PRE FACE. In presenting to the public this collection of the Sermons, Orations and Addresses of President Maxcy, the Editor believes that he shall render an acceptable service both to the interests of the Christian religion and to the republic of letters. Dr Maxcy's writings are surpassed by few in intrinsic excellence and value, and are entitled to an elevated rank among the productions of American literature. The intelligent and cultivated reader will perceive in all ofthem genius, refined taste, beauty of imagery, and vigor of thought and diction. The brief Memoir of his Life is a task which the Editor would gladly have declined, could some one of Dr. Maxcy's intimate friends or gifted pupils have been induced to undertake it. He deeply regrets that he never had an opportunity of seeing this accomplished and eloquent divine, and of witnessing the force of his reasoning, his command of felicitous language, his discursive and brilliant imagination, and his extraordinary power over the passions of men, that he might be able more accurately to delineate the features of his mind, and the minute lineaments of his character. Although great exertions have been made by him to obtain reminiscences of President Maxcy to enrich the Memoir, yet they have been unsuccessful; and the facts embodied in this sketch have been derived almost entirely from conversations with his pupils and friends, and other scattered sources of information. He is convinced, therefore, that he needs the candor of the public with respect to the imperfect miniature here given of this remarkable man. On all subjects President Maxcy thought for himself, and the Editor considers that it is a mere act of justice to let him express his own views without comment. He cannot, however, be considered as pledged to every opinion of the Author, or the inferences which may be drawn from them. Dr. Maxcy possessed that catholic spirit which resulted from deep piety and high mental endowments, and he could not substitute the shibboleth of a party, in the place of love to God, and the practical exhibition of the Christian virtues. His great and noble soul was incapable of contracting itself into the littleness of bigotry. The labors of the writer in editing this volume will be amply compensated, should it be made instrumental in the promotion of sound literature, of patriotism and of piety. ROMEO ELTON. New Haven, June, 1844. CONTENTS. PAGE. Epitaph written by Dr. Maxcy's father, Biographical notice of the Hon. Samuel Eddy, LL. D. Biographical notice of President Manning, President Manning's Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode- SERMONS. 1. A Sermon on the Existence of God demonstrated from the 2. A Discourse on the Atonement, delivered Nov. 11, 1796, 53 3. A Discourse on the Atonement, delivered Nov. 25, 1796, 4. A Sermon preached at the Dedication of the Meeting House, 5. A Sermon preached at the Annual Convention of the War- 6. A Sermon preached before the Providence Female Charita- 7. A Sermon preached before the Charleston Baptist Associa- tion, at their Annual Convention, 8. A Funeral Sermon occasioned by the death of President 9. A Sermon on the death of Welcome Arnold, Esq., 10. A Sermon on the death of Mrs. Mary Gano, consort of the 11. A Funeral Sermon preached before both branches of the Leg- islature of the State of South Carolina, 13. A Sermon delivered to the Senior Class in Rhode-Island Col- 14. An Anniversary Sermon delivered on Lord's day, Dec. 1, 1816, being the day previous to the Commencement of ADDRESSES. 1. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode Island Col- 2. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode Island Col- 3. An Address delivered to the Candidates for the Baccalaureate of Rhode Island College September 2, 1801, 4. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode Island Col- 5. An Address delivered to the Baccalaureate of the South- ORATIONS. |