TESTIMONIALS.

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF YALE COLLEGE.

"Allow me to express my decided approbation of the object and plan of the National Preacher. It has opened a new channel for the religious influence of the press. It gives a durable form to a selection of able discourses; and probably gains for them a more attentive perusal, by distributing them, not in volumes, but in smaller portions, at regular intervals of time. The execution, so far as I have observed, is such as to satisfy the public expectation."

FROM THE AMERICAN BAPTIST.

"We esteem this Sermon (CCIX) one of the most valuable in the very valuable series of Sermons which that Work has presented to the reading public within the last ten years; a Work which deserves to receive a larger share of public patronage than it has yet secured."

FROM PROFESSORS IN PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

"The plan proposed by the Rev. Austin Dickinson, of publishing a Monthly Series of Sermons, from the pens of respectable Ministers of different denominations of Christians in the United States, is one which, in our opinion, may be rendered highly interesting and extensively useful. We do, therefore, willingly recommend the undertaking to the patronage of the Christian community."

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND PROFESSORS OF AMHERST COLLEGE.

"Mr. Dickinson has a clear and discriminating mind; and is himself at once an able writer and preacher. Having spent four years at the South and West, and become extensively acquainted with Ministers and Christians of different denominations; and having at the same time an intimate knowledge of the religious state and wants of New-England; perhaps no man is better qualified to make a powerful and salutary impression on the public mind, by combining (and in a sense directing) the talents of our most eminent divines in his Monthly Preacher.

"Most sincerely do we wish him the co-operation of those whose name and influence may make the work a blessing to many thousands."

FROM THE QUARTERLY CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR.

"We do not hesitate to say, that Mr. Dickinson has adopted one of the happiest expedients hitherto devised for eliciting that 'diversity of gifts' in the Christian ministry, which infinite wisdom and benevolence have bestowed for the edification of the body of Christ, and for bringing sinners to the foot of the

cross."

FROM THE NEW-YORK OBSERVER.

"This periodical has, from its commencement in 1826, been regarded as a standard work; and, afforded as it is at the low price of one dollar a year, and sustained by some of the ablest writers of our country, we should expect it would continue to have an extensive and increasing circulation."

PROSPECTUS.

The 13th volume of the NATIONAL PREACHER will commence with the number for January, 1839, and will contain a sermon from President Day. We have also made arrangements with the conductors of the Yale Literary Magazine, for the elegant portrait of the President, which will accompany the sermon.

It will be the habitual endeavor of the Editor, in this work, to present such Sermons, on all important subjects of Gospel doctrine and practice, as may tend to honor the great Redeemer and save immortal souls. We have been cheered with constant assurances of its usefulness; and if those who read and appreciate, will make it known to others, and encourage its circulation, its influence may widen and extend so long as the Gospel is preached.

Upwards of sixty Clergymen, of five Christian denominations, and belonging to sixteen different States, most of whom are well known to the public as authors, have allowed the Editor to expect from them Sermons for this work.

It will be observed that the terms of the work are $1 a year in advance. It is hoped that those who do not strictly pay in advance, will embrace the first convenient opportunity to remit the sum. We have been much encouraged by the increasing patronage of the work, and shall endeavor to increase its value, both as it respects matter and execution, as our funds afford us the means. Such subscribers, therefore, as are in arrears, will do us a great favor if they will forward the amount due at the commencement of the coming year.

BACK VOLUMES.

The frequent calls for the back volumes of the National Preacher have induced the Proprietor to reprint such numbers as were out of print, so that the entire set can now be furnished (twelve vols. neatly bound) to those who may desire to purchase the work. Price $12 the set.

THE GUILT AND DANGER OF READING INFIDEL, FICTITIOUS, AND IMPURE WORKS.

ACTS xix. 19. 20.-Many also of them which used curious arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.

PROV. XIX. 27.-Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

By "the words of knowledge" we are to understand that system of Divine teaching, the cordial reception of which is true religion. "The instruction which causeth to err from the words of knowledge" is that which is opposed to the moral welfare of mankind; which tends to poison their principles, and corrupt their practice. Of such instructions the world is full. They surround us like pestilential vapors; and as it is the dictate of prudence to avoid the one, so it is infinitely wise to shun the other. The oldest library of which we have any account was established among the Egyptians by their king Osymandias; and upon the front of it bore this inscription,—“ FOOD FOR THE MIND." This is what books were designed to be; and it is only when they bear this character, that they can be used with safety. We naturally become assimilated to objects with which we are intimately conversant. In reading books we often hold closer communion with the spirits of their authors, than when in personal intercourse; and evil communications corrupt good manners as certainly in the one case as in the other. Many, however, who are alive to the dangers of bad company, are insensible to that which flows Vol. XII. No. 12.

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