Recommendation
I obtained last summer a copy of “Pkrsonal DeclexsioN AND Revival of Religion in the Soul, by the Rev. Octavius Winslow,” and read it with deep interest, and, I trust, some edification. Deeming it exceedingly well calculated for usefulness in llie Christian Church, I at once cherished the desire that it might be republished on this side of the Atlantic, and am now gratified that this desire is to be realized. The volume is pervaded by a rich vein of sound evangelical sentiment, in a spirit and form eminently experimental and practical. The topics of which it treats are at all times highly important, and deserving constant and careful consideration; but in the present position and aspect of the Church of Christ, when the love of many waxes cold, and conformity to the world is apparently extending and increasing, and the influence of the Spirit in the conversion of Sinners is very greatly and widely restrained, they demand immediate, earnest, and prayerful attention and improvement from every disciple of Christ. The revival of the work of the Spirit in the Churches is intimately connected with and must be preceded by the revival of personal religion in the hearts and lives of Christians. The “time of God’s Aivor in arising and having mercy upon Zion,” is when amid deep searching and faithful discipline of heart,” his servants take plea-VI RECOMMExVDATION.
sure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.” Mr. Winslow has publishi.’d sovc-ral volumes, all of a similar character, highly evangelical, and practical. Two of these have been republished here, viz., “The Inquirer direcled lo an Experimental and Practical View of the and “The Inquirer directed lo an Experimental and rraciical View of the Work of the Holy Spirit.” Very few modern writers remind me more of the marrow of sound doctrine and rich experience in the old Puritan Divines, than the author of this volume. Mr. Winslow has for a number of years pa.st been settled as a Pastor of the Bapti.st Church at Leamington, Warwickshire, England. He was a member of the Evangelical Alliance formed at London in August, where I learned to esteem him in the brief intercourse I had with him, and the spirit which I saw him uniformly manifest, and where I found the general estimation in which he was held by the whole Christian comujunity. I trust this volume will gain a wide circulation in our Christian Churches, and be owned by the great and blessed Head of the Church in rendering it extensively instrumental in reviving personal religion in the souls of his children; and so gradually, largeh, and widely reviving the Work of the Spirit in all the Churches.
THOMAS DE WITT.
New York, January 1, 1847.