PREFACE

^[p. 118] PREFACE

The entries in the following collection were written, dictated, or spoken, by the Lord’s beloved and honoured servant — J.B.S., during the time of extreme bodily prostration which elapsed between the beginning of his illness in October 1895 and May 1897, when he entered into rest. A few of the earliest extracts of the letters were written by himself, until he became too weak to hold a pen, after which he dictated letters as well as papers; the latter are printed elsewhere. It will be observed that some of the entries are marked with a dagger †, which is intended to distinguish them from the dictated pieces, as they were uttered at different times (sometimes in the night) and jotted down, without his knowledge, and with no thought of publication, but for the comfort of those who loved him. Both the letters and utterances are interesting as giving a little insight into the blessed way in which the Lord led him from the beginning to the end of a period of such constant weariness, and often suffering of body, keeping his heart and mind free from its pressure for heavenly things, by so graciously ministering to him His support and sympathy, and giving him such deep enjoyment in Himself, in ‘the scene of His glory and power, outside of everything here’, as he himself expressed it. How he was sustained by the Lord up to the last moment, in vigour of mind, and unclouded joy in Himself above, as well as in unfailing devotion of heart to His interests on earth, may be gathered in a measure from the extracts. They are sent forth with the simple desire of encouragement to the Lord’s people in shewing how His gracious ministry can be known in nature’s extremity, by one whose heart is set on Christ in glory; and as an illustration of the word: “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4: 16).

November, 1897.