Book Review
by Leroy Gardenier





by Hannah Whitall Smith
Fleming H. Revell Company,
1952; 248 pages

 











If there is one constant, continuing reminder plainly put forth in this excellent work, it is the necessity of a union and continuing unity of wills between God and the believer. I cannot count the times the author reminds the believer that God is "working in you to will and to do of His good pleasure." Innumerable times she wisely cautions the reader that true and lasting union with God has little or nothing to do with appearances, feelings, approval or disapproval of others, but rather in the set of our will. It is by our own volition that we observe the admonition to "wait upon the Lord." It is our personal determination to use the spiritual wings of Surrender and Trust to "mount up to Him" even as eagles.

 

Follow The Lamb Whithersoever He Goeth
The Christian's
Secret of a
Happy Life


       The late Miss Katherine Kuhlmann, who was used so mightily and so marvelously by the Holy Ghost, used to tell this enlightening spring time story. As soon as weather permitted and parents allowed, she and her schoolmates would gather at the local swimming hole eager to enjoy their favorite warm weather delight - a refreshing swim. Katherine described the opening of this annual event as a sort of ritual that was staged with a very predictable sameness year after year. Since the water was "coolish" at best, the girls would gather along the shore of the pond, excited at the prospects of coming Summer fun, but not at all eager to plunge right in. The boys, on the other hand, fought for a place on the diving board. With no more hesitation than taking a deep breath, they dove into the clear, cool Springtime water. As the girls ringed the shore, gingerly, delicately placing first a toe, then an ankle into the shallows - not without much giggling, some complaining and a few well-timed screams, the boys were already cavorting in the deeper water, splashing one another and vying for another turn at the diving board. Not one girl had yet ventured out waist deep when the boys would yell at their shivering, excited but agitated chums.  "You silly girls! You ought to dive right in. You don't know what you're missing!"

The point of Miss Kuhlmann's story was certainly not to inflame the so-called "battle of the sexes" but rather that the contrasting conduct of her classmates at the swimming hole reminded her of the opposing attitudes of so many Christians. There are the few, symbolized by the boys, who hear the Word of God, do it, and bring forth spiritual fruits with joyous exultation. But there are also the girl-types who stand for the majority of Christians. These are they who maintain some enthusiasm in their Christian walk but miss the fullness of joy and satisfying excitement that the Lord has prepared for them. How many Christians merely ring the shores of the great ocean of God's mercy venturing no further than the chilly shallows and spend their spiritual lives in muddied waters ever wondering why their Christian endeavors involve more pain, frustration and agitation rather than the deep peace and longed-for satisfaction that they were expecting?

The pages of Mrs. Hannah Smith's exciting, very readable treatise on the spiritual life shout out to all kinds and conditions of Christians. The message is repeated as various aspects of the Christian life are considered. Less critical and more encouraging, Mrs. Smith's ongoing exhortation is not unlike that of the enthusiastic boy swimmers. "Believe the witness of God! Obey. Take a deep breath. Dive right in. You don't know what you're missing!"

This Quaker lady from Philadelphia wrote this uplifting book during the 19th century, but its enduring truths and principles are for all times and all seasons. Hannah Smith divides her book into three sections: The Life, Difficulties, and Results. The author summarized Part One. "Entering into the Life" in two challenging steps: "first - entire abandonment; and second - absolute faith." A significant "secret" that is revealed in Part Two can help us solve agonizing difficulties associated with spiritual growth. Mrs. Smith writes: "As usual, we put feeling first and faith second, and the fact last of all. No, God's invariable rule in everything is fact first, faith second, and feeling last of all; and it is striving against the inevitable when we seek to change this order." A sample from Part Three would be just one of the results of a life truly "hid with Christ in God". "But when you have learned God's secret of trusting and see the beauty and the power of the life that is yielded up to His working you will cease to condemn, and will begin to wonder how any of God's workers can dare to carry the burdens, or assume the responsibilities, which He alone is able to bear."

Hannah Smith confirmed for me another truth I had learned from Katherine Kuhlmann long before I had even heard of this author. Katherine used to say: "The circumstances of life are not all that important. What is important, though, is how we handle them." Mrs. Smith takes the same important truth and embroiders it with graphic, Scriptural symbols. "Everything that comes to us becomes a chariot the moment we treat it as such; and, on the other hand, even the smallest trial may be a Juggernaut car (we'd say an Army tank) to crush us into misery or despair if we so consider them. It lies with each of us to choose what they shall be. It all depends, not upon what these events are, but upon how we take them."

If there is one constant, continuing reminder plainly put forth in this excellent work, it is the necessity of a union and continuing unity of wills between God and the believer. I cannot count the times the author reminds the believer that God is "working in you to will and to do of His good pleasure." Innumerable times she wisely cautions the reader that true and lasting union with God has little or nothing to do with appearances, feelings, approval or disapproval of others, but rather in the set of our will. It is by our own volition that we observe the admonition to "wait upon the Lord." It is our personal determination to use the spiritual wings of Surrender and Trust to "mount up to Him" even as eagles. Much is left to our own desire and decision to soar above earthly annoyances and sorrows and spiritually, but literally, "dwell in heavenly places." Revelation 14.1-5 gives me a vivid description of my position in Christ. It is yet to be fulfilled in its completeness, but even now it is my will to be counted in that number who stand on the Heavenly Mount Zion. Among the thrilling characteristics that describe this blessed group of 144,000, the one attribute that I covet the most is found in verse four: "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." This heavenly glorification, this eternal privilege of the believer begins with the life of faith even here and now. The author of The Christian's Secret Of A Happy Life reveals this blessed truth by saying: "You have now begun, dear reader, the life of faith. You have given yourself to the Lord to be His, wholly and altogether, and you are now entirely in His hands to be molded and fashioned according to His own divine purpose into a vessel unto His honor. Your most earnest desire is TO FOLLOW HIM WHITHERSOEVER HE MAY LEAD YOU, and to be very pliable in His hands; and you are trusting Him to work in you to will and to do of his good pleasure."

 

< PREVIOUS PAGE
< BACK TO BOOKS