A Book of Gems, or, Choice selections from the writings of Benjamin Franklin. Бенджамин Франклин

Чтение книги онлайн.

      PREFACE.

       Table of Contents

      The writings of no man among the Christian Brotherhood have been so universally popular as those of Benjamin Franklin, save the extended writings of Alexander Campbell. Franklin’s volumes of Sermons, Debates and Tracts, together with his miscellaneous writings, have for many years been in general demand, and have met with ready sale.

      No excuse is offered for this volume, save that of public demand. The public demanded the volume, and it is, therefore, submitted.

      None but the most choice selections, gathered from numerous valuable writings, have been allowed space in this volume. The book is what it purports to be, a collection of Gems that sparkle in the light of Heaven’s Truth as diamonds in the sky.

      The reader, by referring to the Index, can easily turn and get the views of the Author on very many momentous subjects.

      The volume will prove, as we trust, a monument to the memory of a great and good man, and a treasure to every Christian household.

      The volume is sent forth with the prayer that the truth it contains may sanctify and make glad many, many hearts.

      J. A. H.

      THE SHORTNESS OF HUMAN LIFE.

       Table of Contents

      NATION after nation rises, enters and occupies a place among the nations of the earth, falls, and is only known in the faithful records of history. Generation after generation comes forth, enters upon the great theatre of life, throngs the world for a little while, falls in death and passes into eternity. Upon an average, about once in thirty-three years, the whole of the inhabitants of the earth, or as many as are upon it at any one time, over one billion souls, are carried beyond the reach of all missionary effort—beyond the reach of all repentance—all gospel invitations, and so many as are not saved, beyond all possibility of salvation. During the same short period, the preachers, missionaries, writers and professors of religion of one generation are all born where no mistakes can be corrected, and no amendment for wrongs done, or time trifled away, can ever be made. Taking off from this time, eighteen years for childhood, only leaves about fifteen years for the vast work of personal preparation, for a state of boundless duration СКАЧАТЬ