Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
In 1999, when Joshua Press of Dundas, Ontario, began a series of selections from the works of various Reformed authors that was entitled “Classics of Reformed Spirituality,” my friend George McGuinness—who was pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Memphis, Tennessee, at the time—suggested that the series include one of his favorite authors, Alexander Whyte. Undoubtedly the fact that Whyte was a fellow Scotsman played a part in George’s suggestion! George actually went on to draw up a sketch of Whyte’s life, some of which has been incorporated into the biographical outhne in this book, and provided a dozen or so extracts from Whyte’s books. Though only a few of these extracts are included in the present volume, George’s manuscript was what got me reading Whyte, and I am deeply grateful for this exposure to one of God’s giants from the late nineteenth century. It was because of George’s formative role at the outset of this project and his contributions to the final product that I have included his name with mine on the title page.
The bulk of this work was completed during a time of study and teaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary during the summer of 2002. I am deeply grateful to that seminary and its leadership for my ongoing involvement as a visiting professor. But I would be very remiss not to mention my own seminary, Toronto Baptist Seminary, where I serve as Principal. This school and its leadership—in particular, its President, Dr. Glendon Thompson, to whom I have dedicated this small work—has also encouraged my involvement in literary projects like this one and for that I am deeply grateful.
The title of the book was suggested by certain remarks made by Rev. Kenneth Stewart during a sermon I heard him preach at Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland on the Lord’s Day, May 16, 2004.
May the vision of God that filled the horizon of Alexander Whyte’s life captivate all who read these extracts from the pen of that godly man.
Michael A. G. Haykin
Dundas, Ontario
September 2, 2006