"Our dear Father in heaven has filled His blessed book - the Bible - with interesting histories of the lives and characters of great and good men who have been His servants and followers from the beginning of the world; so that we, who live in these later times, may learn of their thoughts and actions and be made better by them. The Apostle James shows us the use God intends we shall make of these histories, when he says: 'Take, my brethren, the prophets for an example.' This means we should study the lives of the holy men of whom we read in the Bible, until we get the model points of their character impressed upon our minds; and then by the grace of God we may be able to bring these virtues forth again in our own hearts and lives.
"The author of this book has endeavored to place before young readers, in a clear and forcible manner, the admirable traits of character possessed by some of the great men of the Bible. The advantages to be gained by following these BIBLE MODELS are plainly shown by many interesting stories drawn from actual life. It is hoped that not only young, but older persons also will find pleasure as well as profit in the pages of this volume; and that, perhaps, as they become familiar with the lofty examples held up to their gaze, their hearts will go out in earnest prayer that 'God may give them grace to follow His blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, so they may come to the unspeakable joys which he has prepared for those who unfeignedly love Him.'" - from the Author's Preface
