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PREFACE.
V
is taken from the most ignorant and profligate
class of men, and the history of his degrada¬
tion and crimes is given for the simple purpose
of showing, not only what are the distinct fea¬
tures of human nature in its deplorable apos¬
tasy and to what lengths ignorance and sin will
lead, but more specially to show what trans¬
formation of character may be secured by the
proper application of the means of grace and
the blessing of God upon the agencies of his
appointment to save mankind.
Divine truth, when addressed to the most
guilty, with kindness and sympathy for their
miserable and lost condition, is seldom refused
or despised. When accompanied with fervent
prayer, and attended with the blessing of God,
nothing is too great to anticipate. We may
Sook for miracles of mercy and salvation
In the relief ultimately found from igno¬
rance and sin, by the renewing influence of
truth and grace, no excuse can be borrowed
for moral delinquency, no palliation pleaded
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