, and about my answers to
prayer, and the supplies of my temporal wants, and some of my family
concerns, and the success which God has given to our labours,--is not,
because I do not know that it is contrary to worldly custom, and against
the interests of my worldly reputation; nor is it, as if I made light of
my falls; nor as if I would boast in having had my prayers so often
answered, and having been in such a variety of ways used as an instrument
in doing the Lord's work; but, I have written what I have written for the
benefit of my brethren. I have mentioned some of my sins and errors, that
through my loss the brethren who may read this may gain. I have mentioned
the answers of prayer, that through them they may be encouraged to make
known their requests unto God. I have spoken about my temporal supplies,
that through seeing how richly God has supplied my temporal wants, since
the commencement of 1830, when I left London, they may be stirred up "to
seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," resting assured,
that, in doing so, He will give them what is needful for the life that now
is. I have alluded to some family circumstances, that children of God may
be encouraged to cast their family burdens upon the Lord, in order that,
in doing so, they may find Him carrying the burdens for them. And lastly,
I have written about the success which God has been pleased to grant us in
His work, that it may be seen, that, in acting on scriptural principles,
we have the Lord on our side, and that our mode of preaching is honoured
by Him. If in anything which I have written I have been mistaken (and what
human work is there which is free from error), I have been mistaken after
much prayer. Whilst writing I have often asked help of God. Whilst
revising the work, I have still again and again bowed my knees. I have
also frequently entreated the Lord to bless this feeble effort of mine to
speak to His praise, and I have not the slightest hesitation in saying,
that, from the earnestness and comfort which I have enjoyed in prayer, and
from the sincere self-examination of my heart, I know that God will bless
this little work. May I ask you then, my brethren and sisters, who have
been benefited in reading this book, to help me with your prayers, that it
may be blessed to others. May I also ask you, my brethren and sisters, who
think I ought not to have published it, to ask God to bless that which you
yourselves consider good and scr