The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 5, May, 1881Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 5, May, 1881
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
This volume, published by Harper Bros., is a book of extraordinary
interest. In it two great and good minds meet and yield practical
thought and valuable instruction. They also give us a rare
combination of wise and spiritual truths, calculated to fill the
soul of the reader with great aspirations for a richer experience
in things that pertain to Christ’s kingdom. If the book were read
by Christians everywhere the effect could scarcely be less than
a reformation. It is what is needed, under God, to counteract
the flood of secular things that evermore threaten to quench the
missionary spirit in the hearts of believers. The consecration,
perseverance, enterprise, skill, heroism, fidelity and charity of
Livingstone’s life are dwelt upon by Dr. Blaikie with such grateful
emotions as prompt him to say—“The author could wish for no higher
honor than to have his name associated with that of Livingstone,
and can desire no greater pleasure than that of conveying to other
minds the impressions that have been left on his own.”
Among the many favorable impressions made by this book are
those that relate to Livingstone’s superb faith. This was quite
discoverable in his early life. Talking with his father—“They
agreed that the time would come when rich men and great men would
think it an honor to support whole stations of missionaries instead
of spending their money on hounds and horses.” When he became great
and moderately rich, he illustrated his own faith by his gifts for
missions, and his devotion to the success of the laborers who went
forth at his instance. All this flowed naturally from his life-long
purpose. “I will place no value on anything I have or may possess,
except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.”
Upon this followed his exquisite trust for Divine protection. “If
God has accepted my service, then my life is charmed till my work
is done.” But his faith and works were rounded out by all that was
needful to make them complete. “It was in front and not in the rear
that he expected to find the pillar of cloud and the pillar of
fire,” and it was unto the Lord of Hosts he looked for victory, and
unto Him his prayer ascended unceasingly: “O, Almighty God, help
and leave not this wicked people to the slave-dealer and Satan!”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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