OPENING CHAPTER

I.

It is evident that on nothing so much depends the success of the cause of Christ as the spirit manifested by His devotees and followers. A leading organ of a great church, some time since, had this statement: "The chief hindrances to the extension of Christ's kingdom are found in the lives of professing Christians who do not illustrate incarnate in their lives the doctrines they profess to believe." If this is so of nominal Christianity, it is much more so of the professors of "Perfect Love." Every professor of Christianity should "walk as He walked," particularly those who profess to have attained the "Highest New Testament Experience."

II.

Sanctification is more than embracing a theory. It is more than bobbing up and, parrot-fashion, saying, "Saved and sanctified." It is a life lived in every day environment; a "living epistle" demonstrating how He walked! Embracing the correct theory, and even receiving the experience are widely different matters from applying that life and working it out in practical life. Failure in the practical outworking of the life has greatly hindered the spread of Holiness. "There is an 'after work' as well as an 'altar work.' "

There are many ten thousands professing "Perfect Love," many of whom seem to think keeping up testimony in approved phraseology satisfies demands in the case -- they are famous for this at "Camp-meeting time," though sad have been the failures between time. Theories which fail in practical application never benefit mankind -- they are relegated to the brush heap as worthless! We are not carping, but stating facts -- the "Holiness movement" needs more "Practical Religion;" more living out in the valley what they teach on the mountain of revival time!

III.

The world waits for the church to sample Christ to it. If there were more real Christ-like walking before men, there would be more testimonials like that excited by shining-faced Stephen's life: "They were not able to resist."

A demonstrator in a great department store tried to interest the writer in a new breakfast food. We were pressed for time and declined the offered sample. But she insisted, "O, just take one taste! Please do! Give it a trial! It is so delicious, served with cream and fruit juice. I'm sure you will like it." We yielded to her importunity and had barely eaten the first exquisitely delicious spoonful until our hand was feeling for the price of a box. Just so when we serve it (Perfect Love) with cream and fruit juice in our lives; people are attracted, like it, want it, pay the price, and get it. O, for more demonstrators of holy living!

The story is told of a Methodist bishop pitying and helping a train fruit vender who failed to sell his fruit. Securing an apple from him, the bishop took his stand conspicuously at the front end of the car. He next held the apple up in the view of the passengers, and taking his handkerchief out, commenced vigorously to rub it on this side, then that, and the other, until it was rosy, red, luscious, tempting, and appetizing. Then, taking out his knife, he slashed off a juicy slice and, with a knowing smack of his lips and look of intense pleasure and satisfaction, ate the apple before the now fully interested fellow-travelers. The effect was magical, and as the formerly unsuccessful vender came" through the car crying, "Apples," hands were thrust at him on all sides and welcome cries of "I'll take one," "I'll take one," "Here," I'll take one," were heard. They had seen a sample! Their mouths were made to water! So if we sample Christ to the world they will want to "taste and see that the Lord is good" and know the blessedness of the man who trusts Him. God help us!

IV.

The growing number of "holiness sheep" must be fed, nurtured, developed, and built up on their holy faith. They need more than a "reiteration of the principles whereby they were sanctified." The Gospel contains food calculated to feed "full-grown" men. This must be dug up and fed them. The failure, no doubt, in the lives of many prominent professors is in a measure traceable to insufficient strong meat. Many imperfections and inconsistencies in conduct are due doubtless to ignorance. None more eagerly desire, and need, knowledge than the sanctified. We have gone on the theory, "Our people are all right because of their great grace and high profession (forgetting much grace does not imply much light) and have passed them by largely in our pulpit ministrations. Instead of "searching them out" and "leading them out" we have thrown bouquets, encouraging them they were the real thing, had the only simon pure, while others are spurious. This course, in many cases, has resulted in spiritual pride and a certain exultation over failings of others (while blind to our own), has warped and produced a one-sided type of character. An asset of power in the future of the "Holiness Movement" will be in the raising up of teachers and preachers especially gifted and anointed, to build up and teach the sanctified -- as zealously desirous of this result as they now are to lead to the crisis of sanctification.

V.

Indoctrination is not so much needed among the great majority of holiness professors! The theory is simple enough and easily comprehended by those who have the experience. But how to rationally advance is the cry of the sanctified heart!

Much indoctrinating has been done among our people. Things they are conversant with are repeatedly iterated and they gladly receive them. But it seems to us (and is also the cry of many of our most intelligent people) that we need more leading out, expansion, enlargement, deepening, and refreshment, than going back to indoctrination!

It is our cry that the justified are in great danger of losing that experience if they fail to go on to entire sanctification. A captain discovered his vessel was fast being driven to the rock bound coast of Ireland. He cried, "Deep water! deep water, men, or perish!" We are coming to the same conclusion for our holy people. It is, "Launch out from the dangers of the shore into the deep of God's love, or perish!"

VI.

The complaint frequently comes to us, many of our books are too deep; they deal technically and theologically with the subject, and are couched in terms more familiar to the scholar than to the common people so numerous among us. We could not, if we would, write for the scholar. We write for the Lord's little ones.

Simplicity is the keynote of this book. It abounds with illustrations so simple, even the "wayfaring man, though a fool," need not misconstrue the meaning. We want our readers to get our idea, not to mystify them, so have avoided intricacies which perplex the common mind.