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At The Master's Feet
Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929?) has been referred to as "the apostle of India." His Christian witness was one of faith, endurance, and supernatural activity. In 1922, his beloved classic At the Master's Feet was released. The book describes a vision, in which the disciple asks Jesus Christ, the Master, for wisdom and the meaning of various aspects of the Christian life. Also included in this edition is The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh, in which the Sadhu describes visionary experiences about heaven, hell, and everything in between.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1922
About the author
Sadhu Sundar Singh
32 books35 followersSadhu Sundar Singh (3 September 1889, Patiala State, India) was an Indian Christian missionary. He is believed to have died in the foothills of the Himalayas in 1929.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 28, 2017
One quote of the many that spoke to where I am now...
Some say that desire is the root of all pain and sorrow, therefore it is not right to desire happiness in heaven or in communion with God, for salvation consists in killing all desire. To say this is as great a folly as to tell a thirsty man to kill his thirst instead of giving him water to drink, for thirst or desire is part of life itself. To take away desire to thirst without satisfying them is to destroy life, and this is not salvation but death. Just as thirst implies water, and water is intended to remove thirst, so the existence of desire in the soul implies the existence of true happiness and peace. When the soul finds Him who planted within it that desire, it receives far greater satisfaction that the thirsty man does from water, and this satisfaction of the soul's desire we call heaven. - Singh - At the Master's Feet
Some say that desire is the root of all pain and sorrow, therefore it is not right to desire happiness in heaven or in communion with God, for salvation consists in killing all desire. To say this is as great a folly as to tell a thirsty man to kill his thirst instead of giving him water to drink, for thirst or desire is part of life itself. To take away desire to thirst without satisfying them is to destroy life, and this is not salvation but death. Just as thirst implies water, and water is intended to remove thirst, so the existence of desire in the soul implies the existence of true happiness and peace. When the soul finds Him who planted within it that desire, it receives far greater satisfaction that the thirsty man does from water, and this satisfaction of the soul's desire we call heaven. - Singh - At the Master's Feet
April 21, 2012
This book can be found free online. www.ccel.org/ccel/singh/feet.html
This is truly a beautiful book and well worth reading again. This book is by Sadhu Sundar Singh, a holy and devout man who fervently sought a true relationship with God (not His gifts but Himself) and offered himself up as a sacrifice to God daily for God's Glory and the fulfillment of God's will in his life. One day, while praying, Jesus appeared to him. This book describes the conversation that took place.
An excerp from the chapter on prayer:
The diciple asks:
“Since God is fully aware of our needs, and knows how to supply them in the best way, not for the good only but for the evil, how should we pray to Him about them? Whether our necessities be temporal or spiritual, can we by our prayers alter the will of God?”
Jesus answers:
Those who ask such a question show clearly that they do not know what prayer is. They have not lived a prayerful life, or they would know that prayer to God is not a form of begging. Prayer does not consist in an effort to obtain from God the things which are necessary for this life. Prayer is an effort to lay hold of God Himself, the Author of life, and when we have found Him who is the source of life and have entered into communion with Him, then the whole of life is ours and with Him all that will make life is perfect. To evildoers, God, out of love for them, gives what is necessary for their life in this world, but their spiritual necessities He does not even show to them, as they have no spiritual life.
Here are the topics covered in this little book.
I. The Manifestation of God's Presence
II. Sin and Salvation
III. Prayer
IV. Service
V. The Cross and the Mystery of Suffering
VI. Heaven and Hell
A Prayer
This is truly a beautiful book and well worth reading again. This book is by Sadhu Sundar Singh, a holy and devout man who fervently sought a true relationship with God (not His gifts but Himself) and offered himself up as a sacrifice to God daily for God's Glory and the fulfillment of God's will in his life. One day, while praying, Jesus appeared to him. This book describes the conversation that took place.
An excerp from the chapter on prayer:
The diciple asks:
“Since God is fully aware of our needs, and knows how to supply them in the best way, not for the good only but for the evil, how should we pray to Him about them? Whether our necessities be temporal or spiritual, can we by our prayers alter the will of God?”
Jesus answers:
Those who ask such a question show clearly that they do not know what prayer is. They have not lived a prayerful life, or they would know that prayer to God is not a form of begging. Prayer does not consist in an effort to obtain from God the things which are necessary for this life. Prayer is an effort to lay hold of God Himself, the Author of life, and when we have found Him who is the source of life and have entered into communion with Him, then the whole of life is ours and with Him all that will make life is perfect. To evildoers, God, out of love for them, gives what is necessary for their life in this world, but their spiritual necessities He does not even show to them, as they have no spiritual life.
Here are the topics covered in this little book.
I. The Manifestation of God's Presence
II. Sin and Salvation
III. Prayer
IV. Service
V. The Cross and the Mystery of Suffering
VI. Heaven and Hell
A Prayer
May 7, 2013
Completely fascinating. This man had a short but remarkable personal history. "At the Master's Feet" is mainly a sort of dialogue between the sadhu and Jesus, where the sadhu (Disciple) asks questions of Jesus (Master). I'm under the impression that these were originally teachings that the sadhu gave aloud, which were later compiled. The questions show a great awareness of common spiritual misconceptions or objections, and the answers line right up with the biblical record.
The edition of the book I read (on Kindle) had an accounting of some visions the sadhu received, tacked onto the end. These are a little less biblically verifiable (though not entirely unverifiable, and the clarity and validity of the first half of the book seems to validate these as well), but they're certainly intriguing and interesting reading.
I recommend this book and kind of wonder why, in an age when Eastern spirituality is so popular, Sundar Singh isn't a little better known and more widely read.
