TWENTY DISCOURSES, DELIVERED BEFORE THE Friends of Progress in the City of New York, IN THE WINTER AND SPRING OF 1863. BY ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS, Author of several volumes on the Harmonial Philosophy. NEW YORK: C. M. PLUMB & CO., PUBLISHERS, LONDON: J. BURNS, CAMBERWELL. 1865. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. "FRIEND OF PROGRESS" PRINT, 274 Canal St., New York. PREFACE. The Lectures of which this volume is composed, were delivered Sunday mornings before the Friends of Progress in the city of New York, during the Winter and Spring of 1863. The subject matter of the discourses, and the language in which they are clothed, were drawn from the inspiration given during the moments allotted to their delivery-sometimes, indeed, the speaker had not chosen either his theme, or the line of argument to be pursued, until he arose to address the congregation. This fact will amply account for both the defects and excellences which may be found sprinkled through the following pages. Doubtless the author would have given more time to the selection of themes and the construction of argumentswhich is ever to be recommended-if his thoughts and time had not been so entirely devoted to many and various. labors wholly disconnected with this course of Lectures. And yet, in the light of his experience, it is questionable whether the contents of this volume would have been improved. If all scripture "given by inspiration is profitable," why may not the same rule apply to Morning Lectures, given under the quickening power of the same. universal principle? That this volume may be a friend to the lonely, a guide to the wanderer, and a ray of light to those in darkness, is the sincere prayer of NEW YORK, June 1, 1864. A. J. D. |