Unto the sick and the suffering, whose weary, thorn-pierced feet have trod affliction's rugged path unto the weak who have need of strength, and unto the strong whose heart would fain be skilled in faith to render succor to the weak, this book is lovingly dedicated in the Name of Him who gave Himself for us and by Whose stripes we are made whole.
Day and night I have but to close these eyes of mine to see again, through misty tears, the drawn, white, pain-blanched faces of the afflicted of my people.
One moment I am all a-weeping for the multitudes shut outside the crowded doors and for the thousands we could never reach, though we toiled day and night;
And the next, my face is smiling, mine eyes are made to shine a-through the tears, in remembrance of the thousands who went away skipping, with singing in their hearts; straightened of limb, clear of eye, and strong of faith; to take up again the broken, ravelled threads of life, and weave upon the loom some brighter, fairer picture of a happy, prayer-filled home, wherein the Saviour spreads His hands in gentle benediction and reigns supreme upon the altar there.
"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from Thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphire. All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression: for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is for me, saith the Lord." Isa. 54.
Should some poor, tempest-driven soul, whose bark is tossed upon the waters of affliction, see, shining through these pages, the bright and steady light of hope and faith, and be guided into the security and calm of the eternal harbour o'er which the Prince of Peace has spread His healing wings;
And should some fellow minister receive new faith and inspiration to go forth and preach the blessed truth of Christ, the Great Physician, whose power is still unchanged and able still to fill the every need of His children (be that need in soul or body)-then I shall rejoice indeed, and the glory shall be His.