A Volume of the author's published and unpublished writings on the Central Idea of Christianity has been frequently and urgently called for; and after mature consideration, he does not feel at liberty longer to withhold it.

He has written, and ventured to approach the public through various periodicals, upon different branches of this subject, at intervals, during the last eight or ten years. His discussions and appeals have been designed to meet, some pressing emergency, to aid in correcting some serious evil, and, so far as practicable, contribute to the healthy spiritual growth of the Church.

He was, at length, quite surprised to find that, in this irregular way, he was really writing a book. Some of his friends noticed this, and urged him to give it permanent form; intimating, indeed, in the event of his refusal an idea of doing it for him. He thought it much better to be his own editor, especially as important portions of the discussion were in the form of unpublished manuscript; and other connecting links, absolutely indispensable, must be prepared with caution, and special adaptation to a general plan.

The work needs no further introduction, excepting to remind the reader that, in a book written in this manner, the same idea will inevitably recur, in different special themes, and the consistency and unity of the whole will be, hence, less perfect. But, in such a discussion as we here venture to present, we regard this as an advantage rather than a blemish. While the work includes a finished system, each section is complete in itself; and, if the reader has not time to examine the volume consecutively, he will find any part of it intelligible alone. Any repetitions, not conveniently avoidable in this method of writing, will only have the effect to place some important practical thought in various aspects and relations, and thus increase the probability of permanent and useful impressions.

This effort to present to the Church a thoroughly scriptural and practical view of the Central Idea of Christianity, is humbly and prayerfully committed to God for his providential care and blessing, and to Christians of all denommations, for their candid examination, in view of the judgment of the great day. May it, then, appear that some valuable purpose has been promoted by the humble labors of

THE AUTHOR.