To thousands of people, the beautiful hymn Softly and Tenderly will always be associated with an altar, a place where an encounter with God marked a turning point in their lives. Where did the idea for an altar originate? Has it played a significant part in Christian experience over the centuries? Is its use valid today?Questions such as these sent the author on a search for answers. The result is this book, which was not written with final answers in mind. The ultimate value and meaning of the kneeling altar as a means of grace rests in the heart of the beholder.The first nine chapters are devoted to the history of the altar starting with the initial altar built by Noah. Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Samuel, and David all used altars and in different ways. But for the Hebrew leaders the altar symbolized man's encounter with God.In New Testament times the use of the Hebrew altar with its animal sacrifices was no longer needed for the followers of Christ. The symbolic altar, however, was there and was linked with the persuasive preaching of the apostles and Paul, laying a foundation for later use of the altar in the church. The historic portion continues through the centuries noting the contributions of Luther, Calvin, Arminius, Wesley, Edwards, and Whitefield. Their contributions were not to the use of a public altar, but they were to the spirit of the altar and altar call. It remained for Francis Asbury, Charles Finney, and Phineas Bresee in the 18th to 20th centuries to develop the public invitation and a public altar in conjunction with their evangelistic ministries. Cloth.