The simple design of The Tree of Life is, not so much to unfold the varied and striking phenomena of our Lord's life, as to illustrate some of its leading incidents. His life can alone be properly studied in the light of its doings. It was pre-eminently a practical life. "Not words, but deeds," might have served for its motto. "He went about doing good." It was life for life- life set apart, life spent, life sacrificed for man. Living in a world that hated Him, He yet loved it. Dwelling among a race that injured Him, He yet toiled for it. Belonging to a nation who insulted and rejected Him, He yet died for it. Behold the man! -the God-man, Christ Jesus- and let your admiration deepen into love, and your love constrain you to go forth and live, and, if need be, die, for Him.
Octavius Winslow stood out as one of the foremost evangelical preachers of the 19th Century. A Baptist minister and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon he seceded to the Anglican church in his last decade. His Christ centered works show devotion and practicality.