C. F. WIMBERLY

Author of The Vulture's Claw," "New Clothes for the Old Man," "The Cry in the Night," "The Winepress,' ""The Lost Legacy," Etc., Etc.

1

With the fondest recollections and appreciation of one, "in age and feebleness extreme," who taught me the first lessons about the Being of these studies; one who contributed her all to the rearing of noble ideals,

MARTHA M. WIMBERLY,

My Mother,

this book is lovingly dedicated by the Author

Preface

IT is the writer's firm conviction, in these days when the most enthusiastic "bookworm" cannot even keep up with the titles of the book output, that an earnest, sensible reason should be given for adding another to the already endless list of books. We have enough books to-day, "good, bad, indifferent," with which, if they were collected, to build another Cyclops pyramid. The sage of the Old Testament declared in his day, concerning the endless making of books; such a statement, compared with modern writing and publishing of books, sounds amusing.

Every possible subject, vagary, or ism, for which a book could be written, is overworked. Bible themes of all grades, from orthodoxy to ultra higher criticism, have flooded the land. Especially is the iconoclast in much evidence; he is free lance, and shows no quarters. Cardinal tenets of Bible faith, so long unquestioned, are being smitten with a merciless hand. Disintegration is the most obvious fact among us; nothing is too sacred for the crucible of what is termed "scholarship."

But why this book? Let us take a little survey. Over against the modern idea, that the race is endowed with all the inherent elements of goodness necessary to its regeneration, there is a correspondent belief that evil is only an error. When the race