- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
THE EDITOR’S LETTER.
Dear Friends,
This edition of ‘The Overcomer’ reaches a mile stone in the publication of the magazine This is the one hundredth edition since it was first edited and published in January 1909 by Mrs Jessie Penn-Lewis. That is 108 years ago but during the two World Wars publication had to be postponed because of lack of paper and because it could not be sent out. ‘The Overcomer’ was originally produced as an eight page ‘paper’ costing 1 penny. It was published monthly until the outbreak of the First World War when it was discontinued. When it was again published after the war it was printed quarterly in January, April, July and October.
After Mrs Penn-Lewis’s death her secretary Miss Mary Garrard continued to edit the magazine until Capt. J.C.Metcalfe took on the task after the Second World War. It continued as a quarterly publication till 1994 when under the editorship of Rev. Nic Carr the decision was made to reduce to three publications a year, which first took place in 1995 in March, July and November. It has continued in its world-wide ministry since then.
The following extract was printed in the first edition of ‘The Overcomer’ magazine:
THE OVERCOMER.
A Record of the Triumphs of the Cross.
Series 1. No. 1. January 1909.
OUR TITLE.
When the “Word of the Cross" paper was issued in October 1908, it was thought that it should be continued during 1909, and be issued from time to time as before. But in November it was very definitely laid upon Mr. Evan Roberts that the occasional paper should be merged into a little monthly paper, called ‘The Overcomer’ and its scope enlarged to admit messages on the purpose and conditions of Revival, articles on various aspects of the message of the Cross in their relationship to Revival, and above all the maturing of the “Church of the First-born” - the overcomers - which is the objective of Revival in these closing days of the age.
Step by step the Lord has led on, and made clear His will to meet a definite need among the children of God in such a paper, which is now sent forth in His Name to accomplish that whereunto He sends it. Its title is a true one, for it goes forth, first and foremost, to proclaim with no uncertain sound the atoning work of the God-man on the cross, and all that Calvary means in its height and depth and breadth and length, to meet the deepest and entire need of an utterly fallen creation. And to preach the Cross today in its atonement for sin, the identification of the sinner with the Saviour in His death upon the cross, separation by the cross from the world, and the complete overthrow of Satan by the Christ upon the cross, and victory over all the conquered forces of evil through His Name. All this demands nothing less than being an Overcomer indeed.
For, increasingly, every step of advance in the proclamation of the conquering might of the crucified and ascended Saviour, is contested by the satanic prince of the aerial host, and only those who know, not only the power of the sacred Blood of the Lamb, their identification in death with the Saviour and therefore joint-life with Him in His risen and ascended power, can overcome so as to sit down with Him in His Throne of Intercession, and finally inherit all things as co-heir and co-ruler with the Son of God, the Firstborn of many brethren.
We trust that the magazine has continued this ministry and that God will continue to work out His purposes through its publication.
May you know His enabling, blessing and guidance as you go forward with Him into yet another year.
Yours in the Saviour’s Name,
Michael Metcalfe.