The Salt of the Earth

The majority of those who read this fourth volume in the Truett Memorial Series will readily agree that its title, The Salt of the Earth, is a good five-word description of the late Dr. George W. Truett. The functions of salt in the physical realm were abundantly illustrated by his life in social and spiritual realms. From early youth to the time of his death at the age of seventy-seven his moral earnestness, social grace, mental alertness and spiritual fervor were as healing, preserving, flavoring salt to the multitudes who came into vital contact with him. He never lost his savor. It is no matter of surprise that, during his forty-seven years as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, he imparted much of his spirit to that church which he so greatly loved. The candlestick still burns brightly there. The fourteen sermons in this volume are based on texts taken from the four Gospels, Acts and Revelation. They demonstrate the fact that Dr. Truett always preached for and expected prompt decisions from his auditors for Christ and His Church. He never hesitated to press the claims of Christ upon eternity-bound souls. To him the present was ever the day of salvation, the kingdom of heaven was at hand for all who had eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to respond. He believed that the business of the soul, like the business of the king, required haste. That was one reason why his ministry was blessed with such immediate and lasting results. May this and the other volumes of the Truett Memorial Series serve the worthy purpose of extending in some measure the savor of George W. Truett's character and ministry. POWHATAN W. JAMES