PREFACE. THE unprecedented patronage which the MORNING DEVOTIONS, and the CONTEMPLATIOns on the suffERINGS OF CHRIST by STURM, have deservedly received from every class of readers, and their consequent incorporation with the Standard Literature of this country, has operated as a flattering encouragement to the publisher of the above mentioned works, to present to the public, a translation of the EVENING Devotions, for EVERY DAY in the year, by the same inspired Writer. To descant upon the merits of Sturm as a pious and moral Author, would, with the knowledge which we now possess of his works, be superfluous; it will, therefore, be merely necessary to state, that in the EVENING DEVOTIONS will be found the same tone of holy and pious feeling, the same purity and delicacy of thought, and the same unalterable love of the beauties and excellencies of the Christian religion, by which all his other writings are so eminently distinguished. With the EVENING DEVOTIONS, the entire works of Sturm, with the exception of his Sermons, may be said to be incorporated with our National Literature, and it may be confidently affirmed, that they will tend in a great degree, to enhance the good opinion which the British public have already expressed of his works. It may, however, be necessary to state in order to obviate any mistake which might very naturally arise regarding the different works of Sturm, that the EVENING DEVOTIONS and the EVENING REFLECTIONS are two distinct works, the former being a practical exposition of the duties of Christianity, embracing those subjects which could not be discussed within the limits of the MORNING DEVOTIONS; whilst the latter is confined to the contemplation of the works of God, as a guide to the knowledge of natural history. Of the manifold benefits derived from occasional devotion, and which are so particularly held forth in the works of Sturm, no eulogium will be here required, but if there be anything, which disposes our heart to permanent and pious feelings, or which excites us to the performance of good and virtuous acts, it is a communion with God in an hour of retirement, when the soul, exalted above all the cares and distractions of this life, turns to its everlasting Father, and yields itself up wholly to his gracious Providence. Nothing tends so much to the increase of domestic felicity as occasional devotion, when the father or the mother in the midst of their family, occupy themselves with high and sublime objects, when they enter into communion with God, their Creator; when they instruct themselves in the truths of the religion of Jesus Christ, and reflect on the expecta tions of their soul, which is created for eternity. After such a communion a holy serenity is diffused over the mind, and the pious resolution is formed to act virtuously on earth, and thereby render ourselves worthy of a higher and more blessed communion in another world. There is, certainly, not any thing which can be more conducive to the happiness of a family, than the possession of those works, which conduct the mind, in the hour of private meditation, to the consideration of those great and important truths on which the happiness of mankind is founded. In every state and condition of life, the sacred truths which are to be found in every page of the DEVOTIONS, will, if properly and firmly impressed upon the heart, be productive of an everlasting fruit, of inestimable benefit in this world, and of the most glorious results in another. To the youth of either sex, who, with joyous prospects are about to enter upon the dangerous career of life, those admirable precepts will be found, by which they can be guided to the true knowledge of God, of His divine Son, and of His sublime doctrine. Then, under all the accidents and casualties of life, they will be able to maintain a dignified composure in the joys of prosperity, and a pious and holy spirit in the hour of affliction. Page. Actions of Jesus Christ, the manner of the 591 Actions of man regulated by the counsels of divine wis lom the 395 Adherence to God in death Advantages of uprightness, the Advantages of Christian fortitude, the Advantages and beauty of a family compact, the Affairs of life, the love of God apparent in all the Afflictions, consolation under our 109 140 Afflictions of the present life are to be patiently endured for the hope of eternal life, the Approach to God by prayer, the Approaching death, preparation for our Approbation of God, the solicitude of the Christian for the Assistance of the Divine Being, the Attendance on divine worship, the . 719 629 389 373 5 251 443 527 Benefit of a tranquil and contented heart, the Benevolence, the exercise of universal Benevolence, one of the principles of the Christian character 569 Page. Blessings of Christianity, the Blessings of salvation, the . Call of the Christian to repentance, the Carnally-minded man, spiritual and the Blessing of faith, the Blessing of God on our actions, the Blessings of communion with Jesus the Blessings of charity, the Blessings of the redeeming love of Christ, the Blessing of a pure heart Blessings of the grace of Christ, the Christ, the light of God, and the light of Censure of man, indifference to the Certainty in the kindness of God Character of the Christian, the enjoyment of life compati- ble with the Charity, the blessings of Charity, the foundation of the Christian religion Children, the duty of parents to their. Christ, the free grace of Christ, the perfect way of life. Christ, justification in Christ, my life is in 865 481 228 715 364 Christ, the coming of Christ, union with Christ, the blessings of the grace of Christ to be heard with humility, the instructions of Christ, benefits derived from communion with Christian in his hours of leisure, the Christian in the contemplation of nature, the Christian piety, one of the chief virtues of the 327 |