“Beauty for Ashes” (A REVIEW).—This new book, by Mr. William Wileman, London, is largely a record of the Lord’s dealings with the author in providence and in grace. He is a worthy Christian gentleman, whose experience, as recorded in this book, will cheer many of the Lord’s people. His parents were Strict Baptists of the Philpot stamp. His mother especially was a beautiful Christian lady, and Mr. Wileman’s chapter on “My Mother” is particularly touching.
Mr. Wileman has recollections of the striving of the Spirit of the Lord with him as far back as he can remember. In this book he ventures to make a distinction between the natural striving of the Spirit and that striving that terminates in conversion. He says (page 14): “Those convictions, which are natural, may appear to be very deep at first, but they gradually lose their force until they die out. But those that are gracious, however they may recede for a time, are sure to return with renewed force.” It is very difficult to distinguish between the common striving of the Spirit and that which ends in conversion, but we think Mr. Wileman’s distinction worthy of notice.
Mr. Wileman has been from his youth a lay preacher. His theology is strictly Calvinistic, but he is by no means a Strict Baptist. The writer has met several lay preachers in England of the Strict Baptist persuasion, who had to give up the Strict Baptist view of the free offer of the Gospel. Mr. Wileman is one of those; another is Mr. Thomas Chesterfield, of the Baptist Chapel, Alton. These men, by their conscientious stand for a Scriptural doctrine, have been to a large extent left alone by other godly ministers of their own denomination, yet we may say of them that they are “not alone, for the Father is with them.”
Mr. Wileman was for a number of years a second-hand bookseller in London. He was also the editor of a Children’s Magazine—still carried on by his son—called the Gospel Echo. He is a lover of children, and in “Beauty for Ashes” he appeals to the child mind as well as to the mature Christian. In such a story as “Little Willie” he brings out very beautifully the impressions of early conviction. Mr. Wileman has also been from his youth a hymn-writer. In England, even among the true people of God, sound hymns are their only medium of praise, and, although these are used in the public worship, they are looked upon more as human expressions of devotion rather than as divinely inspired. In this sense they are put on the level of sermons as channels through which God speaks to His people. At the same time, we hold that they are losing much by not having the inspired Psalms in praise.
Mr. Wileman is a true spiritual poet. He is an author of no mean repute, for he has written several books. This latest, however, is the “good wine.” It is really delightful to find one who has come to the top, so to speak, of Calvinism through the personal teaching and guidance of God’s Spirit in the Scriptures. Such is Mr. Wileman in “Beauty for Ashes.” The book may be had from the author’s son, Mr. Clement Wileman, 27 Sydney Grove, Hendon, London, N.W., and the price is 3/6 net.—A. M’K.