ther brightness; and devoting these your last days to the service of Him who has kindly conducted you thus far in life, do you feel, think, and converse much on the things of Christ and heaven, endeavoring to diffuse around you a savor of piety, and, as you have opportunity, to guide and quicken others in the way of duty and salvation? In a word, do you realize more sensibly, as you go down the hill of life, that you are strangers and pilgrims on earth; and not knowing how soon the Master may call for you, are you, as faithful servants, watching and waiting for his coming, in the attitude of penitence and faith, of prayer and hope, of obedience and love, of weanedness from the world and meetness for heaven? Some of you, I trust, can return a comfortable answer to these inquiries; and to you the pastor would say, fear not, the Saviour in whom you confide will bear you through and bear you home; will be with you in the great change you have soon to pass; give you the victory over death and the grave, and crown you with immortal life in his kingdom. O that I could in faithfulness address this language to all the aged present! But I cannot. Truth forbids it. Some of you have stood fifty, sixty, seventy years in the vineyard of God, and are yet unfruitful. Every year the great Lord of the vineyard has come, seeking fruit from you, but has sought in vain. Another year is now drawing to a close; it has been a year of patience and long-suffering, of kindness and mercy, on the part of God; but it has borne to heaven no record of your repentance, and none of your gratitude and love, or of obedience and service done to him who has all your life long been waiting to be gracious and bestowing upon you the unwearied cultivation of his providence and grace. How long will it be, dying immortals, ere it shall be said of you, Cut them down, why cumber they the ground? You have had a long day of trial; and if yet you are unreconciled to God, a long account of sin stands written against you, and it must be an awful account to render at the bar of Infinite Justice, before which you must shortly stand. TERMS OF THE PREACHER. I. The monthly numbers usually contain two Sermons. II. Price One Dollar, in advance, (or on receiving the first number) annually. Four copies, or volumes, for Three Dollars, in advance. III. Such as do not pay up arrearages, and give the Proprietor notice of a desire to discontinue taking the work, are responsible for payment while it is sent, and on commencing a new volume are responsible for its twelve numbers. New Subscribers may commence with any number they choose, on advancing payment for a year. An elegant Portrait of Dr. PORTER, of Andover, will accompany the next January Number. Postmasters are authorized to forward payments to the Proprietor, at his risk; to them receipts will be returned, to be shown to Subscribers. No mode of conveyance is found more safe than the mail. Correspondents will be careful in naming the individuals to whom credit is to be given, and the Post Office and State to which the work is to be sent. Letters may be directed, post-paid, to the Proprietor, DARIUS MEAD, Office of the National Preacher, 150 Nassau-street, New-York. AGENTS FOR THE NATIONAL PREACHER. The following persons will receive subscriptions for this publication, and will transmit to the publisher the names and payments of the subscribers. Agents are not expected to assume any responsibility in the distribution of the numbers. The National Preacher will, in all cases, be forwarded to subscribers by mail, unless special directions are given to the contrary. New-Orleans, La. E. A. FOLLANSBE. Middletown, Conn. E. HUNT & Co. Boston, Mass. WEEKS, JORDAN & Co. Norwich City, Conn. SAMUEL C. STARR. Individuals not named in the above list, who have voluntarily acted as Agents to procure subscribers in their immediate neighborhoods, are respectfully requested to continue their agency as their convenience may permit. |