PREFACE. DOUBTLESS this little Satire will find its way into the hands of many thousands of readers, many of whom may call us infidels, profane persons, and the like; but let us here assure them that their fears are groundless, for profanity we thoroughly abhor, and our intention is to strictly hold the mirror up to Nature, and expose what seems to ourselves, and not ourselves only, making a business, and a profitable business too, of religion-religion that should be held sacred, but is now-a-days followed up as a trade; for we have a converted burglar turned preacher in the person of Ned Wright, a sanctified pugilist in the form of Bendigo, and now, to complete the list, we have the 'cute Yankee Revivalists, Messrs. Moody and Sankey, of whose coming we were forewarned by huge advertisements, by Sankey hymns and Moody sermons, till we wonder that the shade of Luther does not rise up to protest against such barefaced hypocrisy as practised in the Old Country. Truly we are degenerating; but before the half-witted and aged are frightened out of their money by these Burglars, Pugilists, and Revivalists, why do not our Clergy, amongst whom there are plenty of good and earnest men, raise their voices and cry aloud against such unblushing effrontery and sanctimonious. gag. Trusting to attract their attention, if so, our purpose is answered; and with these few remarks to our readers, We are, Yours faithfully, THE AUTHORS. |