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INTRODUCTION.

THE Letters of Mr. Chapman are stored with health­ful words in relation to experiences of the soul, the Church of God, the nation of Israel and the world. They lay open a tender interest in the things of others, a heart in which abode the words of Christ, deep yearnings and fervency of prayer in behalf of the ungenerate and of the children of God in every land. They are fragrant with the atmosphere of heaven; he views every circumstance in the light of eternal truth.

In the autumn of 1899 I had on two occasions the privilege of speaking with Mr. Chapman con­cerning the publication of his letters. In the course of our conversation he made the following remarks:  "I should not have thought of it myself; it is a matter for the mercy-seat," and when on seeing his hesitation, I gently importuned, he added: "The writing of letters has always been a matter of conscience and prayer."

In this and in all things from his spiritual birth to is departure from us, his ever present aim was to be well-pleasing to God; his loins were always girt, and thus to those who knew him intimately the rememberance of his manner of life brings a further appreciation of his letters.

These, of which several narrate his visits, many years ago, to Ireland and Spain, are now sent forth with the earnest desire and hope that they may find acceptance in many a heart and that a rich blessing may rest on the reading of them.

Mr. Chapman was often dwelling on truths of which he desired to partake with his correspondents in various distant places. Repetitions will be found -freshness, however, always blending with them. They are left that the habitual trend of the writer's mind may be the more apparent. A few of the letters, as will be observed, were written jointly by him and my dear father.

It will, of course, be understood that in some cases only part of a letter is given, anything of a private nature being omitted.

My large indebtedness to Mr. W. H. Bennet for his kind and continuous co-operation I gratefully acknowledge; to other friends also who have given their help and counsel, as well as to those who have lent me letters of this beloved servant of the Lord, my sincere thanks are offered.

                                                                                                                                  J. HENRY HAKE.

BIDEFORD, NORTH DEVON,

October, 1903.

"Such a pastor was he, so intent

To guard from errors and build up in Christ

Each simple soul; so gentle too therein,

No heart but blest itself it had a father."

                                  "Who never dealt

In the false commerce of a truth unfelt."

                                                          JOHN GAMDOLD

                                                                       (XVIIIth Century).