Preface

70 Isaiah 2:5. — Walking in The Light

PREFACETHE speedy sale of the test half-crown part of “My Sermon-Notes” has constrained me to issue a second portion without delay. These outlines have evidently been appreciated, or they would not have been so largely purchased in so short a time. I hardly hoped to meet with so much encouragement, but I must attribute it to the need of those whom I have endeavored to serve, and to the favorable notices which have been kindly given by the public press with an almost unbroken unanimity.

The fact is that in these hurried times many who desire to speak to edification are hard pressed by the incessant activities of Christian life, and become so jaded and worn that a hint from a brother is absolutely necessary to set them upon a train of thought. He whose ministry is most original will be the first to confess his obligation to his books. He waits upon God for a subject, and as often as not he finds it while reading; neither does he hesitate to say that the Lord his God brought it to him because it came by the instrumentality of another man’s writings. If it be so with the more fruitful, the less fertile minds among us are certainly all the more in need of aid; though it is very possible that they will be more slow in owning it, and more shy in accepting it. They do well to use their own powers, but they will do none the worse if they will condescend to receive suggestions from others.

These outlines were not written to be used as they are. True, they may be filled up with choice original matter, and employed as frameworks in their present form; but more probably they will be taken to pieces and built up in another shape, or they will be cut in halves, or portions of them will be united with other materials. I hope to lend a handful of chips and shavings, or, if you will, a bundle of fire-wood, to a brother, with which he may kindle a fire on his own hearth, and prepare food for his people. Possibly a lazy brother may boil his own pot with my sticks, but even that I shall not deplore so long as the food is well cooked. Should I be so unfortunate as to be a helper to the utterly idle man, by tempting him to gather no fuel of his own, I shall not even then view the matter with despair, for perhaps the idler may burn his fingers in the operation; and I shall fall back upon the consideration that he would have taken wood from some other pile if he had not met with mine. A man will do no great harm with my faggots if he will use holy fire: the truths which are contained in these Notes will injure no man if they be honestly allowed to speak for themselves.

The reader will observe that the paging begins at 201, and the numbering of the outlines at 65; and the fact must be excused, because it will inconvenience no one, and it is a great assistance to the printer. The two parts of the Old Testament can be purchased in one volume for five shillings, and this form will be preferred by many. Yet to suit shallow purses it was thought wise to issue the work in the present half-crown form; the stereotyped plates as at present numbered serving for both purposes. Here is the reason for the arrangement, and I trust it will not cause any difficulty to a single reader.

If life and health be spared, I shall proceed with the New Testament in two volumes of the same size as that which is now in the reader’s hand, or one volume in the large form; and I trust each portion will be as favorably received as the first. When the writer sleeps with his fathers, it may be that other voices will, by these outlines, be helped to preach the gospel of the ages, and so to glorify the grace of our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit breathe upon these dry bones, and make them live! May he fill each preacher’s heart with suitable emotions, and give to his mouth forcible expressions, and may the name of Jesus be thus made known to many of the Lord’s redeemed!

So prays the humble servant of Christ, and of his Church.

Charles SpurgeonWestwood, May, 1885