NOTE
BY AMERICAN EDITOR
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This extremely interesting narrative, republished from the London Religious Tract Society’s edition, is from the pen of an eminently pious Irish Lady, lately deceased. Its object is thus stated in one of her letters. She says of it:
“I have tried to produce a faithful and in no wise exaggerated picture of the religious state of my poor country people. Most of the incidents are from life, and for every statement I have authority.”
While, therefore, the volume is very fascinating, it has the higher quality of essential truth. Better than all, it is pervaded by the spirit of Him who has “abolished death.”
Incidentally, it illustrates the insufficiency of the Roman Catholic faith, as now held and taught, to give comfort and moral power to its believers. It also shows the bitterness with which a class of Papist priests meet the attempts of Christians to give the Bible to the people.
D. W.
PREFACE
TO THE IRISH EDITION
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Upon obtaining this reading treasure, there was always a hope of finding a way to get copies of it into as many hearts as possible. The book itself was well worn when first obtained (thus showing that it had been read so many times before), and with all of the new reading it was getting, I was sure to lose some portion or all of it to accident or worse! One such example involved the loss of the 4th original illustration of Donat Riding Home in Mickey Malt’s Cart. That reduced the number of illustrations from eleven to ten - Something had to be done to preserve this book!
So, with much prayer, and encouragement, this edition has been prepared with the hope that people would both enjoy the narrative, and take heed to the message! For it truly demonstrates so clearly the work of the Holy Scriptures in the hearts of such simple and ordinary people!
This work is therefore dedicated to the Author of the “words of eternal life,” and to the precious people who have seen fit to extend the Bible’s message through this story.
C.L.