WAY-MARKS;
OR,
DIRECTIONS TO PERSONS COMMENCING
A RELIGIOUS LIFE.
SELECTED AND ARRANGED
BY G. T. BEDELL, D. D.
Rector of St. Andrew’s Church, Phil’a.
PHILADELPHIA:
HENRY PERKINS, 159 CHESTNUT-ST.
1839.
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1832,by Key, Mielke, & Biddle, in the Clerk’s Office of the EasternDistrict of Pennsylvania.
Stereotyped by L. Johnson.
The great variety of useful little books latelypublished, under such titles as Daily Food, DailyCrumbs, Devout Exercises, &c. and the favourwith which these have been met, suggested tothe compiler, the utility of attempting somethingof the same kind. He had accidentallymet with a little work, called, “Directions,” &c.published by Maltbys, New Haven; and thoughthere were some things in it which he did notlike, he thought it, on the whole, a very valuablelittle manual of instruction. The compilerhas made such alterations as seemed necessaryto make it please himself, and added some fewparticulars from a valuable tract of the latePresident Edwards.—The Letter to a youngLady, &c. is one which the compiler has beenin the habit of presenting to young personsunder certain states of mind; and the “Memento,”by whomsoever prepared, is most admirably[4]done, and worthy to be read by allChristians.—The article on the question, “AmI a New Creature?” taken from the Spirit of thePilgrims, is one highly useful and important inthe present period of religious inquiry.
The sole object of the compiler is to do good;and this he trusts and prays may be accomplished.
Philadelphia, Feb. 1832.
1. Directions to Persons commencing aReligious Life—selected from an anonymouspublication; with additions,from “Advice to young Converts,” byPresident Edwards.
2. Letter to a Young Lady, on the outsetof a Religious Life. From the “LondonChristian Guardian.”
3. A Memento of Affection, written inthe language of the Scriptures—selectedfrom the anonymous publicationabove noticed.
4. Am I a New Creature? From “TheSpirit of the Pilgrims.”
1. Remember that the commencementof the Christian life is to be like the“dawning light, which increaseth moreand more to the perfect day.” Thereforewhen the hope of peace and pardon dawnsin the heart, do not consider the greatbusiness of life as accomplished, but onlyas begun.
2. Keep up as great a strife and earnestnessin religion, as if you knew yourselfto be in a state of nature. Whenpersons are under conviction of sin, theyare advised to be earnest