Image via author, unnamed lake, Wallowa Mountains, Oregon

The book, “A Guide to True Peace,” was published in its current form in 1815 by two Quakers, William Backhouse and James Janson. Since that time, the book has been an enormous influence in the lives of untold numbers of true seekers of the deeper life. It has been in continuous publication since its introduction.

Following is a quote on the crucified life, which they refer to as “self-annihilation” and the “destruction of the existence of self.”

“The soul becomes fitted for union with God by giving up self to the destroying and annihilating power of Divine Love. This indeed is a most essential and necessary sacrifice in Christianity, and that only by which we pay true homage to the sovereignty of God. By the destruction of the existence of self within us we truly acknowledge the supreme existence of our God, for unless we cease to exist in self, the Spirit of the Eternal Word canot exist in us. Now it is by the giving up of our own life that we give place for His coming and, in dying to ourselves, He Himself lives and abides in us (Galatians 2:20).

We should indeed surrender our whole being unto Christ Jesus, and cease to live any longer in ourselves, that He Himself may become our life; “that being dead our life may be hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). By leaving and forsaking ourselves we are lost in Him, and this can be effected only by the annihilation of self, which being the true prayer of adoration renders unto “God and unto the lamb blessing and honor and glory and power, forever and ever” (Revelation 5:13).” p. 68-69.