To James A. J. Paterson THE GREAT CRISIS . IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AND ITS BLESSED ISSUES. BY AN OLD MERCHANT OF GLASGOW. GLASGOW : R. L. ALLAN & SON, 143 SAUCHIEHALL STREET. 1895. PREFACE. I WISH to tell how I, an unlearned man, now at the close of the 84th year of my age, was led to write this little book. In the month of April, 1895, a beloved one, dear to me as my own life, lay on a dying bed. dying bed. The thought of the bereavement which was impending upon me, overpowered me with a dreadful amazement. I felt it was my duty to seek for some employment for my mind, to lessen the intensity of my grief. I betook myself to the Bible and to prayer as the only means of obtaining consolation and strength. I was led to read the closing chapters of St. John's Gospel. I was struck with the difference between the narrative they contain, and that of the closing chapters of the other Evangelists, and beginning with the 11th chapter of John, I thought I would try to link to it, and to what he narrates in the subsequent chapters of his Gospel, the relative writings of the other evangelists, and so make a more full and continuous narrative of the last days of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ on earth, than is contained in any one of the Gospels taken by itself. This little book is the result of my endeavour. It has been very profitable to me to write it. It has mitigated my sorrow, enlightened my mind by an |