The Altar Service: A Symposium

From the preface:

We offer this symposium from the most prominent and successful altar workers in the field. This compilation contains the wisdom and experience of half a century of successful revival work.

When Rev. J. S. Inskip, that prince of altar workers, died, many of the leaders of the holiness movement felt that there was scarcely any one to carry on the work of the altar successfully. The work had been largely conducted by him in the great National meetings. Since that time God has raised up a host of successful altar workers, amidst many who are bunglers.

God has greatly blessed the altar service both in the past and present. We have noticed that as a rule those who say the altar has become antiquated and not up-to-date, fail to deliver a message that makes men feel the need of immediate decision. An urgent gospel demands an immediate decision.

It has been said by those who do not wish to be disturbed in their spiritual sloth, that the truth we preach is all right and that they believe in it, but do not “like the methods.” When questioned closely, it is discovered that it is the altar and its line of separation that is objectionable. It makes men take sides and God sent his ministry in all ages to make men take sides. “Who is on the Lord’s side?” said Moses, “let him come unto me.” “Choose you whom ye will serve,” was the startling demand made upon the people by Joshua. The Galilean carpenter has made the altar his “work bench,” where he has turned out some of the finest specimens of his work.

Let those who have no message of immediateness decry the altar, but until some method is found that will clinch and rivet the truths of the sermon into more immediate results, thousands of happy, successful Christian workers will find in the altar the same glorious success which attended the labors of our fathers.

Until something is found that works with better results the altar will remain.

Great caution, skilled adaptation, and divinely imparted wisdom are necessary to properly conduct the altar service. On the one hand a certain class make it mean nothing. On the other hand another class make it mean too much, and still another do not get enough out of it. We have long felt a crying need for better altar work generally and for this reason this book has been compiled.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: By Beverly Carradine
CHAPTER 2: By Samuel Logan Brengle
CHAPTER 3: By Bushrod Shedden Taylor
CHAPTER 4: By Christian Wismer Ruth
CHAPTER 5: By Charles J. Fowler
CHAPTER 6: By Milton Lorenzo Haney
CHAPTER 7: By Delos Ferdinand Brooks
CHAPTER 8: By Isaiah Reid
CHAPTER 9: By William H. Huff
CHAPTER 10: By Joseph H. Smith
CHAPTER 11: By George Asbury Mclaughlin

About the author:

Beverly Francis Carradine (April 4, 1848 – April 22, 1931) was an American Methodist minister, and a leading evangelist for the holiness movement. He was a productive author, writing primarily on the subject of sanctification.

He served in the Confederate Cavalry during the American Civil War, and later in his lafe studied pharmacy and also worked in a store as a clerk and bookkeeper.

Unlike many ministers, Carradine was not converted to Christianity until the age of 26. He was licensed to preach only three months later, and continued in the service of God for the remainder of his life.

He was a prolific author, and wrote more than two dozen books. Throughout his life, he was influential in the holiness movement, and continues to be a blessing generations later.