　　For years I have been urged by friends to write what I believe to be the scriptural methods of mission work， and the scriptural character of the churches established by such work， but until now the Lord did not indicate His Will in this way.

　　Personally I felt that my ministry should at all costs be maintained in a spiritual nature without getting down to deal with the externalities of Christianity. But I was led to see that Corinthian truths are just as precious as Ephesian ones. It was the same apostle who wrote the two epostles and he was inspired by the same Spirit. Those who are acquainted with Ephesian truths cannot afford to make Corinthian mistakes. And how many spiritual men are thinking that they can neglect the external commands of God！ Yes， I do believe that mere technical correctness will give no spiritual gain to the saints， but I do also believe that liberty to dispense with what God has already ordered， simply because they pertain to external things， will certainly hinder spiritual life. God is eternal. Everything connected with Him is eternal. The technical side of Christianity when taken alone is dead， but when taken by those who know the power of the Spirit is of eternal value.

　　God's Spirit will only work along God's lines(M. E. Barber) greatly helped me when I started to serve the Lord years ago. And the truth of it has grown with me all these years. It will be well for us to look into God's lines sometime.

　　Towards the end of last year， we had conferences in Shanghai and in Hankow for young workers on the Holy Spirit's pattern in the work of God in N. T. times. Longhand notes were taken on my addresses. The Lord has made clear that these are meant fot publication. I have fully revised them， but because they were my spoken messages to may younger brethren in the Lord， I cannot but retain the character of the messages as spoken. I now send them out with the prayer that the Lord will see fit to use them as He pleases. May the Lord grant greater unity among His many servants and His many children.

　　The spiritual equipment for the ministry has been dealt with elsewhere， these are simply lines upon which the Spirit of the Lord can work.

　　Some have already asked whether this book could be put into English and were rather enthusiastic about it. But should this be the first one of my books to be translated into English？ May the Lord of all His servants indicate His mind.

　　By the way， may I add here that the methods mentioned in this book have been practised by many of my co-workers and found workable and blessed of God whenever there is the necessary spirituality.

　　W. Nee.

　　Jan. 23， 1938， Shanghai.