All of Grace/To You!

From Gospel Translations

“The Holy Ghost saith, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”—Hebrews 3:7

The object of this book

The object of this book is the salvation of the reader. He who spoke and wrote it will be greatly disappointed if it does not lead many to the Lord Jesus. It is sent forth in childlike dependence upon the power of God the Holy Ghost, to use it in the conversion of millions, if so he pleases. No doubt, many poor men and women will take up this little volume, and the Lord will visit them with grace. To answer this end, the very plainest language has been chosen, and many homely expressions have been used. But if those of wealth and rank should glance at this book, the Holy Ghost can impress them also; since that which can be understood by the unlettered is none the less attractive to the instructed. Oh that some might read it who will become great winners of souls!

The way to peace

Who knows how many will find their way to peace by what they read here? A more important question to you, dear reader, is this—Will you be one of them?

A certain man placed a fountain by the wayside, and he hung up a cup near to it by a little chain. He was told some time after, that a great art-critic had found much fault with its design. “But,” said he, “do many thirsty persons drink at it?” Then they told him that thousands of poor people, men, women, and children, slaked their thirst at this fountain; and he smiled and said, that he was little troubled by the critic’s observation, only he hoped that on some sultry summer’s day the critic himself might fill the cup, and be refreshed, and praise the name of the Lord.

Here is my fountain, and here is my cup: find fault if you please; but do drink of the water of life. I only care for this. I had rather bless the soul of the poorest crossing-sweeper, or rag-gatherer, than please a prince of the blood, and fail to convert him to God.

Do you mean business

Reader, do you mean business in reading these pages? If so, we are agreed at the outset; but nothing short of your finding Christ and heaven is the business aimed at here. Oh that we may seek this together! I do so by dedicating this little book with prayer. Will not you join me by looking up to God, and asking him to bless you while you read? Providence has put these pages in your way, you have a little spare time in which to read them, and you feel willing to give your attention to them. These are good signs. Who knows but the set time of blessing is come for you? At any rate, “The Holy Ghost saith, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb 3:7).

Study Questions: Chapter 1

These study questions were not written by Spurgeon, but have been added by the editors for the benefit of the reader.

The object of this book

1. What is the objective or purpose of this book? What do you think about this objective?

The way to peace

2. What is the point of the story of the art-critic and the refreshing fountain, as it applies to your salvation?

Do you mean business?

3. Spurgeon asks “Will you not join me by looking up to God, and asking Him to bless you while you read?”

What is your response to this? Are you seriously searching for truth in this study?

Whether newly searching for Christ, or already a true Christian, this study has value: to see the clear essentials for eternal life according to the scriptures, to apply them to your own heart, and to learn how to communicate them to others.