Devotional

“Of thirteen hundred and forty-three books… written on the subject of Luther… not one is like this one… Some may think that I should have given my authorities and references; but as the book was (made) for plain readers… the mention of which would have interrupted the narrative and been of no service.

If you are looking for something different to add to your daily devotions, you might find Timothy East’s book “Evangelical Ramblings” enlivening. East’s strongly evangelical and methodist perspective is a good counterweight to the lackadaisical Lutheranism we’ve discussed in the past.

Short devotionals for every day of the year. “I am very glad to have the honor and pleasure of being invited to contribute a short word of commendation of this series of devotional readings, selected from the writings of Martin Luther and arranged according to the ecclesiastical calendar of the Christian Year.

Short devotionals for every day of the year. “A pastoral effort, flowing from love to the Lord’s people, and a desire to honor His great name… these little pieces are written to convince, comfort, and correct; to fan the flame of devotion, and to produce holiness of heart and life.

“The translator has found delight for his own heart as well as profitable material for his pulpit ministration, in the translation of these sermons. He has aimed to reproduce their Evangelical soundness and unction in a brief and Americanized form, that he may share with others the pleasure and profit he has received from them.

“In the footsteps of Christ, the Firstborn, we, His brethren, are to follow… The life of Christ is a record of invincible courage and supreme fearlessness… the courage of Christ is of such a nature as to be repeated and wrought in us also, even in the most timid and fearful of human hearts… the fearlessness of Christ alone can implant itself in the hearts of the most timid and shrinking, and give them a boldness as far above mere natural courage as the spiritual is above the fleshly.

“[Luther] felt that many things were wanting in this extemporaneous explication… But as he was satisfied that the sense and substance of each Psalm were everywhere faithfully given, and that a very important part of the true religion was here copiously handled; he was, under these assurances, the more willing to overlook any thing that might be wanting in the way of greater correctness, and loftier language and expression.

“There are many who would be saved, but they will not do that which is required in order to be saved, namely, to endure… and to walk in the grace vouchsafed to the end.

“Amid other employments in this the evening of his long and useful life, Mr. East has, we think, been wisely guided to revise and publish these remarkable pastoral experiences. They include some exceedingly interesting cases of conversion and spiritual revival.

“The Ministers of the temple of truth, it has been said, are of three kinds: first, those stationed at the gate of the temple to constrain the passers-by to come in; secondly, those whose function is to accompany inside all who have been persuaded to enter, and display and explain to them the treasures and secrets of the place; and, thirdly, those whose duty is to patrol round the temple, keeping watch and ward and defending the shrine from the attacks of enemies.