DIARY OF THE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE OF MARY WARING, DAUGHTER OF ELIJAH AND SÄRAH WARING; LATE OF GODALMING. THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: PRINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, PREFACE. NOT many compilations, similar to that presented to the Reader in the following pages, have been of late, if ever, published in our religious Society. Various excellent and interesting Journals have indeed from time to time been printed, and have met with much acceptance. These generally consist of two distinct, and well-marked divisions. The first relates, for the most part, the author's early visitations, his baptismal conflicts, the dangers into which he has fallen, and the deliverances which he has experienced. This, though commonly the smaller part, is often fraught with ample stores of instruction and encouragement; for as not any work is comparable to the work of Christian redemption; so, next to the experience of its progress in ourselves, it is interesting to observe it in others. It is strengthening to those who are setting out in earnest in the Christian's path; and animating to. such as have already made advances in it. The other part usually informs us of the course which the Christian soldier, already in good measure trained, has been led in following the Captain of his salvation; and as these journals are generally those of friends eminent for public services, this part has much to keep up our attention by its variety, and to excite our admiration by the magnitude of the services performed. Here too, sometimes, the depth of the baptism, and the strength of the holy arm, which carries through it the humble and devoted servant of the Lord, are conspicuously detailed. But this Diary, though tending to the same purpose, the exaltation of the name of Christ, our Redeemer, and the encouragement of his humble followers (who, feeling no might of their own, are glad of the least touch of his assisting hand, and rejoice in ascribing to him all the praise), pursues a course sometimes varying from the journals which have been hinted at. It is indeed that of a private, and with respect to the Society at large, even in England, almost an obscure individual. It does not relate her religious exercises in youth; for it begins with her thirty-first year, and at a time when most who knew her would probably think her a fixed character on the side of religion, and one, whose foundations were already well taid on the rock. As it goes on, it relates little more than the regular attention to what are called common and daily duties. And it is for this very reason, probably, adapted to the generality of readers in private life; if they be but such as think it important to attend daily to the concerns of their immortal part; and to take, amidst the variety of scenes in which they are engaged, some time to consider whether their habits, dispositions and practices are pleasing to God. To those who neglect this important inquiry, what can can be said; what can be written? Some persons who take up this volume may think that the frequently repeated relations of experiences nearly similar, are tedious to be read; but it may be doubted whether such critics will be found among the hungry souls, or the abased ones. These will probably recollect that, in like manner |