"LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK" by Rev. William Haslam (1818-1905)
Published 1889, London : Morgan & Scott
Transcribed by Geraint Jones (2005) for http://www.williamhaslam.org/forum/
This eBook uploaded to WattPad by David Haslam (April 2007)
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INTRODUCTION.
IT will be observed, that this volume is divided into two parts. The former contains cases of anxious persons who have experienced conversion; and the latter part refers to converted people who have received a further blessing.
It is an important thing to distinguish between pardon and deliverance, for it does not follow that all pardoned ones have deliverance; nor can it be taken for granted, that they who have received deliverance from any besetment, are necessarily pardoned.
The whole race of Adam may be regarded as criminal under sentence of death. Besides this, they have a diseased nature, so that when the criminal has obtained his pardon, and with it has life restored, he yet needs healing for his disease.
It is clear, we need a Saviour to save us from the penalty of sin, and equally so, that we need a living Physician to deliver us from the power of sin, which is the disease of our nature.
In the frontispiece of this book, we have a picture of children playing at a gate. One boy is seen balancing himself upon the top, with arms extended in high glee, "as happy as a king" - others are timidly clinging to the sides of the gate - others again are pushing the gate to and fro - while one, a representative character, is sprawling on the ground.
Too many converted persons are like these children. They are swinging upon the gate of conversion, instead of leaving it, to pass on their heavenward way.
It will be observed, that I have endeavoured as much as possible to conceal the names of persons and places alluded to, for my object has not been to relate the particular history of any individual, but to state the case for the good of others.
I was upon one occasion visiting a dying girl in Glasgow, who made some remark in such broad Scotch, that I did not understand it. Observing that her mother smiled, I was curious to know what it was. Accordingly I asked, "What does she say?" The mother replied, "She says, Dinna put me in a track"
Dear child! there was nothing to put. But I have often been reminded of her by similar fears in other people. I am aware, that some persons are very touchy about being "shown up," or "trotted out," as some prefer to call it.
If I have occasion to testify about any particular case which God has brought before me, by way of illustration, I advise persons referred to, to be still, and not blurr out, as some have done, "What a shame to show a man up like that!" By so doing they show themselves up.
I have been careful to cover up as much as possible, to avoid identification, and I trust not without success. These stories have been so much blessed, and I have been asked so often to publish these in a book form, that I now comply, with prayer that the volume may help many anxious ones, and otherwise promote the glory of God.
W. HASLAM.
MARINA, ST. LEONARDS-ON-SEA,
1889.
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CONTENTS.
PART I.
[1] FIRST SERMON IN LONDON
[2] A TRANSACTION WITH GOD
[3] THE PARISH CLERK
[4] "I WAS A HAPPY BOY THEN"
