INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. BIOGRAPHY, when properly executed, is a species of history peculiarly engaging and instructive. Christian biography, in particular, exercises a beneficial moral influence, by exhibiting the principles, deportment, and habits of the disciples of Christ. To display whatever was excellent in those who are gone, for the imitation of the living, is sanctioned by the authority of Scripture. The word of God is full of biographical notices. There is not a temper, disposition, or action, required in Scripture that is not palpably exhibited in the history of one or other of the faithful. They are not merely described-they are seen as it were alive and in exercise. There is much wisdom discovered in this; for such is our nature, that truth must assume the garb of character in order permanently to interest. Those who cannot retain any abstract statement may receive instruction in the form of narrative. The truth is thus taught by its being exemplified. We feel at once reproved, stimulated, and encouraged, when eminent piety is seen in persons of the same rank, and in the same circumstances, with ourselves, and acting in relations similar to our own. Every excuse taken from our age and situation in life, or from our own imperfection, and from the difficulty of the service to persons situated as we are, is completely silenced. Piety is seen to be practicable as well as profitable. The fact, that a high degree of likeness to the Saviour's character has actually been attained, is exceedingly fitted to excite us to the imi tation of those who derived all their excellence from that very grace which is as freely exhibited to us as it was to them. The record of such instances so far supplies the want of experience, for wisdom is the great end of history. And who that is acquainted with his own heart, and has felt the workings of those evil principles inherent in our nature, which lead us to depart from the living God, can fail to know, that he stands in need of every excitement which can be had in the stimulating influence of fervent piety and active exertion, in the instructive and edifying example of a devotional spirit and a heavenly character of mind, and in the consoling and cheering display of filial confidence and patient suffering? Naked maxims, or precepts, have not an equal influence in awakening the attention, or interesting the affections. We, for instance, understand the nature and effect of faith much better by the representation of its exercise in the history of Abraham than we could by the most correct definition. We enter into his various feelings, and follow him with the deepest interest. We become acquainted, not only with his actions, but with the principles from whence they flowed, and with the hallowed source whence all his excellence proceeded; and we are encouraged by the thought that we are invited to the very same source of strength and of bless. edness. And soothing indeed is the reflection, that, in reading the history of the Scripture saints, we are reading the history of our own brethren, and of the blessings and privileges common to the whole of our family. And in as far as others of our brethren have, in latter ages, resembled the ancients, we are called to imitate them. This is by no means incompatible with the constant contemplation of the Saviour. With the same breath we are exhorted to look to the great "author and finisher of the race of faith," and to follow the "great cloud of witnesses" exhibited in the record of the ancient worthies. The example of fellow-christians affords us the means of comparing the character of Jesus with theirs. In them we indeed see blemishes which we ought to shun, but we also see excellencies which we ought to pursue; while to the Saviour we shall be led to go for grace to avoid the one and to acquire the other. We cannot look to the copy without thinking the more of the original. The reflected likeness of the Saviour in the character of his people, leads us to dwell the more on his transcendent glory itself. When the apostle exhorts us to "be followers of him as he was of Christ," his language implies that, by observing his conduct in connexion with his prin ciples, we may discover certain things in which we have been wandering from the example of Jesus, or may be quickened to "run the race set before us" with greater assiduity and ardour. Our faith in the gospel is confirmed when we mark its influence in calming the conscience, purifying the heart, and sanctifying the life. Our impressions of the love, the care, and the faithfulness of Christ, are exceedingly strengthened when we witness the peace, the comfort, and the joy possessed by believers in times of heavy and protracted trials. And our confidence in the power and the wisdom of our guide and protector is greatly established when we mark the effect and the issue of his various dispensations as exhibited in the history of his people. Orton's Life of Dr. Doddridge ranks among the best specimens of Christian Biography in the English language. It is on the whole well known, but perhaps among the rising generation it is not so extensively circulated as its merits deserve. It is particularly calculated to be of use to those who are directing their views to the Christian ministry, and to such as are already engaged in it. It delineates the character of a man distinguished by the fervour of his piety, the spirituality of his mind, and his unwearied labours in the cause of religion and benevolence. He possessed a noble elevation of soul, exalted views of the divine character, and great singleness of aim. In him the principle of Christian piety dictated, with a kind of instinctive precision, the practical course which it became him to follow. He preserved à happy equanimity in times of affliction and distress. He united with his piety the highest spirit of philanthropy. He delighted to alleviate distress, and to pour the balm of consolation into the sorrowful heart. He was remarkable for Christian candour. A stranger himself to deceit, and to selfishness, he suspected not others; and, actuated by benevolence of heart and ardour of affection, he was prone to excuse and ready to forgive. His confiding disposition was by some taken advantage of, and there were unworthy characters who abused the kindness of his unsuspecting and indulgent temper, but his amiable feeling must command our affection. It is well, however, when Christians, from their knowledge of mankind, are led to unite the prudential caution of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove. Inflexible firmness in defending what we see to be truth, is quite compatible with a humble distrust of our own understanding, and with a due respect to the rights of conscience in others. Dr. Doddridge, like Timothy, knew the Scriptures from his childhood, and he appears to have been gradually brought under the influence of the truth, through the blessing of God on parental instruction. He was particularly indebted to the instructions of his mother. And here we cannot but remark, that, to maternal piety, instruction, and example, may be traced, under God, the renovation and eminent usefulness of not a few of the most distinguished lights of the church. What an encouragement is this to mothers to sow the seeds of divine truth in the breasts of their juvenile charge. In some that change of mind which is essential to the enjoyment of the kingdom of God makes its appearance slowly, as it does rapidly in others. In one it marks an epoch, the circumstances connected with which can never be forgotten, while in another it seems almost coeval with the dawn of reason, and is not distinctly recognised till, by a gradual process, it |