Prefatory Note

'I ^HE title which I have given to this volume refers to the fact, more weighty to me than to my readers, that its contents were for the most part preached during the last of my forty-five years' pastorate in Manchester, and are now published almost simultaneously with my retirement. I shall, I hope, be pardoned and sympathized with, if I express here something of the solemn and pensive emotions with which I send forth this volume. I am well aware of the defects and limitations of this as of my other books, but I am deeply thankful to God for any good that He has allowed them to do, and to many unknown friends in many lands who have heartened me by telling me that I have been able to help them in some measure. I cannot issue this volume without thanking them and asking them to remember me in their prayers.