Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1844, BY WILLIAM BERRIAN, D. D. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. PREFACE. THIS little manual of devotion was prepared, with the aid of the Liturgy and other devotions of a kindred spirit, at the request of a friend, once an Officer in the Army, but now a Minister of the Church, for the use of Sailors and Soldiers. A perfect adaptation of it to the peculiar circumstances of these two classes of men, could only be made by one intimately acquainted with their respective characters and habits; who had been associated with them in difficulties and dangers; and who would therefore be touched with a feeling of their infirmities and wants. In the absence of qualifications so essential to the proper accomplishment of the work, it was undertaken with diffidence, and executed with fear and distrust. The hope nevertheless is fondly cherished, that the present effort, however imperfect, to supply an acknowledged and deep felt want will not be found so unsuitable to the design as to be altogether in vain. |