The four Gospels, each telling in its own way the story of the Life of
Jesus, are the rich heritage of Christians. No one of the Gospels
could be spared. But in reading any one of the four we miss some of
the familiar words and incidents we love. Almost from the days of the
Apostles there have been attempts to unite the Gospels in a single
narrative. The first of these efforts, so far as we know, was
undertaken by the devout scholar Tatian, soon after 173 A.D. His book
served a useful purpose in his own and later generations, and is now a
valuable witness to the antiquity and early acceptance of our four
Gospels.
There have been many harmonies of the Gospel from the second century
to the present; and they are all but indispensable to the scholar.
Almost every minister keeps one at his elbow. But these, for the most
part, are made for purposes of scholarly comparison, and not for
general reading. Moreover, they are expensive.
The editors of this little book have undertaken to prepare an
interwoven story of the Life of Jesus from the four Gospels for
popular reading. A booklet that may be carried in the pocket, and may
be sold, in paper binding, for ten cents, has been their ambition.
They have been led to this undertaking by the large demand for copies
of their booklet, "HIS LAST WEEK," which comprises the last third of
this volume, whose use at Easter time has brought them many requests
for the complete Gospel story, interwoven in the same manner.
The work of preparation has been done by three ministers of Oak Park,
in suburban Chicago, who have shared equally the labor, but the
undertaking has the support and co-operation of the entire group of
fifteen local pastors, representing six different denominations. To
this larger group of brethren is due a grateful acknowledgment of
sympathy and assistance. The book has at least the value of an
illustration in practical interdenominational co-operation. In the
spirit of this fine fellowship it is commended to Christians of every
name.