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Being Conversations and Letters of Nicholas Herman, of Lorraine
(Brother Lawrence). Translated from the French.
Publishers of Evangelical Literature.
This book consists of notes of several conversations had with, andletters written by Nicholas Herman, of Lorraine, a lowly and unlearnedman, who, after having been a footman and soldier, was admitted a LayBrother among the barefooted Carmelites at Paris in 1666, and wasafterwards known as "Brother Lawrence."
His conversion, which took place when he was about eighteen years old,was the result, under God, of the mere sight in midwinter, of a dryand leafless tree, and of the reflections it stirred respecting thechange the coming spring would bring. From that time he grew eminentlyin the knowledge and love of GOD, endeavoring constantly to walk "asin His presence." No wilderness wanderings seem to have intervenedbetween the Red Sea and the Jordan of his experience. A whollyconsecrated man, he lived his Christian life through as a pilgrim—asa steward and not as an owner, and died at the age of eighty, leavinga name which has been as "ointment poured forth."
The "Conversations" are supposed to have been written by M. Beaufort,Grand Vicar to M. de Chalons, formerly Cardinal de Noailles, by whoserecommendation the letters were first published.
The book has, within a short time, gone through repeated English andAmerican editions, and has been a means of blessing to many souls. Itcontains very much of that wisdom which only lips the Lord has touchedcan express, and which only hearts He has made teachable can receive.
May this edition also be blessed by GOD, and redound to the praise ofthe glory of His grace.
The first time I saw Brother Lawrence, was upon the 3d of August,1666. He told me that GOD had done him a singular favor, in hisconversion at the age of eighteen.
That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, andconsidering that within a little time the leaves would be renewed andafter that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view ofthe Providence and Power of GOD, which has never since been effacedfrom his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from theworld, and kindled in him such a love for GOD, that he could not tellwhether it had increased during the more than forty years he had livedsince.
That he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the treasurer, and that hewas a great awkward fellow who broke everything.
That he had desired to be received into a monastery, thinking that hewould there be made to smart for his awkwardness and the faults heshould commit, and so he should sacrifice to GOD his life, with itspleasures: but that God had disappointed him, he having met withnothing but satisfaction in that state.
That we should establish ourselves in