Roger Baxter

“ Augustine is quoted as saying that "any one who knows how to pray rightly, knows how to live rightly." Many opinions could be cited of holy and learned writers who attach the greatest importance to mental prayer, and for some persons think it even necessary for salvation. ”

“ This, in itself, adds vastly to its historical interest, since it creates, as it were, a spiritual fellowship with those pioneers of the faith who came not only to teach, but prepared to suffer. The first American edition owed its appearance to the exertions of the Rev. Roger Baxter, S.J., a man conspicuous for his learning, eloquence, and zeal in defence of the faith. Though dying at the early age of thirty-four, he was the author of at least two books which earned for him fame in the field of polemics ”

“ This book was a particular favorite with such men as Bishops Challoner and Walmsly.
The devout contemplative, as well as the ordinary Christian, may use these Meditations with advantage.
The edition used in revising this work was printed in the year 1669. If the language had only been a little antiquated, it would have been better to have reprinted it in its original state; for we have more than one instance of good old books being revised and corrected, and spoiled. ”

“ This volume of Meditations is interesting not only from its origin, which is given at length in the Preface to the first American edition, but also from the fact that it is among the first devotional works published in this country. ”