To my revered and beloved Friend, the Rev. William Cuff, pastor of the Baptist Church, Shoreditch Tabernacle, ex-President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
More than twenty-five years ago a gracious Providence brought me into contact with you. I was then a youth with very few friends in this country. In those days I often felt lonely, and bewildered in the great metropolis of the world's mighty Empire. Young and inexperienced, I needed a friend to advise and guide me. Soon I found in you the friend of whom I stood in need. Through you I made the acquaintance of Men and books. You opened your large sympathetic heart to me. You gave me your hand and your heart.
You advised me what, and how to read, and what men to hear and know. It was at your suggestion I entered the Pastor's College. You introduced me to Charles Haddon Spurgeon. You opened your pulpit to me, a young Hebrew-Christian, when I was unknown to the Baptist Ministry. Your great congregations at the Tabernacle cheered and encouraged me to go forth and tell of what the Lord Christ had done for me! In your home you made me at home.
In those days I felt keenly the bitter pangs of being cut, off by my father, mother, sisters, and friends, through my faith in Christ, the Lord then gave me the happiness of the confidence and love of your whole family circle. What a sanctuary your study has been to me How you prayed and talked with me about divine things! In hours of mental struggle you helped to fortify my mind against doubt and establish me on the rock of truth. To you, more than to any living man, I am a debtor. Following your advice I gave up my secular calling for the Christian ministry. You afterward persuaded me to give myself to the work of the Evangelization of my Jewish brethren in connection with the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews. True friendship is heaven's precious gift. You are such a gift of God to me! I praise the name of the Lord for that friendship which has strengthened, cheered, and blessed me so much. May you long be spared to help, encourage and bless others as you have done me.
At the request of my friend, the publisher of the "Story of My Life," I beg to dedicate this new and enlarged edition to you, and have the honor to inscribe myself,
Your ever grateful and affectionate friend.
ISAAC LEVINSOHN.
Various letters of interest from Pastor C. H. Spurgeon, Pastor W. Cuff, and from many other well-known Christian friends, will be found at the end of the "Story,"
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