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Octavius Winslow's "Morning Thoughts" Or "Daily Walking With God" Devotions readings present brief spiritual expositions of each Bible motto, and encouragement to joyous Christian Living." |
WEB EDITOR'S INTRODUCTORY NOTES for Octavius Winslow's Morning Thoughts." These Morning Devotions by Octavius Winslow are published here just as they were published previously in book form, except that some may have additional paragraph divisions added by the webmaster to make the devotions easier to read from the computer screen, but with the text remaining Winslow's.
NOTE that I have not checked every one of the Bible Quotes used by Winslow. We use and recommend only the KJV at Gospel Web. Notice also that some of the Bible references used in these devotions may be paraphrases, not exact quotes, and some are portions of verses.
Some of Winslow's writings have recently been available in book form from Soli Deo Gloria publishers. They have reprinted some of his work. I have several of his books in my own library. You should order from Soli Deo or through your local book store if you want printed and bound copies of any of his works. He wrote at least 40 books. One of the books he wrote was a book about his family's experiences from his mother's perspective, titled "LIFE IN JESUS."
These brief biographical notes are adapted and condensed from publishers notes, and other sources. I DO NOT agree with him on every jot and tittle, but any or all of his works are well worth the serious attention of Christians today, and deserve space in any religious library. Brother Winslow is particularly known for his writings encouraging spiritual Christian living.
Octavius Winslow was born in 1808, and went to his reward in 1878. He was descended from one of the leading New England Puritans, Edward Winslow, who came over on the Mayflower in 1620.
Octavius was one of ten children, all of whom became Christians and three of whom became evangelical ministers. His father died when he was a child. His ministry for which he is justly famous was mostly in England. He was one of the leading Baptist preachers of the nineteenth century due to the devotional earnestness of his preaching and the practical excellence of his writings. He was a noted speaker, and gave the opening address for Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1861. Winslow clung to the theology of the old Puritans. He devoted his life to the promotion of the precious truths of God. He died March 5, 1878, after a short illness, and was buried in Abbey Cemetery, Bath.
By Octavius Winslow, Leamington, December, 1856.
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
In compliance with a request frequently, and from various quarters, preferred, that the author would allow selections from some of his published works to appear in the form of Daily Readings, he ventures to offer to the Christian Church the following pages. They have been gleaned- with much care, and with a strict regard to variety, yet consecutiveness, of topic; presenting a spiritual, and occasionally a critical, exposition of each Scripture motto. In the large family of similar productions which have issued from the press, he trusts that his little volume- not quite a stranger to some who will peruse it- may find a humble place. Should it, with the Holy Spirit's blessing, drop occasionally a Christ-endearing, heart-soothing, soul-guiding, word in seasons of daily toil, conflict, or trial, his utmost wish in its publication will be realized.
Robert Hall was wont to define domestic prayer as "that border which keeps the web of my life from unraveling." With equal appropriateness this beautiful remark will apply to morning religion. To begin the day with God is the great secret of walking through the day with God. What a privilege this the moment that "slumber's chain" is broken, and we wake to duty and toil- perchance to temptation and trial- to raise the soul to God, and seek to fill it at this Infinite Fountain of life, love, and bliss, with such thoughts, and feelings, and purposes as will exert a hallowing, soothing, and controlling influence upon the day! Before the secular commences, to begin with the spiritual. Before care insinuates, to preoccupy the mind with peace. Before temptation assails, to fortify the heart with prayer. Before sorrow beclouds, to irradiate the soul with Divine sunshine. What a precious privilege this! A morning without God is the precursor of a uneasy, cloudy, and dark day. It is like a morning around whose eastern horizon thick vapors gather, veiling the ascending sun, and foreshadowing a day of storm. "The first thing I do when I awake in the morning," remarks an aged saint of God, "is to ask the Holy Spirit to take possession of my mind, my imagination, my heart, directing, sanctifying, and controlling my every thought, feeling, and word." (See "Life in Jesus, Memoir of Mrs. Mary Winslow.")
What profound spiritual wisdom is there in this conception! What a God-descending, heaven-returning spirit does it betray! How the well of water in the soul springs up! "In the morning will I direct my prayer unto You, and will look up." "Look up!" Ah! here is the true and befitting attitude of the spiritual soul. Looking up for the day's supply of grace to restrain, of power to keep, of wisdom to guide, of patience to suffer, of meekness to endure, of strength to bear, of faith to overcome, of love to obey, and of hope to cheer. Jesus stands at the Treasury of Infinite grace, ready to meet every application, and to supply every need. His fullness is for a poor, needy, asking people. He loves for us to bring the empty vessel. Oh, to have our "morning thoughts" occupied with God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and heaven! Truly this is the border which keeps the web of daily life from unraveling! Dear reader, let your first thought be of God, and your first incense be to Jesus, and your first prayer be to the Holy Spirit, and thus anointed with fresh oil, you will glide serenely and safely through the day, beginning, continuing, and ending it with God.
"Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Your sole glory may unite."