1872 160 Dear Brother, — The character and action of Laodicea presses upon us on all sides. Our Lord tells us to watch. I feel it my duty to inform your readers who are interested in the distribution of tracts on the continent, that a mutilated version of "Daniel Mann" has been printed, and is sold at Paris (No. 459 of the "Publications Populaires") under the title of "un condamné à mort." The names of the author, translator, and printer are suppressed, and the tract is sold for one penny, or less than half the price of the true verbatim translation, which is to be had from W. B. Horner, Manchester, as well as Beroud and Kaufmann, Geneva; and N. Caucanas, Alais, France. The translator of this mutilated edition has taken care to leave aside every passage which is calculated to reach the consciences of those who, to use a vulgar expression, endeavour to make the best of both worlds; and, in presenting his half-hearted gospel, deliberately takes his place amongst those who cry, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace," who are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Those who have the real welfare of souls at heart must resent with a feeling of profound indignation and sorrow such a shameful distortion of another's work, turning the edge of the truth of God and playing into the hands of the enemy. All thought of the believer's union with a risen Christ, and of the holy walk of faith which flows from it, as well as of the two resurrections, has been carefully banished from this pseudo-French version, and some passages have been so handled as to be made to say the opposite of what was meant in the original. The entire matter of the tract is reduced more than one half. Pages 36 and 52 of the English tract (new edition, revised) have been left aside altogether.
Yours affectionately in the Lord, W. J. Lowe.
"Daniel Mann."
Vinton, Iowa, U.S. of America, Dec, 28th, 1872. Beloved Brother,
1873 223 I notice, in your last number* of "The Bible Treasury," that excuse seems to be sought for the abridged French version of "Daniel Mann "even at the expense of truthfulness.
(*1872, 192: "From letters it appears that the author of the tract has expressed approval of the abridged French form, though it was not asked or given before the thing was done.")
Last summer I received a copy of "L'Eglise Libre" containing an extract of the narrative. I was glad to see it, because it indicated more light among the religious systems of France than in those of the fields I am now labouring in, where the word of God, simply as such, finds little else beside total indifference if not haughty contempt. But, being where I am, I was not aware of any other use having been made of the narrative until I saw the warning given in your Magazine and in the "Messager Evangelique." I could not therefore have expressed either approval or disapproval of it. Not yet having seen the tract I cannot speak save from what others who have read it say: from this I feel compelled in sorrow to repeat the warning already given. When God, in infinite grace, has furnished such a testimony of His mercy and power, I, having been called to pass through it, to see and hear it all, and in whose heart it still lives in all its solemnity, feel ready to warn every one against meddling with it. And when I see people daring enough to strip the truth of its edge, I must conclude their spiritual condition is fearfully low.
Oh! dear brother, how all this makes one long for that day when the blessed Son of God shall be manifested, when men's eyes will no more be on "the generality of French readers," self, popularity, etc., but on HIM who is the way, the truth, the life! Could we all realize better the solemnity of "the judgment-seat of Christ" I dare say we would rather be burned alive than not savour Christ in all our ways.
Your's most affectionately in our Lord, Paul J. Loizeaux.