Introduction

Dear Brother Simpson:

It was a cause of great joy to my soul to read the announcement that the first volume of The Holy Spirit, or, Power From on High, would soon be issued. You will remember that at Old Orchard Convention, last year, I was led to exclaim, “The book of the Holy Ghost is yet unwritten,” and to request the vast audience to rise and pray that the Holy Spirit might inspire Rev. A. B. Simpson to write the work of the age for Him. That this petition is now being answered is the delight of my life.

I cannot but believe that He has selected you for this work of faith and labor of love, and that He has had you in peculiar training and made Himself personally known to you, so that you may be able, with the pen of a ready writer, to make Him known to a hungry, a famishing church and world. I rejoice that you know Him, and that He knows you, and I believe that you know by wisdom from above how to make Him known.

I am so glad you have not written an article, a treatise, or sermons; but volumes — to show His completeness of power, His adequateness and adaptibility to meet every need of body, soul and spirit, for time and for eternity. I have not read the forthcoming volume, but shall do so with intense interest, pleasure and profit, for in it I shall see the mind of the Spirit as expressed by Him through your God-touched pen.

What strides He has taken since you first began to teach Him; with what desire the people receive Him, and the truth concerning Him; and how abundantly He blesses with power all who accept Him. This is the Book of His Age. Thousands will rise up and call you blessed for its publication, and your influence for Him will be greatly enhanced by Him for His glory and the delightful desire of your heart — the coming Parousia.

April, 1895.

Stephen Merritt.