Towards the termination of the year 1847, J. Henderson, Esq., of Park,
near Glasgow, a gentleman distinguished for his piety and universal
benevolence, offered prizes for the three best Essays on “the Temporal
Advantages of the Sabbath, and the consequent necessity of preserving its
rest from all the encroachments of unnecessary labour.” In the short
space of three months 1045 Essays were forwarded by Working-Men to the
Adjudicators. Some time afterwards, ten additional prizes were
munificently given by His Royal Highness Prince Albert, in addition to
many others which had been previously announced.
One month had elapsed before I was informed of the original intention,
and at that period the health of my wife was in a very precarious state,
besides which I was myself labouring under great distress of mind.
Notwithstanding these evident disadvantages, the subject being congenial
to my feelings, I resolved on making an effort to express my individual
views respecting the temporal value and importance of the Sabbath-day.
Although unsuccessful in obtaining a prize, there were reasons which
induced me to conclude that my Essay, in its original state, maintained a
most favourable position amidst the host of its competitors. Since its
return to me I have made several material amendments—which I deem it
right to acknowledge in justice to the arduous duties of the
Adjudicators. Several Inhabitants of Chelsea, who had perused my amended
Essay, expressed a desire that it should be printed; and, having since
received increased encouragement, I have been induced respectfully to
submit it to the ordeal of Christian opinion. It is entirely my own
composition, even to its final revision for the press.
It may be necessary for me to inform your Lordship, in order to remove
any doubts as to my being a working-man, that I was apprenticed to the
late Messrs. Tilling and Hughes, Printers, then of Grosvenor Row,
Pimlico; the latter gentleman was a son of the Rev. J. Hughes, M.A., one
of the Founders of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Permit me, my Lord, to express now my heartfelt gratitude for the prompt
and kind permission to dedicate the following feeble production to your
Lordship. I am aware that it must be very imperfect, but I know that God
can impart a blessing even to the most apparently futile means to promote
His glory.