Words Of Loving Counsel And Sympathy is a message of meditation based on the Bible and written by Mrs. Winslow possessed a remarkably fertile, as a deeply sanctified, pen. It was emphatically the "pen of a ready writer," whose teachings seemed ever under the guiding hand of God's Spirit. In this, probably, lay her peculiar gift, and this defined her far-reaching sphere of usefulness. Her yet unpublished remains compose a large amount of material, capable of being, molded into varied forms of sacred instruction and beauty. "What shall be their disposal?" was a serious and responsible question. To destroy them appeared a sacrilege; entirely to withhold them from the Christian Church, a robbery. The present volume is, in a limited measure, a reply to this question.
It is composed of sacred and precious thoughts, culled from her extensive correspondence, bearing, as the occasion demanded, upon some of the most important and interesting topics of the believer's experience. In this department of Christian service, she was, eminently fitted from her own personal and rich experience, her deep-toned spirituality, not less than by the holy and beautiful consistency of her religious life, to be "a succourer of many." "She has been a helper of many and of myself as well." Romans 16:2
The streams, which flow through this unpretending little volume will, it is, hoped, refresh and invigorate many of the Lord's people, whose souls, like Israel of old, are much discouraged because of the hardness of way. The readings, though brief and this will, be a peculiar charm to many, who cannot command time or strength for more, lengthened teaching will be, found to embrace a wide range of topics.
The anxious seeker will be led to Jesus;
the feeble believer will be strengthened;
the wanderer from the Savior will be allured back;
the ignorant mind will be instructed;
the tried spirit will be comforted;
the desponding heart will be cheered;
the tempted soul will be succored;
the advanced believer will be aided;
and even the minister of Christ will be, stimulated and encouraged it is humbly and prayerfully trusted, with the Divine blessing from a perusal of these unassuming pages.
They are the breathings of one who dwelt much in the region of the cross, who often, to use her own expressive words, "took her walks alone" one, who lived in close communion with God, and, who came daily up out of the wilderness leaning in simple, calm faith, upon her Beloved.
As such, it is, hoped they will receive a welcome in many a Christian home, and awaken a psalm of praise in many a believing heart. And, to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit shall be ascribed all the glory! Octavius Winslow, February 1868.
