The Story of Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland and of the new Gospel of Interpretation

The days of the Covenant of Manifestation are passing away; The Gospel of Interpretation cometh.
There shall nothing new be told; but that which is ancient shall be interpreted.
Now is the Gospel of Interpretation come, and the kingdom of the Mother of God. — C.W.S. , Part I. No. ii. (part 2) 10. 11. and Part II. No. xiii. 31.
THE RUSKIN PRESS, STAFFORD STREET. 1905.
1st Edition ... Christmas, 1893. 2nd Edition ... Christmas, 1894. 3rd Edition ... Christmas, 1905.
TO THE FIRST AND SECOND EDITIONS.
This book is designed (1) in satisfaction of the widely-expressed desire for a more particular account than has yet been rendered concerning the genesis of the writings claiming to constitute a New Gospel of Interpretation ; and (2) in fulfilment of the duty incumbent on me as the survivor of the two recipients of such Gospel to spare no means which may minister to its recognition and acceptance by the world, for whose benefit it has been vouchsafed.
Although largely biographical in character, this book is not a history of individuals, but of a Work, and involves only such personal references as are necessary to such history. It is not, however, a full or a final account that is contained in it. Such an account can be given only in the form of the regular biography which is in course of preparation. This book is an instalment only of that biography, being put forth in advance of it, partly, as said above, to meet a present need, and partly, to prevent a total loss of the record in the event of my failure to complete it—a contingency of which, in view of the magnitude of the task and my advanced age, I am bound to take account.
E. M.
TO THE THIRD EDITION.
Since the publication in 1893 of this book which, as stated in Chapter VII., was intended but as an epitome and instalment of a far larger book then in course of preparation, the full and final account of the New Gospel of Interpretation has been given to the world. In 1896 Edward Maitland published his magnum opus , The Life of Anna Kingsford, in two large volumes of 420 pages, illustrated with portraits, views, and facsimiles. This is, and will always be, the biography par excellence of Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland, and it is absolutely indispensable for those who would know all that there is to be known of them and their work and of the New Gospel of Interpretation. As that book, however, on account of its great length, must always be a costly book, and therefore beyond the means of many who would like to have some reliable information concerning Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland and their work, and as there are many who, on account of their time for reading being limited or their inclination to read being little, require information within the compass of a small book or go without it altogether, there will, notwithstanding the publication of the Life of Anna Kingsford, be a demand for this shorter Story, which is so admirably suited to meet the needs or requirements of these classes of persons; for, be it noted, the publication of The Life of Anna Kingsford has not in any way depreciated the value of this book in this sense that, having been written by one of the two recipients of the New Gospel of Interpretation, it is a first authority second to none for the statements therein contained.