselves, and shape their work, to the altered times. Still, to the far-seeing seer, everything is full of hope, and tinged with brightness. Men are earnest, earnest in error as well as in truth. The very air is full of mystery and whisperings; we listen, and above the din of the world we hear the noise of the mustering forces, the faint clash of arms; everything por tends a mighty coming struggle. But if there be any truth in the history of the past, the signs of the times, the promise of God, no doubt is left on which side shall be heard the long, loud, final shout of victory. Albert Barnes is one of the noble champions of Christianity, a man for the times. His Commentaries are widely read on both sides of the Atlantic; they have gone forth by many publishers, in many editions, and in number tens of thousands. The name of Albert Barnes is a name the world will not let die. The Sermons composing this volume were first published in America. They are rich in matter, striking in illustration, beautiful in style, powerful in appeal. They should be, 1. Studied by ministers of the Gospel,-for style and specimens of preaching eminently fitted for the times in which we live. 2. Read by private Christians. No Christian can prayerfully read this volume without being quickened, excited, stimulated to seize life's short hour, that he may strive for a higher life, and make all haste to save the souls of men. 3. Put into the hands of the unconverted. We do not remember to have met with any sermons equal to them in close reasoning, powerful appeals, and in every way so adapted to awaken the conscience, and lead the sinner to God. If we are not greatly at fault in our judgment, this is one of the books that will live. We cast this precious seed upon the waters. May it be instrumental in the salvation of thousands of souls! May its influence be like the circle on the waters, widening and widening, till it shall sweep the very shores of eternity! A. W. CONTENTS. THE PLACE AND IMPORTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL. "But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you."--1 Cor. xii. 20, 21. "I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her 1 21 39 'Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness let the earth open, and let them bring forth salva- tion, and let righteousness spring up together."-Isaiah xlv. 8.... 56 THE IMPORTANCE OF REVIVALS IN CITIES. "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His 80 |