1951 Evangelicalism in England by Poole-Connor

Evangelicalism in England by E J Poole-Connor (Henry E Walter)

 

Foreword

Why the veteran author of this book should deem a Foreword to be necessary I cannot imagine. He bears an honoured name among all Evangelicals, and his ceaseless labours to further every Evangelical cause are well known to all.

However, as he desires it, I am happy and honoured to have the opportunity of writing a word which may prove to have the function of an appetiser. I write gladly and freely because I am able to recommend this book wholeheartedly. Though I can claim without immodesty that the subject matter was in the main very familiar to me - indeed represents the favourite field of my leisure reading - I nevertheless found the book to be absorbingly interesting and fascinating, and the last chapter especially, most moving and elevating. Our author commands a charming and yet powerful style, and he has evidently not read his Macaulay in vain.

It is a most timely and much needed book. The so-called Ecumenical Movement will, of necessity, cause all Evangelicals to re-examine and re-consider their position more and more. It has already done so in many countries, and there is much uneasiness in many minds in this country.

Our first duty, therefore, is to make certain that we are clear as to the meaning of our terms. What do we Evangelicals represent, and how can that be determined? This book is an answer to these questions.

The answer is given in what all must surely agree is the most interesting manner - the historical. Here, doctrine and personalities, and the clash of historical forces and incidents are all blended together in a most admirable sketch and review of the history of Evangelicalism in this country.

I cannot imagine a better introduction to that great story. It is a masterpiece in the art of compression. Its greatest merit, however, is that it is balanced and fair, objective and judicial. As one would expect of him, the author does not obtrude his own views and judgements but allows the facts to speak for themselves.

All who read it, and who have any claim at all to the name Evangelical, must surely be driven to certain conclusions when they have read this volume.

We have a long and glorious history which did not start with the visits of D. L. Moody to this country, nor even with John Wesley.

We are inheritors and custodians of a priceless heritage.

Our position is well defined and perfectly clear, and does not change with the "modern thought" of each age and generation.

I pray that under God's blessing this book may prove to be a call to greater vigilance and zeal in our great cause, and that it will rouse many amongst us so to live and so to witness to our Evangelical faith that we shall not be unworthy of the noble army of confessors, and indeed martyrs, who have gone before us.

D M Lloyd-Jones

Westminster Chapel

London, SW1