Jairus; Or, the Home Missionary (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 Excerpt: ...our day, pious individuals are publicly to exercise the preaching talents with which they may be intrusted, intimated, with an affected concern, (signified by a sort of palsied movement of the head, accompanied with a deep-drawn sigh, ) "his youth: " while others, who "Hated the excellence they could not reach," hinted "his unqualified state for the work." None felt the force of the last-mentioned weighty reason, urged by "a friend to silence," (except when they themselves speak, ) more than did Jairus: --no, not even these sympathizing and "silent" friends. His own sense of incompetency for the work deeply affected him; and, had not a persuasion similar (at least, in kind) to that realized by the apostle, as he exclaimed, "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel," urged Jairus to attempt it, he would, notwithstanding the solicitations of many, still have continued silent. In reference, however, to his motive, he could, like Peter, appeal to omniscience in vindication of its purity. He was, indeed, young; having just entered his twentieth year: many, however, still younger had been, and several such then were, usefully engaged in preaching the Gospel. But, amidst all the clamour of little minds, he had at least one friend, to whose earnest and unabating concern for his welfare he was greatly indebted, --the Rev. W Y. This was a gentleman, in the proper sense of the term, of highly respectable connexions, possessing talents much above the ordinary rank, a well-furnished mind, and acute penetration, with warm and unaffected friendship, besides (what imparted lustre and solidity to his other qualifications) fervent piety. Some time had now elapsed since Jairus's first attempt at preaching, when, on their unex...