Dedication

To THE Reverend Presbytery of New Brunswick.

Dear Brethren,

There is a propriety in dedicating this book to you, as it owes its existence to your appointment of the author to deliver a centenary discourse on the 8th of August, 1838. A copy of this “discourse you were pie xsed to ask for pubUcation, a <:ompliance with which the preacher respectfully declined, because he found that all the facts and documents relative to the origin of the New Brunswick Presbytery could not be included in a single discourse: but he determined to make use of such materials as he possessed, or could obtain, to form a small volume, and lay it before your reverend body. This purpose, he has been enabled, imperfectly, to carry into effect; and he now solicits your candid and favourable attention to a work, which is intended to give the people of the present age, an opportunity of seeing what the state of things in this region was, a hundred years ago.

As most of those connected with the New Brunswick Presbytery, in its earnest days, were educated at Mr. Tennents School, at Neshaminy, commonly called the Log College, to give some appearance of unity to the work, the history contained in it, is connected with this humble, but useful Institution.

And as the time when this Presbytery had its origin was a period favoured with remarkable revivals of religion; and the men, who then composed this presbtery, eminent instruments, in carrying forward this good work; it was judged to be expedient to give as distinct and full an account of the outpouring of the Spirit of God, in those days, as could now be obtained. And as narratives were written by those most intimately conversant with this great revival, which were printed in books now rarely to be met with; it was thought best, to rescue these documents from oblivion, and give them unaltered, in the very words of the original writers.

The editor cannot but think that the biographical sketches here given from authentic authorities, will be acceptable to the present members of the Presbytery of New Brunswick; and he is persuaded.

that the congregations in which the displays of divine grace were so wonderful, a century past, will be benefited by a perusal of the narratives here given. Many pious people among us, are not aware that the ground on which they tread has, as it were, been hallowed by the footsteps of the Almighty. And who knows, but that prayers then offered in faith, remain yet to be answered?

The author would only observe further, that he has no pecuniary interest in the sale of the work; but all the profits of this edition — if any should accrue — are devoted to assist the funds of the Mount Lucas Orphan and Guardian Institute: which being the only institution in the state, which proposes to make provision for the helpless orphan,, ought not to be suffered to languish or die, for want of support; and such an institution should not be viewed with indifference by the New Brunswick Presbytery. If no other motive will induce the members to be active in giving circulation to this volume, he hopes this will not be without its influence. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted from the world. ‘^ “In as much as ye did it to the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me.’* God is the Father of the fatherless, and would have his ministers attentive to the poor and afflicted, I am with sincere regard.

Your brother in the gospel of Christ,

A. A.