The name of this volume, GLEANINGS BY THE WAY, indicates the character of the work. It consists principally of thoughts gathered up--and sketches of scenery, and incidents, that came before the author during excursions made into the country at different periods, within the last four years. For several years the author has been labouring under infirm health, and has found it necessary after encountering the heavy pastoral duties and labours connected with a large city congregation for nine or ten months in succession, to retire from the scene of his ministerial duties, and seek to recruit his wasted strength and enfeebled health amid the retirement of rural life, or the diversified scenes of travel and journeying. During these seasons of relaxation, the author desired still to be engaged in something that might at least indirectly promote the interests of religion. This volume contains some of the things of which he at such seasons made a record. In the tour to the FAR WEST, made during the summer of 1837--and the sketch that depicts the outline of the Mormon Delusion, the author cherishes the hope that facts are brought to light that will interest a large class of readers. And he also cherishes the hope that while these pages may interest the general reader, may beguile a lonely hour--and attract the attention of some who would not be likely to take up a more serious book--the tendency of the whole volume will be to advance, at least indirectly, that cause which lies so near to his heart. With this hope--and not with any expectation of earning increased literary reputation, he sends forth these GLEANINGS BY THE WAY. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. 13 _The Three Gleaners._ CHAPTER II. 25 _Views of Pennsylvania_:--Tour to Harrisburgh--Aspect of the country--The Valley of the Susquehanna--The passage of the River--The Valley of the Juniata--Huntingdon--The Rev. John W. James--His sudden exit. CHAPTER III. 32 _Glimpses of Western Pennsylvania_:--Source of the Juniata--Ascent of the Alleghanies--The summit--The Great Mississippi Valley--Skepticism--Rank growth of religious error--Dunkards--Valley of the Conemaugh-- Moonlight--Singular conversation--Infidel sneers. CHAPTER IV. 42 _Pittsburg and its environs_:--First view of Pittsburg--Its general aspect--Sabbath and its employments--An affecting incident--Orphan children--A Christian father in the midst of his children on the Sabbath. CHAPTER V. 49 _Voyage on the Ohio_:--Travelling companions--Steamboats on the Ohio--The Elk--The Ohio river--The Harmonists--Steubenville--Wheeling--Marietta-- Portsmouth--Kentucky--The dead steamboat captain--Kentucky funeral. CHAPTER VI. 62