The saying, "Necessity is the mother of Invention," finds nowhere amore vivid illustration of its truth than in the publishing enterprisesof the modern Holiness movement. The onward movement of the Holy Ghostalong Pentecostal lines, convicting of depravity, creating aclean-reading public, and endueing with power both pulpit and pew, hasresulted in a constant and growing demand for full-salvationliterature. Tens of thousands of pulpits do an active business on boththe wholesale and retail plan, with science and philosophy as stock intrade. Famishing congregations are proffered the bugs of biology, therocks of geology, and the stars of astronomy until their souls revolt,and they demand bread and meat.
The great soul-cry is being met and answered by the publication anddistribution of soul-feeding, spirit-inspiring, health-giving Holinessbooks and papers. God is raising up writers and editors from whose penspour melted truths, to the edification and blessing of thousands.
In this little book we have a production in which the author has madelittle attempt at the elucidation of doctrine or the waging ofcontroversy, but in great simplicity and directness he has presentedthe truth with a view to helpfulness, desiring to introduce reallyhungry souls into the Canaan life, and provide a well-loaded table ofrich provisions for those who are already "in the Land."
We believe that there is a warmth, fervor and glow about the pages ofthis volume which will be most refreshing to many, many readers. Maythe Holy Spirit put His seal upon it and give it an extensivecirculation.
SETH C. REES.
PROVIDENCE, R. I., NOVEMBER 15, 1898.
No one who accustoms himself to the observation of spiritual tides,winds and currents can be ignorant of the fact that the devout men andwomen of the present are earnestly inquiring, "What is sanctification?What does holiness mean?" They are demanding of the pulpit and of thechurch editor something more than the time-worn and moth-eaten excusesfor not teaching a deeper work of grace. The "seven thousand" who havenot "bowed the knee" to the modern Baals are insisting that, if God'sWord teaches entire sanctification for the disciple of Christobtainable by faith now, they must possess themselves of this heavenlygrace.
It is with the purpose and hope that some seeking heart may be helpedthat these pages are penned. The author has purposely avoided allcontroversial matter. We would not assume the role of the doctrinaireeven were we capable of it. "Not controversy, not theology, but to savesouls," as Lyman Beecher said when dying.
This book has been written in the midst of labo