CYCLOPÆDIA OF MORAL AND RELIGIOUS ANECDOTE, WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY BY THE REV. GEORGE CHEEVER, D.D. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A COMPLETE SERIES OF SCRIPTURAL TEXTS, ILLUSTRATED BY THE ANECDOTES. "Know, then, I propound to myself five ends in this book: first, to gain some glory to God; secondly, to preserve the memories of the dead; thirdly, to present examples to the living; fourthly, to entertain the reader with delight; and lastly, (which I am not ashamed publicly to confess,) to procure some honest profit to myself. If not so happy to attain all, I shall be joyful to attain some-yea, contented and thankful too, if gaining any, especially the first of these ends-the motives of my endeavours." FIFTH EDITION. THOMAS FULLER. LONDON AND GLASGOW : RICHARD GRIFFIN AND COMPANY. PREFACE. THIS collection of anecdotes has been carefully gathered out of a larger publication.* The omitted stories were, in general, either grotesque, or they had no marks of authenticity about them—such as dates, places, and names. It would be, perhaps, too much to say, that we vouch for the genuineness of all the anecdotes contained in this little volume; yet as many of them have long been current, and may be found in various volumes of ancient and modern biography— as others present no improbability of circumstance-and as so few of them are anonymous, it may be presumed that they are not fictions created by inventive preachers, or clumsy fabrications, such as are found in magazines and religious romances. An anecdote is but the record of a striking event, a remarkable saying, or a brilliant action, and it may therefore be quoted with advantage, either to illustrate a principle or strengthen an argument. Its pungency relieves monotony, gives excitement to an appeal, and awakens or revives attention in the midst of a lesson or an address. Its happy introduction often realizes the sentiment of the preacher, when he says, "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies." Especially in instructing the * Cyclopædia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes, &c., by Rev. A. K. Arvine, A.M., New York, 1849. young, it is of importance to hold up a picture of truth to their warm imagination, such a picture as is found in an appropriate and impressive anecdote. They will recollect the pointed story when the vaguer counsels tendered to them have faded from their memory, while the very recalling of the anecdote will insensibly gather around it, in freshening form, portions of the truth which it was intended to embody and inculcate. Instances beyond number, in proof of our assertion, might be adduced; and there are very few who have not either witnessed or heard of them. The anecdotes which fill the succeeding pages, relate to no trifling subjects; and they have been selected not for amusement, but for instruction. They are designed and fitted to facilitate the acquirement of that "wisdom" which is the "principal thing." They are all connected with our highest interest, and have reference either to the effects and operation of divine grace on the heart and character, or to the dispensations of Providence in their sovereign and mysterious occurrence, or to the practice and exhibition of those virtues which adorn the character and benefit society. Those who are engaged in the tuition of the rising generation will find the volume a useful armoury, and will be thankful for the guidance afforded by the subjoined Index. |
