PART I.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
THE BOOK WANTED.
“ PREPARE
YE THE WAY OF THE PEOPLE.” — ISAIAH LXII. 10.
Many have heard or read upon this subject, and
do really believe there is something better than they have found, but are
afraid. They are convinced that there is something in it, but they fear to try
to find out what it is. They are earnest Christians too, and would gladly go
on out of the wilderness of doubt and perplexity if they dared to venture.
They see that there is a land of milk and honey offered by the promises of
God, and would press for it, but alas, the spies bring back a bad report of
the land, “Hard to gain,” say they. “Cities walled up to heaven. Giants in the
land, sons of Anak.” “Hard to keep, even if conquered.” Fear chimes in with
this, and so they shrink back. Or they fear heresy and wildfire. So much has
been written about “ perfection” and “ sanctification” in conflict with the
Bible and church standards, and so many have made shipwreck, and run wild,
that the spectres of grim and ghastly errors rise up to affright them from the
very first step. Now a book which should clearly point out what is warranted
by the Bible and the standards, and show it in plain and full contrast with
what is condemned by them, would be hailed by such persons as an angel
messenger from heaven, beckoning them onward and upward to the land of Beulah.
A few, at least, probably more than any one
knows or thinks, are convinced, and feeling after something they scarce know
what, whatever it is, set before them; but they move fearfully, spectres
affright and hinder, but do not wholly stop them. Or if they urge their way
regardless of these, their struggles are wearisome and vain. Often and often
they put forth the hand to touch the spring of the door, to admit the light,
but alas, the hand finds only the cold dead wall and recoils from it with a
chill, only to be stretched forth again and again, to be withdrawn in
disappointment. With what untold joy, would these struggling, groping ones,
receive and devour a book which should show up to them, the Way, the Truth,
the Life, and point out also the many false ways they must avoid to gain the
true, and walk in it!
Some have already found the way, and are glad
journeyers therein. They are on the sunny side; they have gained the heights
of Beulah, and delight in everything that relates to it. They would rejoice in
anything defining to them distinctly the relations of this blessed Christian
life to further Christian progress, and to all Christian duty.
And moreover, they would be thankful to God for a Book, which they
could safely put into the hands of others, hopeful of good, fearless of evil.
One they could heartily commend as unfolding the fullness of the
blessings of the Gospel, without feeling under the necessity of cautioning and
warning against false theories, wrong terms, or evil tendencies.
The Book wanted, therefore, in this department
of sacred literature, is one that will set forth the truth as it is, with the
clear ring of the fearless silver trumpet, in no uncertain sound.
Whether this shall prove the Book wanted, God
knoweth, time will show, and the reader will judge.