my memory, which abounded most with facts from common life, parable, allegory, and incident.

The Great Teacher-the model preacher—sought to gain access to the minds of his hearers by illustrations taken from their common employments. The Franciscan and Dominican preachers, in conveying instruction to the poor, to gain attention and rouse languid hearers, were careful to illustrate their sermons with tales, and anecdotes, and legends. Latimer related anecdotes and incidents when he preached at Paul's Cross. Whitefield captivated and caught by picture-teaching the listening thousands whom he addressed in Moorfields. And in our own time, who that has heard—as it was once my privilege to hear— that king of preachers, Dr. Guthrie, can ever forget his inimitable figures and similitudes, and his happy power of illustrating his topics by reference to passing incidents ?

Such a style of preaching is desirable, and to most people it will be acceptable and attractive. Facts, I feel assured, have more effect on people in general than the most conclusive reasoning. The most imIportant truths declared from the pulpit in an abstract form are soon forgotten, while the same truths, when presented by homely and pictorial illustrations, make an impression lasting and profound.

Many of the anecdotes in this book, I have used in illustration of Scriptural truths while labouring for upwards of forty years in the honourable work of a local preacher. While designed for the pulpit and the platform, they are also adapted to give pleasure and instruction in the family circle.

To several friends I am under great obligation for the kind assistance rendered me in various ways while the work was passing through the press.

In conclusion, I have only to express my sincere hope, that, under God, the book may be made a blessing to all those who read it, and I shall rejoice that my "labour of love" has not been "in vain."

EAST GATE, BEVERLEY,

February, 1873.

M. DENTON.

D

MOTIVES TO ACTIVITY.

O we want motives to stimulate us to work? Let us look at the perishing multitudes just around us. Sin has brought them into peril. Disease and accident may introduce death in a moment, and send them unprepared into the presence of their Judge. Their guilt, their misery, their danger, loudly call upon us for action, instant action, incessant action, that they may be saved. Let us hasten to the rescue, so that souls may not perish, through our supineness, for whom Christ died. The effort may entail some sacrifice, some inconvenience, and perhaps some danger; but the rescue of one soul from hell is ample reward.

Sometimes men have to look on a misery they cannot relieve. An illustration of this occurred a few years ago in Scotland. A vessel laden with coals was beached on the shore of the Solway Frith, in order that her cargo might be carted away during ebb tide. While the vessel lay high

A

and dry on the sand, some men were sent in beneath her to effect some necessary repairs. By some gross mismanagement, the vessel began to heel over. A cry of alarm was raised; and all escaped but one man. She settled down on his limbs before he had time to creep out, and locked them fast between the hull and the sand. The man lived and spoke, and took counsel with his neighbours, but remained pinioned to the spot. All hands went to work. They tried first to lighten the ship of her cargo, but this method proved too slow; they attached hawsers to the ship's mast, and set a great number of men to pull, but their united efforts failed to heel her over to the other side. In their abortive efforts a precious hour-the precious hour, for there was but one-had been lost; and now the tide of the Solway came rushing in like a race-horse. All that were free fled before it, and left their imprisoned companion to his fate. On and on came the remorseless sea. The waves mounted higher and higher, rising till they reached his chest. He asked for a handkerchief to be thrown over his head, that he might not see the waves. It was done; and with a weeping, sobbing crowd around him, no one of whom could help him, the rising waters closed his voice for ever, and his spirit returned to God who gave it.

Oh! if those who are exposed to temporal death awaken sympathy and elicit help-if the anxieties of a neighbourhood gather around a drowning man-how much of sympathy and zealous effort are due to those who are rushing headlong to the untold miseries of the second death. Men are perishing!-perishing all around us!-perishing at our very doors! They cry day and night for help; and we can help them. Unlike the spectators of the above