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The Ministry: The Apostolical Succession: |
THE following sermons were written and preached more than a year ago in the discharge of parochial duty, and without any expectation or intention of their publication. They make no pretensions to literary merit and no such distinction is claimed for them. Composed literally "currente calamo," they are given to the public, just as they were preached, with the exception of two or three additional quotations in the first of the series, the notes and the appendix.
The writer has no expectation that these discourses will prove palatable to the great majority in this country "who call themselves Christians." Yet he is not without hope that their facts, statements and arguments, if duly weighed, will lead to further examination on the part of those who are concerned "to know the truth." "And if for necessary truth's sake only, any man will be offended, nay take, nay snatch at that offence which is not given, I know no offence for that. 'Tis truth and. I must tell it; 'tis the Gospel, and I must preach it. And far safer it is in this case to hear anger from men than a woe from God."
Columbia, July 1, 1843.