Additional information
by Hannah Whitall Smith (Author)
The digital copies of this book are available for free at First Fruits website.
place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruits
Preface
THIS is not a theological book. I frankly confess
I have not been trained in theological schools,
and do not understand their methods nor their
terms. But the Lord has taught me experimentally
and practically certain lessons out of His Word, which
have greatly helped me in my christian life, and have
made it a very happy one. And I want to tell my
secret, in the best way I can, in order that some others
may be helped into a happy life also.
I do not seek to change the theological views of
a single individual. I dare say most of my readers
know far more about theology than I do myself, and
perhaps may discover abundance of what will seem
to be theological mistakes. But let me ask that
these may be overlooked, and that my readers will
try, instead, to get at the experimental point of that
which I have tried to say, and if that is practical
and helpful, forgive the blundering way in which it
is expressed. I have tried to reach the absolute
truth which lies at the foundation of all "creeds"
and '' views," and to bring the soul into those per-
sonal relations with God which must exist alike in
every form of religion, let the expression of them
differ as they may.
I have committed my book to the Lord, and have
asked Him to counteract all in it that is wrong, and
to let only that which is true find entrance into any
heart. It is sent out in tender sympathy and yearn-
ing love for all the struggling, weary ones in, the
Church of Christ, and its message goes right from
my heart to theirs. I have given the best I have,
and could do no more. May the blessed Holy Spirit
use it to teach some of my readers the true secret of
a happy life!
HANNAH WHITALL SMITH.
Author Biography
Hannah Whitall Smith (Feb. 7, 1832-May 1, 1911) is perhaps best known as the writer of the holiness classic Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, but her interests extended much farther than religious revival. This Quaker from Pennsylvania and her husband, Robert Pearsall Smith, were very much influenced by William E. Boardman and became leaders in the Holiness Movement in The United States and the Higher Life Movement in Great Britain. Hannah quickly outshone her husband in speaking and she carried on an extensive correspondence with many people, but especially women both within and outside of these movements. Hannah befriended social activists like Frances Willard of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and Susan B. Anthony along with other supporters of women's suffrage. She also took an active interest in how the doctrine of sanctification could spin off into religious fanaticism, and so she maintained relationships with Anna Spafford of the Overcomers, who founded the American Colony in Jerusalem and Lord and Lady Mount Temple, who were known Spiritualists. Her correspondence shows a wide area of interests and her very rational approach to holiness is revealed in her religious writings.
