-00.2-PREFACE

PREFACE
The following pages were drawn up expressly for the use of the afflicted of the Lord’s people; and are designed to administer instruction, reproof, and consolation to the heirs of salvation. When sickness throws the believer on his bed, weakens his powers of memory and meditation, and unfits him for the pleasures of conversation — he needs a friend to refresh his mind with suitable portions of God’s most holy word, and to offer suitable reflections upon the same. Such a friend, this little volume is designed to be. I have endeavored . . .
to set forth Jehovah in His true character,
to point out the nature and design of afflictive dispensations, and
to lead back the mind to the Lord, from whom it is continually straying. The pieces are short and varied; and, as poetry has a peculiar tendency to soothe and comfort the minds of many in trouble, I have collected from various sources, what appeared to me to be adapted for the purpose. But let no one expect to derive advantage merely by reading this or any other book: "Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." Look then, my poor afflicted brother and sister, to Him; and crave the unction and operation of the Holy Spirit, that so you may read to profit and spiritual edification. To the Lord I commend this feeble effort to administer comfort to His people, and pray that many may be edified and built up upon their most holy faith thereby. And if any good should, in any instance, result therefrom, let Jehovah — Father, Son, and Spirit — have all the praise. Amen.
James Smith, Cheltenham