"Born of the Spirit;" or, Gems from the Book of Life. Zenas Osborne

of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The many years he has spent in the Gospel ministry and his deep Christian experience have not only enabled him to gather many “Gems from the Book of Life,” but also have qualified him to speak with no uncertain sound on the topics treated in his book.

      The arrangement of the work is admirable, being in short chapters, each one complete in itself. May it have a wide sale, not only throughout the denomination of his choice, but also in thousands of homes in the “regions beyond.” And wherever it goes may it demolish error, encourage Christian faith, inspire Christian zeal, intensify Christian love; and may the author, having grown gray and nearly worn out in the service of Christ, find at the resurrection of the just not only that he is counted among that redeemed throng, but also that his “Born of the Spirit,” his “Gems from the Book of Life,” has, by the blessing of God, added a multitude to that count.

      M. N. Downing.

      Binghamton, N. Y., April 24, 1888.

      Dedication.

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      To the memory of her who became my companion when we first set sail on the domestic voyage of life, and who for seventeen years, by her amiability, Christian integrity, and faithfulness as a wife and mother, made home earth’s Paradise; and subsequently to her who for nearly twenty-five years has stood so heroically with me in the joys, sorrows, toils and sufferings consequent upon an itinerant’s life; and to the dear children given to us by these sacred relations, who now, as the infirmities of this uncertain life are coming upon us with sure and certain tread, manifest in the silvery locks, furrowed cheeks, bedimmed vision—all indicating that our sun is rapidly descending the western slope, so tenderly care for us in bearing the burdens of life, and lovingly provide for our comfort, is this work sacredly dedicated by

      The Author.

Preface.

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      My reasons for writing and publishing this book are:

      1—I believe that the Lord wanted me to. The burden has been on my heart for years to do this very thing.

      2—I have a great desire to perpetuate the glory of God for the miraculous power displayed in saving one, who had been so great a sinner as me, and for so many years in the toil and conflict of life, leading me beside the still waters, and into green pastures; delivering me out of the hand of my enemies, and all their expectation again and again; bringing re-enforcements when it seemed that all supplies were cut off.

      3—On several occasions for miraculous deliverance from drowning, when others perished, and for the preservation of life on other occasions, when nearly kicked to death by vicious horses, and badly bruised by them.

      4—Living on the old battle ground, where so many battles were fought between “The Buffalo Regency” on one side, and God’s militant host on the other, and being so well acquainted with both sides, and the questions involved, which resulted in the formation of the Free Methodist Church, and in the order of Providence I was making the Rev. John E. Robie a call when the Buffalo Regency met in council, and determined upon the expulsion of all that endorsed Methodism clean and clear; and then, on the other side, I was often present at Bro. Amos Hard’s when councils of war met, and determined to stand by the “old landmarks,” however much it might cost them.

      Truly, there were giants in those days. A nobler class of saints never wore a martyr’s crown than those of the old Genesee Conference. Their memory is still precious.

      5—To encourage precious souls that have taken the narrow way, that have left old associations that had in days gone by been as dear to them as life, but for conscience sake and the glory of God, had forsaken all and cast their lot in with the unpretentious, whose aim and object is to do all the good possible to the souls and bodies of men, and gain the skies at last. And to persuade those who really desire to be just what God designed we should be, and want all the light and help possible to do likewise, cast their lot in with the few, if the Holy Spirit leads you in that direction. It pays richly to follow the Pillar of fire, even though it may lead in peculiar ways. It is the safe way.

      Every article written in this book has been, we humbly trust, the promptings of the Spirit for the salvation of souls and the building up of the Redeemer’s Kingdom.

      6—It has been frequently stated that the days of miracles are past, and that we are not to expect any very great displays of God’s saving power in these days of light and culture; but these expressions are not in harmony with a thus saith the Lord and experience. My conversion was just as marvelous as St. Paul’s, and what I have passed through, and have seen of God’s power on others for more than thirty years, has been just as miraculous as the healing of the lame man at the beautiful gate, or the man that was blind, whom Jesus touched, “and lo, he saw men as trees walking.”

      That double cure mentioned in this volume was just as great a marvel as the expelling of the legion of devils from the men of “Gadara.”

I.

       A Translation.

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      “Once I wandered in the maze of error,

      In the downward road;

      Oft my soul was filled with fear and terror

      When I thought of God.

      Jesus saw me rushing on to ruin,

      Offered pardoning grace;

      And I left the way I was pursuing,

      Turned and saw his face.

      Chorus—

      Now I feel my sins forgiven,

      Through th’ atoning blood,

      And I have a blessed hope of heaven,

      Glory be to God.

      I am glad I ever found the Saviour,

      Now I’m fully blest;

      There are pleasures in His pardoning favor,

      Joy, and peace, and rest.

      I’m standing on the holy mountain,

      Near Salvation’s pool,

      And the waters from the bursting fountain

      Cheer my thirsty soul.

      I’ve left earth’s vain and fleeting pleasures,

      Bade them all adieu;

      And I’m seeking now for heavenly treasures,

      Lasting, pure and true.

      Glittering toys of time, farewell forever;

      To you I’ll not bow;

      I will leave my blessed Jesus never;

      He’s my portion now.

      I will tell Salvation’s pleasing story,

      While I live below,

      And I’ll try to spread my Saviour’s glory,

      Everywhere I go.

      When the word is from the Master given,

      ‘Child, from toiling cease,’

      I expect to find a home in heaven,

      Home of endless peace.”

      When young, I was “trained up