Dedication

It was at your earnest request that I undertook to prepare this Memoir; allow me to present it to the public through you.

That these pages should exhibit a perfect image of your father’s excellence is impossible. The impression his goodness produced on his chUdren, and on the friends who knew his daUy life, no language can adequately represent. I shall be satisfied if you think that strangers will find here a faint outUue of his true character.

The gratitude I feel to your father’s friends, who have aided me in various ways, will be shared by yourself. To the Rev. Dr King of Glasgow, whose communication on the early history of the Evangelical Alliance has been of great service to me; to the Rev. William Guest, who has written an interesting paper on your father’s influence on the Spring-HiU Students; to the Rev. Dr Patton and the Rev. Dr Sprague, who have sent me a large number of valuable letters, — my thanks are especially due. The judgment of my friend and neighbour, the Rev. G. B. Johnson of Edgbaston, has saved me from many mistakes, and would have saved me from many more had his health and engagements permitted me to consult him more frequently.

The interest in my work which has been manifested by yourself and Mrs James, and by your sister, who has often forgotten her sufferings while recalling pleasant passages in her father’s history, has greatly eniv

DEDICATION.

couraged me. From the Kev. Thomas James of London, and from other members of your father’s family, I have received important information. For the Supplementary Chapter, written by yourself, I know not how to thank you.

For permission to insert the Photograph prefixed to this volume, I am indebted to Mrs Whitlock.

Conscious of how impei’fectly I have fulfilled even my own idea of what this Life ought to be, I rejoice that your father’s reputation cannot suffer from my inefiiciency. His usefulness has won him the noblest and most enduring fame. The brightest creations of art must perish, and the glory of literature must become dim; but the tens of thousands whom he taught to trust in the mercy of Christ and to keep His commandments, will regard him with immortal love and reverence.

With very sincere affection and respect,

I am, yours faithfully,

E. W. DALE.

Edgbaston, April 1861.