Originally Published in 1837
It is designed to be an outline of the subjects of prayer. It is not intended to be used as a form of devotion ; but to contain the leading sentiments on the various topics of prayer, which it might be desirable to employ. It had its origin in the Author's own sense of the need of such a work when he became a professor of religion. In his private devotions, as well as in his public prayers, he deeply felt then the desirableness of* some such manual that would suggest the appropriate language, and the appropriate trains of thought on the various topics of prayer. This deeply-felt necessity in his own case, suggested to him the idea that such a work might be demanded also by the embarrassments of others. It was supposed by him—as is undoubtedly the case— that many others may have similar difficulties when they at first make a profession of religion ; and that they would be materially benefited by' some such aid as this volume is designed to furnish. Probably in all our churches there are many, particularly among the young, who experience much embarrassment when called to offer prayer in public, and who would be materially aided by some such work as this, suggesting the appropriate language, and appropriate Scripture passages on the various topics of prayer.—There is no work, it is believed, which meets this deficiency; or which will serve to relieve the embarrassment which is so often felt. Unless I am deceived, this work will, therefore, occupy a place which is filled by no other, and will be found to be a very material aid, particularly to the younger members of the churches.
Albert Barnes was an American theologian, born at Rome, New York, on December 1, 1798. He graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, in 1820, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1823. Barnes was ordained as a Presbyterian minister by the presbytery of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in 1825, and was the pastor successively of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, New Jersey (1825-1830), and of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia (1830-1867).
He was an eloquent preacher, but his reputation rests chiefly on his expository works, which are said to have had a larger circulation both in Europe and America than any others of their class.
Of the well-known Notes on the New Testament, it is said that more than a million volumes had been issued by 1870. The Notes on Job, the Psalms, Isaiah and Daniel found scarcely less acceptance. Displaying no original critical power, their chief merit lies in the fact that they bring in a popular (but not always accurate) form the results of the criticism of others within the reach of general readers. Barnes was the author of several other works of a practical and devotional kind, including Scriptural Views of Slavery (1846) and The Way of Salvation (1863). A collection of his Theological Works was published in Philadelphia in 1875.
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