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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by

JAMES GALLAHER,

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

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PREFACE.

THE articles in the Western Sketch Book are mostly on religious subjects. It was not intended, however, that they should be exclusively so: some of the anecdotes are merely historical; yet it is hoped that they will convey to the reader valuable information.

In the sketches here furnished of "men and things," great regard has been had to accuracy and truth. The facts stated may be relied on as of the most authentic character. It was the settled purpose of the author, that as an historical record, this publication should occupy the highest ground. There are a few articles of an allegorical cast, given as professed extracts from ancient books which have long since, been lost" the Book of Ahijah the Shilonite," "the Book of Nathan the Prophet," "the Book of the Visions of Iddo the Seer," &c. The reader will, of course, understand that the giving of these articles as "extracts," is merely a part of that allegorical or figurative mode of representation which the author has chosen to employ.

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The views on the subject of revivals of religion, which pervade this volume, are such as the author believes he has received from the Bible, and has had confirmed by an experience in the ministry of more than thirty-four years.

When describing scenes in which I myself have been concerned, I have used the pronoun in the first person singular. On this subject I fully agree with Dr. Dwight, former president of Yale College.

"Dr. Dwight," said an inquirer, "is it not better for a minister, when speaking of himself, to say 'we,' rather than 'I?'

"I think not," answered the doctor.

"But it avoids the appearance of egotism."

Ah, well," said Dr. Dwight, "I would rather have egotism than wegotism."

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