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PUBLIC LIBRARY

966924A

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

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1864

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839,

BY PERKINS & MARVIN,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of

Massachusetts.

1

PREFACE.

No person who peruses the Sacred Scriptures with attention and diligence, can remain unconvinced, that a period is approaching, in which the Church of God in this world will enjoy far greater prosperity and happiness than it ever yet has enjoyed. This blessed season, called the Millennium, the Lord will hasten in his time. Those individuals who pray, and labor for the advancement of this glorious day, are co-workers with him in bringing it forward; and all those Christian enterprises which serve to introduce it, may be considered as harbingers of its approach. Such are the various benevolent Societies, whose object is to diffuse religious instruction and knowledge. They are combined instruments in promoting the conversion of the world and the salvation of men. They have an interest in each other, depend upon each other,

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MAY 5, 1938

and assist each other. There is no occasion for collision or rivalship among them. All are important and most of them absolutely necessary in hastening the accomplishment of that glorious and animating prediction: "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord." They are precursors of the latter-day glory, and will usher it in as the morning stars precede the natural sun, and usher in the natural day. As this period advances, that system of benevolent operations which is designed to enlighten and bless the world, will increase in extension and efficiency. In order to this, a thorough knowledge of the nature, designs and progress of these operations, must be diffused through the community, to awaken an interest, and to excite to vigorous and persevering efforts on their behalf.

It was thought that were the nature and importance of the several prominent Societies discussed, the claims of each urged, and the whole presented in one volume to the public, it would contribute to this desirable end.

For many years the Author of the following work has been specially interested, in the Christian efforts which are made for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, and, for the last ten years, has been exclusively devoted to them. While engaged in

his present employment, he feels bound to consecrate his whole strength to these benevolent enterprises, which he considers the glory of the present age. With this in view, he has deemed it his duty to lay before the public the succeeding Dissertations, which were principally prepared some years since, but have recently been revised for publication. It is hoped they will appear to be fair discussions of the several topics on which they treat. An opinion of the comparative value or merit of the different benevolent Societies has been purposely avoided. In the arrangement of the Dissertations it was thought best to have no regard to the order of nature, to the time of formation or importance of them.

It was supposed, that an Appendix, containing a brief historical and statistical sketch of the different benevolent Societies, would be a valuable accompaniment. This, therefore, has been subjoined. In preparing the Appendix, much assistance has been received from the Secretaries of the different benevolent Societies, and other individuals.

The work was written, partly for the Author's own improvement, and he trusts he has received. much benefit from his attention to these subjects. His mind has been informed, and his heart more. deeply interested in the general cause of benevolence. And his fervent prayer to the Great Head of

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