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however, would I make my closing appeal, not only in the spirit of the caution-" Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall," 1 Cor. x. 12, but also for the purpose of suggesting the inquiry—whether their present religious position is as available as it might be, for the glory of God and the salvation of men ;-whether talent, experience, property, influence, and the various endowments with which they are favoured, are all rendered as tributary to these purposes, as they might become; especially, whether the things in question are such as it will appear that they ought to have been made, when mortal life, after its scenes have finally passed away, shall become a subject of review before the throne of God and of the Lamb.

We have, at present, within our reach, spheres of usefulness, and appliances of holy labour, for the possession of which, Gabriel, if he might, would become incarnate. To contribute such glory to the cross, as we may bring, and such honour to the Saviour of the world, as we may render, is more than Heaven has yet allowed to angelic ministry. "The spirits of just men made perfect," "the glorious company of the apostles," "the goodly fellowship

of the prophets," and "the noble army of martyrs," would, for a while, relinquish their crowns and their thrones, to share such opportunities of benevolence as fall to the lot of the present generation. Peoples, nations, and languages, await our efforts; and the universe is looking on, to see whether we are the men for the times. India is open to our missions. The wall of China is a barrier no more. plains, the rivers, the forests of Africa, invite the daring of holy enterprise. Meanwhile,

The

every wind, that blows on Britain, bears the cry of perishing millions-" Come over, and help us." And, shall we hold back our property as too valuable,— -our sons and daughters as too precious, or shall we think our lives too dear, to be sacrificed in such a service? whole creation is waiting our reply.

The

Brethren! the time is short. The eye that reads this page, with the hand that wrote it, must return to dust. Mementos of our mortality are so numerous that to mention them would only serve to prove a fact which nobody denies. A little longer, and for us consumption, fever, apoplexy, and the various less frequent messengers of death, shall have done their work. A little longer, and for us the

mourners will "go about the streets." Whatsoever, therefore, our hand findeth to do, let us do it with our might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither we are going, Eccles. ix. 10.

If any deliverance is to be wrought in Israel, by our means, now is the time. Then, by the claims of redeeming love, by the groans of a dying world, by the joys of heaven, by the pains of hell,-yea, by the very dreams of at slumbering church, let us charge ourselves that we sleep not as do others, but watch till we hear the cry-"Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," Matt. xxv. 6.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24, 25.

Tyler & Reed, Printers, Bolt-court, Fleet-street.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Published by SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, and Co., Stationers'-
Hall Court, and sold by every Bookseller in
the United Kingdom.

Twelfth Thousand, price ls. 6d., cloth lettered.
DECAPOLIS;

OR, THE INDIVIDUAL OBLIGATION OF CHRIS-
TIANS TO SAVE SOULS FROM DEATH.

AN ESSAY, BY D. E. FORD.

Critical Notices from Reviews, &c.

"This Essay can scarcely be read without profit."-Watchman, September 23, 1840.

"We wish to introduce it to the favourable regard of all who would be zealous and useful Christians."-Revivalist, September, 1840.

"The book is plainly enough the work of a man in earnest; it is full of burning words,' and will, we trust, stir up not a few of the servants of Jesus Christ to go out quickly and work while it is called to day."-Evangelical Register, October, 1840.

"Mr. Ford has done good service to the church by publishing this Essay, which is eminently fitted to revive the spirit of primitive Christianity, unfettered by human systems and scholastic theology."-Evangelical Magazine, August, 1840.

"We thank Mr. Ford for his little book; it richly deserves a very extended circulation."-Patriot, August 27, 1840.

"We speak deliberately when we say that we do not know how to find terms that can adequately express the high estimation in which we hold the little volume before us. Its principles, reduced to practice, would speedily effect a mighty, a universal, and a glorious change."-Methodist New Connexion Magazine, September, 1841.

Christians would do well to consider the fervent and faithful representations of their responsibility and guilt which this startling appeal contains."-Scottish Congregational Magazine, November, 1840.

"He, who would lay up treasure in heaven, should make this one of his pocket companions, for it will teach him how to win souls' which, in that day,' may be his joy and crown."-Baptist Reporter, and Tract Magazine, September, 1843.

"It is nervously written."-Nonconformist, June 16, 1841. "It deserves to be read by every Christian."-Eclectic, November, 1840.

"It deserves to be read again and again, and the more it is read the greater will its value appear."-Orthodox Presbyterian Review, September, 1840.

"We have laid this work aside, not for a serious re-perusal merely, but for the purpose of frequent and solemn meditation on its statements and appeals. Let the members of our churches and our younger ministers do the same."-General Baptist Repository, February, 1841.

"Should a perusal of this Essay fail to produce a feeling of condemnation from a sense of past unprofitableness, and more earnest desires for greater usefulness, it will bespeak in the reader a state of heart most unenviable and deeply to be deplored."-Baptist Magazine, October, 1840.

"This little volume has already been instrumental of much good; and, being convinced that its extended circulation will be a blessing to the church, we strongly recommend it to all our ministers and members."-Wesleyan Methodist Association Magazine, March, 1841.

"We could wish to see it in the hands of every professing Christian throughout the kingdom. All will find, not only counsel for their guidance, but materials for most scrutinizing selfexamination."-Home Missionary Magazine, July, 1841.

"We earnestly recommend the rich to purchase largely for gratuitous distribution."-Christian Reformer, August 15, 1840. "We regard it as one of the most important publications of the day, and cannot refrain from expressing our fixed and solemn conviction that until the truths so faithfully expounded in this volume, are more generally and more prominently exhibited in the ministrations of the sanctuary, it is vain to expect an extensive revival of religion."-Christian Examiner, January, 1841.

"We are really delighted to see that 'DECAPOLIS' has already reached its second edition, and that it is exciting no small stir among Christians, both in town and country. The additions, extending to about fifteen pages, add greatly to the value of this truly excellent little volume."-Revivalist, January, 1841.

"A work which has been read by all classes of the community, and has been eminently blessed of God to the revival of pure and undefiled religion in various parts of the country."-Congregational Magazine, August, 1841.

"It has already had an extensive sale, and we have no doubt will speedily pass through many editions."-Kelso Chronicle, March 26, 1841.

"DECAPOLIS' has already received a large share of public approbation. Its sale has been rapid, but not more rapid than it deserves. We wish it a wider circulation still, and should be glad to know that it was in the hands of all our readers. Mr. Ford will reap a rich and ample reward of the highest and noblest good."-Northern Baptist, April, 1842.

"This work merits, and will receive, extensive circulation

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