Marvelous Mercy, as Displayed in the 
Life and Experience of James Smith

I am well aware that there are many objections to a man writing a memoir of himself — but as I have always loved to read the memoirs of good men, so I have enjoyed those most which were written by themselves. Some think a man cannot be impartial when writing of himself; but whenever do we find another man impartial when writing the biography of his friend? Indeed, the want of knowledge as to the experience of the soul: or the want of impartiality in making use of materials possessed, has spoiled many a memoir. However, I have well considered the subject, and have prayed over it, too; and being now near sixty years of age, and having written more than fifty small works, many of which have had a very large circulation — I doubt not but many of my readers would like to know something more of the author than they do. And, as it has for some time been laid upon my mind to do so, at length I venture.
I have always sympathized with the poor of the Lord's flock, and have generally kept them in view in all that I have written for the press. Therefore my object has been to write in a very plain style, and to publish at a very cheap rate. Sometimes, the memoirs of plain men are written in a style the poor do not sympathize with, and are published at a price the poor cannot reach. I wish in my own instance to avoid both these evils. Whether anyone would ever think it worth while to write a memoir of me, I know not, or what use may be made of the somewhat voluminous materials I shall leave behind me, is more than I can tell: nor is it, perhaps, of much importance.