Introduction
Here is a masterly study of the inner life by a heart
thirsting after God, eager to grasp at least the outskirts of His ways,
the abyss of His love for sinners, and the height of His unapproachable
majesty--and it was written by a busy pastor in Chicago! Who could
imagine David writing the twenty-third Psalm on South Halsted Street, or
a medieval mystic finding inspiration in a small study on the second
floor of a frame house on the vast, flat checkerboard of endless streets
- Where cross the crowded ways of life - Where sound the cries of race
and clan, In haunts of wretchedness and need, On shadowed threshold dark
with fears, And paths where hide the lures of greed... But even as Dr.
Frank Mason North, of New York, says in his immortal poem, so Mr. Tozer
says in this book: `Above the noise of selfish strife we hear Thy voice,
O Son of Man.' My acquaintance with the author is limited to brief
visits and loving fellowship in his church. There I discovered a
self-made scholar, an omnivorous reader with a remarkable library of
theological and devotional books, and one who seemed to burn the
midnight oil in pursuit of God. His book is the result of long
meditation and much prayer. It is not a collection of sermons. It does
not deal with the pulpit and the pew but with the soul a thirst for God.
The chapters could be summarized in Moses' prayer, `Show me thy glory,'
or Paul's exclamation, `O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and
knowledge of God!' It is theology not of the head but of the heart.
There is deep insight, sobriety of style, and a catholicity of outlook
that is refreshing. The author has few quotations but he knows the
saints and mystics of the centuries--Augustine, Nicholas of Cusa, Thomas
à Kempis, von Hagel, Finney, Wesley and many more. The ten chapters are
heart searching and the prayers at the close of each are for the closet,
not pulpit. I felt the nearness of God while reading them. Here is a
book for every pastor, missionary, and devouted Christian. It deals with
the deep things of God and the riches of His grace. Above all, it has
the keynote of sincerity and humility.
Samuel M. Zwemer
New York City