Poems of Grace and Truth

POETRY is a Divine emanation. The more a pure mind drinks in its Spirits, the more it will soar up in heavenly contemplation, and increase in adoration. To awaken love for pure poetry, is to give an upward lent to its future life.

God has blessed the human family with many noble religions poets; but their productions are necessarily mingled with the shades of religious error that overcast their days. And God desires His people, and their children blessed with poetical thought on the summit of present truth.

In putting forth this new book before the public, we seek not nor expect to elicit any literal compliments. We have written for the edification of the common people, and not for applause of the critic. The work has been executed in the midst of constant evangelistic and editorial cares and labors, and having been written in our absence from home and library, it with be found nearly destitute of historical embellishment. But to the ordinary reader it will be all the better appreciated. We shall be happy and satisfied, if the instrument of these simple verses be esteemed less than nothing, if they will create in the reader a more exalted conception of the grace of God, and kindle in his heart a more fervent love for His truth.

This is the humble Prayer of

     THE AUTHOR.