Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. * * * * * [Illustration: cover] THE SHEEPFOLD AND THE COMMON. [Illustration: DRAWN BY G. H. THOMAS. ENGRAVED BY W. L. THOMAS. THE OLD SHEPHERD. Vol. i. page 2.] [Illustration: the Sheepfold and the Common OR WITHIN & WITHOUT. Blackie & Son Glasgow Edinburgh and London.] THE SHEEPFOLD AND THE COMMON: OR, WITHIN AND WITHOUT. VOL. I. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."--JOHN x. 27. "Them that are without God judgeth."--1 COR. v. 13. [Illustration: logo] BLACKIE AND SON: GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, LONDON, AND NEW YORK. MDCCCLXI. GLASGOW: W. G. BLACKIE AND CO., PRINTERS, VILLAFIELD. PREFACE. This Work was originally published, above thirty years ago, under the title of the _Evangelical Rambler_. It has long been out of print; and its republication at the present time has been recommended, as calculated to assist in arresting the progress of some popular errors and dangerous institutions, and in aiding the advancement of truth and social happiness. This opinion was strengthened by a knowledge of the fact, that, according to the most accurate calculations, from sixty thousand to a hundred thousand copies of the Work, under its original title, were issued from the English press, whilst in America it obtained an equally extended circulation; and from the still more important fact of the Author having received, from a large number of persons, assurances, both by letter and personal interviews, of their having derived their first religious impressions and convictions from perusing its pages. A new and thoroughly-revised Edition is, therefore, now issued, under the title of "THE SHEEPFOLD AND THE COMMON," as being more descriptive of the aim and intention of the Work than its former name.