Preface to the 1969 Edition

First published in 1917, this book has been out of print many years. This reprint edition is in response to a number of requests.

J. Frank Shaw is the name of the boy called John in this book. At the time of the first printing his real name was withheld because some persons living at that time did not want his real name used.

As a young man, Frank Shaw was wonderfully converted, went to work at the Gospel Trumpet Co., and married a sister of E. E. Byrum. He preached the gospel and labored as a missionary in the West Indies and among American Indians.

On March 26, 1969, Brother Shaw departed this life at Tacoma, Washington, in his 84th year. A few days before his passing Sister Beatrice Spaur visited him in Tacoma, seeking an expression from him about his attitude toward a reprint of his early life. Following are some of his own words:

“I remember when I was just a boy I worked for the Gospel Trumpet Co…. Sister Isabel Byrum, who was the sister-in-law of E. E. Byrum, wanted to write a story about tobacco. She wanted me to tell what I knew about it. She knew I had been a tobacco fiend. I had used a lot of it since I was a small boy. It is a bad habit. Not until I was convicted of sin was I able to quit it. The Lord took the appetite away. I was never tempted anymore. I hope God will bless that book and the publishers, and make it a blessing again.”

Brother Shaw’s daughter, Barbara, also said, “I hope that book will help some young person to change his life and become like my wonderful dad.”

Praying God’s blessings upon this reprint edition, we send it forth to the reading public.

—Faith Publishing House