PEARLS FROM THE OCEAN; OR, WEALTH FOR SOULS. BY JAMES SMITH, CHELTENHAM; AUTHOR OF 'EARLY AND LATTER RAIN;" "GOOD SEED FOR THE LORD'S FIELD;" 66 BREAD FROM HEAVEN;" 66 'SUNNY SUBJECTS FOR ALL SEASONS;" "A BOOK YOU WILL LIKE," ETC., ETC., ETC. HALIFAX: MILNER AND SOWERBY; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL AND CO., LONDON. 1859. 141. d. 423. PREFACE. THE word of God may well be compared to the ocean, for its vastness, its usefulness, and its wealth. No one can guess at the amount of wealth which the ocean contains; yet that would be much easier, than to guess at the amount of the unsearchable riches of Christ, contained in God's word. The design of every really good book, is to lead to the Bible; from thence its contents are extracted, and back to its source it leads. I have stood on the shore of the ocean of truth, and at times have been led into a few of its depths, where I have found treasure, which has enriched me; and as I think it is likely to enrich others, I have put a part of it into this little casket, and send it forth in hope that God will make it a blessing. Christ is the great, the priceless pearl of Holy Scripture, and he that finds this pearl is rich indeed, though he part with all he has to obtain it. The promises and invitations of the Bible, are precious pearls too, they enrich and adorn the mind. Indeed every separate truth is a separate pearl, each one costly beyond description. I have endeavoured to string a few together, and now send them forth for the benefit of others.. The casket will cost but a mere trifle, the pearls are not sold, but given; they are without money and without price. Every promise, every warning, every invitation, and every exhortation is free; the free gifts of a gracious God. you Reader, this little book is intended to lead to Christ, to endear Christ to you, and make you happy in the love of Christ. Every part savours of his most precious name, which name is as ointment poured forth. If it does not lead you to Christ, and render Christ more precious to you, it will not accomplish the writer's object. It brings the writer and reader together, it places us in solemn circumstances, for at the judgment seat of Christ, I must account for what I have written, and you must account for the use you make of it. O Holy and ever blessed Spirit, do thou accompany this little work with thy blessing, and make it the means of winning many souls to Christ! Gracious Saviour, commission this book to circulate widely, and spread abroad the honours of thy name! Father of mercies, smile upon the author's feeble attempt to honour thy Son, publish thy grace, and bring souls to thee! O holy, blessed, and glorious trinity, three persons in one God, give thy sanction and blessing to this effort, for thy mercy's sake! Amen. JAMES SMITH. Cheltenham. |