THE CHRISTIAN YEAR-BOOK: A GOLDEN TREASURY FOR THE YOUNG. "In all thy ways acknowledge God, and he shall direct thy paths."-PROVERBS iii, 6. LONDON: T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW; MDCCCLVII. 101. d. 561. PREFACE. THE "GOLDEN TREASURY" is a name dear to many Christian hearts, awaking associations of sacred and affecting interest. Notwithstanding the many similar works which have since appeared, our old favourite still retains its ground, and is circulated among us in editions of every description. Bogatsky, like Bunyan, is still found in the cottage and the palace, the daily companion of believers of every age and station. Some time ago, the writer of the present volume happened to observe, in a list of Bogatsky's works, that he had published a "Little Golden Treasury" for the use of young persons. The idea seemed interesting, and an attempt was made to procure the original from Germany, for the purpose of translation. Not succeeding in this, a plan was formed for accomplishing the same at once in English, and its result is the volume now offered to the public. It will be readily seen that these daily readings are not intended for mere children. The author's aim has been to write a book which might be used with pleasure and benefit by intelligent young people, for several years, from the age of eleven to fifteen or sixteen. The subjects chosen, the experience described, A the duties enforced, are those which appeared suitable for early youth. The writer has endeavoured to present true piety in a practical, yet attractive aspect;— the Saviour as an ever-present, almighty Friend,-His yoke easy and His burden light,-His ways those of pleasantness and peace. May His blessing, which can give success to the most imperfect instruments, render this one a means of impressing these lessons on youthful hearts, "while the evil days come not;" and cause the seeds of truth to take a lasting root, before "the cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life" have sprung up, as thorns, to impede their progress. DECEMBER 1856. CHRISTIAN YEAR BOOK: A GOLDEN TREASURY FOR THE YOUNG. JANUARY 1. THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR. "So "But this I say, brethren, the time is short."-1 CORINTHIANS vii. 29. teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." -PSALM XC. 12. TIME NIME, our time in this world, we may well call short, when we think how much we have to do in it, and when we compare it with the eternity that must come after. How short a while it seems since last NewYear's Day! and how soon this year too will pass away! Even the life of a very old man is but as a moment compared to eternity. But I may never live to be old. Many, very many, who have begun this year to-day, will die before it is ended, and I may be one of them. That need not be a sad or fearful thought, if Jesus is my Saviour, and heaven my home. No one in heaven will ever think that he has got there too soon. But what is my duty now? I should pray with the Psalmist, "Lord, so teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom." Let me seek with the help of God to apply my heart, my mind, this New Year, more than I have ever done before, to true hea |