E J Poole-Connor 1872-1962 Contender for the Faith by D G Fountain
Foreword
I have much enjoyed reading this account of the life and doings of my friend, the late Rev. E. J. Poole-Connor. The question often arises as to who is worthy of such notice. The Victorians and Edwardians clearly overdid this, and gave posthumous fame to men who, while good and worthy and who did good work in their day and generation, have little to say to subsequent generations. We to-day have tended to go to the other extreme, and on the whole, rightly so.
There is no question, however, of the rightness of issuing this volume and that for one special reason. Mr. Poole-Connor was a very able man who lived to a good old age and who was busy in many spheres for a long period. His work as a preacher was appreciated by congregations large and small up and down the country, and I personally can testify to the invaluable character of his work and stimulus in connection with the Evangelical Library. He was also a friend of many other causes and gave of his time and advice freely without ever counting the cost. All that, however, would not call for special biographical notice in this way.
The thing that marks him out and makes him worthy of our attention is his interest in, and his activities in connection with, the leading problem of our age - namely the question of the nature of the Christian church and especially the relationship of the evangelical Christian to that problem.
His own excellent book dealing with “The History of Evangelicalism in England" showed his grasp and understanding of that problem in a masterly manner.
Here, we have not only the essence of that history judicially selected and presented, but also the part which he himself played in the making of that history in the present century, and particularly in connection with the formation the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.
The Rev. David Fountain has produced a perfect blend of history and doctrine which is most instructive and thought-provoking.
The reading of this book cannot but clarify the thinking of all who are deeply concerned about evangelical witness at the present time and in the years that lie ahead. I therefore strongly and heartily recommend it to all such and pray that God may bless it and use it.
There is no question, however, of the rightness of issuing this volume and that for one special reason. Mr. Poole-Connor was a very able man who lived to a good old age and who was busy in many spheres for a long period. His work as a preacher was appreciated by congregations large and small up and down the country, and I personally can testify to the invaluable character of his work and stimulus in connection with the Evangelical Library. He was also a friend of many other causes and gave of his time and advice freely without ever counting the cost. All that, however, would not call for special biographical notice in this way.
The thing that marks him out and makes him worthy of our attention is his interest in, and his activities in connection with, the leading problem of our age - namely the question of the nature of the Christian church and especially the relationship of the evangelical Christian to that problem.
His own excellent book dealing with “The History of Evangelicalism in England" showed his grasp and understanding of that problem in a masterly manner.
Here, we have not only the essence of that history judicially selected and presented, but also the part which he himself played in the making of that history in the present century, and particularly in connection with the formation the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.
The Rev. David Fountain has produced a perfect blend of history and doctrine which is most instructive and thought-provoking.
The reading of this book cannot but clarify the thinking of all who are deeply concerned about evangelical witness at the present time and in the years that lie ahead. I therefore strongly and heartily recommend it to all such and pray that God may bless it and use it.
D M Lloyd-Jones
Westminster Chapel
February, 1966
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