C

THE

LIBERAL PREACHER;

MONTHLY PUBLICATION

OF

SERMONS.

BY LIVING MINISTERS.

VOL. III. NEW SERIES.

BOSTON:

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY

DAVID REED.

1833.

LIBRARY OF

HARVARD DIVINITY SOHOOL

Gift of

Mrs. Henry W.Foote,
10 May, 1880

I. Religion recommended to the Young.-By Rev. Wil-

liam B. O. Peabody, Springfield.

Page.

1

II. The duty of Constant Gratitude to God.-By Rev.

George Ripley, Boston.

17

III. Moral influence of the Christian doctrine of Immor-

tality. By Rev. Alvan Lamson, Dedham.

25

IV. Human Life, a Tale.-By Rev. David Damon,

Amesbury.

41

V. The kingdom of God is Within You.-By Rev. Samuel

Barrett, Boston.

55

VI. On Craft and management in Religion.-By Rev.

James Walker, Charlestown.

71

VII. God's promise of Immortality.-By Rev. Mellish

Irving Motte, Boston.

87

VIII. Forgiveness of Injuries.-By Rev. Francis Park-

man.

103

IX. Ways of Pleasantness and Peace.-By Rev. Cazneau

Palfrey, Washington, D. C.

117

X. On erroneous views of the Moral State and Character

of Mankind. By Rev. Joseph Field, Weston.

XI. Grace, as connected with Salvation.-By Rev. Con-

vers Francis, Watertown.

129

141

XII. Happiness at Home. A Thanksgiving Sermɔn.-By

Rev. James Flint, D D. Salem.

165

XIII. Love, the Fulfilling of the Law.-By Rev. Simeon

Doggett, Raynham.

180

SERMON I.

BY REV. WILLIAM B. O. PEABODY, OF SPRINGFIELD.

RELIGION RECOMMENDED TO THE YOUNG.

PROVERBS, VIII. 17. THOSE THAT SEEK ME EARLY SHAll find me.'

Ir any one part of life is more important in a religious point of view than another, it is certainly the season of youth; I mean the time, when the dependence of childhood is over, and the cares of maturer life are not yet begun. It is a resting-place, where the young may stand and ponder the path of their feet. Up to this point, they have been led by the affection and care of others; from this point, they are, in all important respects, to determine their character and destiny for themselves; and therefore they assume an undivided responsibility for the feelings they cherish, the deeds they do, and the principles which they form. It is a time, on the right improvement of which much depends; and it is shamefully abused by those who give it all up to light-hearted and careless joy.

There is nothing in all religion so inspiring as the offers and promises made to the young. The voice of heavenly wisdom addresses them in its mildest tones,