These pages contain the substance of two Lectures, which, in connection with the working of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, were lately addressed to the Medical Pupils of the Edinburgh School, and have been re-delivered to a more general audience, by desire of the Young Men’s Sabbath Observance Society. Published by request, they will be found to constitute little more than an outline of the important subject treated of; a sketch, however, which it is hoped may be filled up at another time—perhaps by another and more competent hand.
Some will receive favourably the little volume, in homage to the cause that is advocated, and in deference to the motive which prompted to the task. Some may speak of mistaken zeal, and of the propriety of professional men confining themselves to their own peculiar spheres of labour. Some may scoff and sneer at what they deem fanaticism and folly. The first class of readers the Author will thank for their goodwill. The second, he hopes, will come to see that nothing has been attempted but what was both proper and incumbent. And should the class of more strenuous objectors unhappily predominate; should it be that Scotland has, indeed, fallen away from the “old path” in this weighty matter—plainly there is an urgent need for the use of
* Professor Miller was in his day Surgeon in Ordinary to Queen Victoria, and to H.R.H. Prince Albert, for Scotland.
every means calculated to stay and turn such dangerous and downward change ; and little apology is required for sending forth even this feeble shaft, winged, as it is, with Asa’s prayer—” Lord, it is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power : help us, O Lord our God ; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God ; let not man prevail against Thee.”
— PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
The argument has experienced more favour and less opposition than the Author expected. For this he is very thankful. In the present edition he has dealt with such of the few hostile criticisms as seemed to deserve notice.