Tapban Pres. Assoén.

7-22-1924

PREFACE.

THE following Memoir has been prepared for two reasons : the one, Mr Hewitson's character-the other, his work.

The singular elevation of his Christian walk, so far surpassing what is ordinarily seen in this age of dwarfed spirituality, is fitted to stimulate the people of God to loftier attainments in holiness, and fitted also to arrest and win to Christ those who "have a name that they live, but are dead.” It is no mere sentimentalist whose character we portray. Genius and high scholarship, dedicated to the service of Christ, and laid "a living sacrifice" at His feet, is the life sketched in these pages. The reader will discover with how fascinating a charm that element invests the man of God.

The great work in Madeira, in which Mr Hewitson was privileged to bear so large a part, is here exhibited in its inner history, for the first time. That movement was not a mere intellectual revolt from the absurdities of Romish teaching, but a wide-spread and palpable conversion of heart unto God-a living scriptural Church called out of the very midst of Papal darkness--a noble band of confessors willingly forsaking houses, and lands, and country, for Christ's sake. A Papist may be detached intellectually from Romanism, without being attached spiritually to Christ. The converts of

Madeira became, not merely zealous Protestants, but living, earnest Christians.

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We are come," writes Isaac Taylor, to no easy and gentle mood of the world's history. This is no hour of leisure, and facility, and soft persuasion. Whoever dares not speak explicitly and boldly, had better not speak at all. The adherents of the gospel must either forfeit all chance of a hearing, or act with a correspondent energy and promptitude. Whatever overloads, encumbers, defaces our faith, should be thrown aside. Whoever is loaded with the stuff of this world, whether interests or prejudices, will be chased from the field, or fall there ingloriously." The subject of this Memoir" dared to speak explicitly." He spoke by his holy life. A soldier, unencumbered by "the stuff of this world," here occupies the field; and he neither is chased away nor falls ingloriously. His watchword is, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness." The watchword he can use without embarrassment, for he himself consciously walks in God's fellowship.

If

What is it which so often evacuates of spiritual power the most polished and accomplished ministry? "A man may preach," says Boston, " as an angel, and yet be useless. If Christ withdraw His presence, all will be to no purpose. the Master of the house be away, the household will loathe their food, though it be dropping down about their tent-doors." And how is the Master's presence secured? Not by a sudden transition from the bathos of a carnal, world-conforming walk, to the altitudes of a professional earnestness or the gravity of a pulpit-hour, but by a habitual consecration of the soul to God-by the tender appeals and the affectionate longings of one who abides in the secret place of the Most High.