Best Consolatory Songs for Sufferers,” Leipsic, 1789, 8vo.

That such collections are desirable would seem quite obvious. The sick and suffering are gen erally unable to listen or to read, with attention, for any length of time continuously. An adaptation, therefore, to their case will be found in the brevity of these lyrical productions. There is also a special adaptation to their case in suitable poetry, which, by its condensed and harmonious form of expression, arrests and tranquillizes the mind beyond any other mode of human address.

Most of the pieces in the following collection, it is presumed, are not familiarly known in this country. A few, however, have been inserted because of their familiarity, their acknowledged excellence, and particular adaptation to the design of this volume.

It will probably be found, that, so far as suited to lyrical purposes, the more usual and more important circumstances and spiritual necessities of the sick-room have been specifically remembered in this collection. A passage of Scripture,

entire or in part, is prefixed to each hymn, that the best of all comforters and instructors may be kept constantly in mind. The hope is entertained, that, where wearisome days and nights are appointed, this volume will, in numberless instances, answer the question, "Is there no balm. in Gilead? is there no Physician there?"

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS

ΤΟ

THE INVALID.

Of few days and full of trouble; such is an epitome of human life. You, my friend, are now ready to admit the truth of this. You are laboring under disease. Former activity has given place to confinement. Your situation is that of disappointment, irksomeness, and pain. A word of Christian interest cannot be unacceptable to you. As one who by experience is not wholly unacquainted with your case, let me suggest a few things.

You have been asking yourself in the retirement of this room, Why is it that I—why is it that man should be heir to so much suffering? Evidently and only because of so much sin. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. All suf

fering is penal. The pains you now undergo form a part of what is wrapped up in that comprehensive and ponderous word, "death." The

sickness and other evils incident to our fallen state are one mighty expression of God's displeasure at sin. Every pain endured by man since the apostasy has been a punitive messenger reminding how dreadful is human guilt. You will not understand me as intimating that retribution is limited to the present life. No, the transient paroxysm, and the intermittent burning now felt, are only precursors of the worm that dieth not, and the fire that is not quenched. Bear in mind, then, that one design of this sickness is to impress upon you the fact of universal sinfulness and the consequent curse, and of your participation in the same. Do you penitently admit your own sinfulness? Do you feel your utter moral helplessness? Do you see convincingly your need of an almighty Saviour? For thus saith the Lord, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up; thou hast no healing medicines. Will you not, then, cry to the great Physician, Lord Jesus, have mercy on me?

But it is also true, a present Providence has ordered your sickness. You have spoken of an