"We live in a world of sin, and hence in a world of sorrow, for 'Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.' This being so, it becomes us to learn how to transmute tribulations into blessings; how to turn God's chastening rod into a supporting staff; how to discern the bow in the cloud, while we are still wet with its raindrops of sorrow. It is the design of this volume to aid in this comforting work." - from Editor's Preface. William Bacon Stevens served as editor of this magnificant volume which is as useful to the pastor as the ones to be comforted. Stevens has included excellent articles by men like James W. Alexander, James Buchanan, Robert Candlish, Philip Doddridge, Archbishop Robert Leighton, John Newton, Edward Payson, Henry Venn and Octavius Winslow.