FOREWORD. HE author of "Sparks" has given to the general public a beautiful volume, containing many of his best reflections upon ethical and social subjects. For a quarter of a century he has been in one place, teaching the people the better way of life, and multitudes have waited on his ministry. Like his Master, he has gone about among the people seeking opportunities of doing good. In a city of more than half a million inhabitants no one is more widely or more favorably known, nor more generally esteemed and loved. Our author has the rare faculty of seeing things as they are, and of interpreting the needs of the toiling masses about him. To instill the gospel of good cheer, and apply helpfulness to these needs has been the passion of his life and his consecrated task. That he has done this well, is evidenced by the warmhearted message he has delivered to the people week after week, and which has always been received with unusual interest and opportunities for profit. Four distinguished gentlemen who read the manuscript before publication have bestowed such high encomiums upon the author's work that it may not seem unfitting to give a brief epitome of their reflections here. The Rev. Dr. Charles S. Albert, Editor of the Lutheran Publication Society, said: "This book will appeal to and profit many. The articles are short, concise, and inspiring for daily use in the Christian life." The Rev. Dr. J. B. Remensnyder of New York, President of the General Synod, said: "These sparks of spiritual fire are things of beauty and calculated to inspire a glow of cheer, inspiration and helpfulness to many a care-laden and struggling life." The Rev. Dr. F. P. Manhart, Secretary of the General Synod and Professor of Theology, said: "The book is characterized by earnest and varied appeals, suggestions and counsels, all calculated to increase kind ness and love, so that men may treat each other as brothers and thus make the whole human race as a common family." The Rev. Dr. Charles E. Hay, Pastor of the Lutheran Deaconess Motherhouse at Baltimore, writes: "A delightful presentation of wholesome truth in sparkling epigram and telling illustration, breathing throughout the spirit of brotherly kindness and love." Many a home will be brightened by these sparks from the hammer of one who appeals for the best individual and family life, and many a toiling, burdened soul will be cheered by the message of hope and promise which gleams forth from the following pages. |