The edition of the book I read (on Kindle) had an accounting of some visions the sadhu received, tacked onto the end. These are a little less biblically verifiable (though not entirely unverifiable, and the clarity and validity of the first half of the book seems to validate these as well), but they're certainly intriguing and interesting reading.
I recommend this book and kind of wonder why, in an age when Eastern spirituality is so popular, Sundar Singh isn't a little better known and more widely read.
July 8, 2021
I bought a number of Singh's published books a few years ago. I am just now getting to them (at least this one) and I enjoyed it. I will say that after seminary and ten years of ministry I did not find anything earth shattering, but it was nice to read a more occidental flavored perspective on the texts he addressed.
Having just been fired from my church yesterday, I found solace in the chapter on suffering and the cross, which was nice.
The book is short and it is a quick read. I look forward to reading more of his writings.
Having just been fired from my church yesterday, I found solace in the chapter on suffering and the cross, which was nice.
The book is short and it is a quick read. I look forward to reading more of his writings.
August 5, 2026
At the Master's Feet by Sadhu Sundar Singh
Rating: 5/5 stars
Before picking up At the Master's Feet, I wasn't fully aware of Sadhu Sundar Singh. I had only read snippets of his work prior, but this book served as a real gateway into his writing and his deep walk with God.
As I went through it, much of his writing reminded me of C.S. Lewis, an author I am much more familiar with. What stood out to me was how both writers use simple imagery to explain massive spiritual truths, especially when it comes to the metaphor of an egg.
Singh writes about a bird inside its shell. If you try to tell that unhatched bird about vast mountains, rivers, and the open sky, it simply cannot comprehend it from inside its dark, limited world. It has to mature under the warmth of the mother bird to hatch and finally see the world it was made for. Lewis uses a similar picture in Mere Christianity, pointing out that an egg can't learn to fly while staying an egg—it must be hatched or go bad.
Putting those two perspectives together really hit home for me. You can't just fix up or polish the outer shell. True spiritual life requires the whole thing to break open into something brand new. That complete transformation is what Singh continuously points toward throughout the book.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Before picking up At the Master's Feet, I wasn't fully aware of Sadhu Sundar Singh. I had only read snippets of his work prior, but this book served as a real gateway into his writing and his deep walk with God.
As I went through it, much of his writing reminded me of C.S. Lewis, an author I am much more familiar with. What stood out to me was how both writers use simple imagery to explain massive spiritual truths, especially when it comes to the metaphor of an egg.
Singh writes about a bird inside its shell. If you try to tell that unhatched bird about vast mountains, rivers, and the open sky, it simply cannot comprehend it from inside its dark, limited world. It has to mature under the warmth of the mother bird to hatch and finally see the world it was made for. Lewis uses a similar picture in Mere Christianity, pointing out that an egg can't learn to fly while staying an egg—it must be hatched or go bad.
Putting those two perspectives together really hit home for me. You can't just fix up or polish the outer shell. True spiritual life requires the whole thing to break open into something brand new. That complete transformation is what Singh continuously points toward throughout the book.
March 24, 2023
Singh's sincerity and personal experience is clearly life changing when he met God and came to Christ. The thoughts he has are vivid images, but many are not orthodox. Yet there is a simple faith that shines through in an exciting way.
I would not, however, recommend this book to others, his theology is notably lacking and sometimes heretical. Though for illustrations and select portions, this is worth a quick read.
I would not, however, recommend this book to others, his theology is notably lacking and sometimes heretical. Though for illustrations and select portions, this is worth a quick read.
May 13, 2026
Singh is a mystic, and deeply devoted to Jesus. His parables and metaphors come from an eastern way of looking at the world. This is very helpful! This is the part of the world where Jesus lived.
I don’t think I understand everything that Singh says. It helps me to write what I think he is saying in my own words. I know Sundhar loves Jesus, and I know Jesus loves Sundhar. And I can tell they spent some quality time together!
I don’t think I understand everything that Singh says. It helps me to write what I think he is saying in my own words. I know Sundhar loves Jesus, and I know Jesus loves Sundhar. And I can tell they spent some quality time together!
September 14, 2018
A heavenly conversation
This book showed me few examples like the ones Jesus gave through the parables in the Bible. Its amazing. Such wisdom, such insight, it could only be coming from God. Amazing to go through the book and learn things only God would know.
This book showed me few examples like the ones Jesus gave through the parables in the Bible. Its amazing. Such wisdom, such insight, it could only be coming from God. Amazing to go through the book and learn things only God would know.
June 3, 2019
Excellent Illustrations
Sandy Sundae Singh provides many helpful and accurate illustrations to augment his teaching. This book accurately follows biblical principles and provides an interesting approach to God's Word.
Sandy Sundae Singh provides many helpful and accurate illustrations to augment his teaching. This book accurately follows biblical principles and provides an interesting approach to God's Word.
July 31, 2017
Awesome book.
Awesome read. So much to digest. This has to be studied over and over again. Thank you brother bill for the referral
Awesome read. So much to digest. This has to be studied over and over again. Thank you brother bill for the referral
September 11, 2017
Most people with questions about Jesus will have them answered in this short but most powerful book. Changed my life, which was already very spiritual...
June 6, 2021
Recommend this book
This book would be interesting for those who believe God can freely reveal him self to whom ever he wants.
This book would be interesting for those who believe God can freely reveal him self to whom ever he wants.
September 2, 2021
Am waiting eagerly, for what will happen after one million years!!!!
June 2, 2025
Fantastic read!
May 28, 2026
This was another Renovare Book Club book-- a bit different than the others. I love the non western POV, but I am Audi not sure about the automatic writing nature of the book.
May 21, 2026
I am glad I read it because it was from a different culture and time in history. However, I had a hard time pulling out anything practical or helpful.
May 7, 2026
Fresh and relevant
It is hard to believe how long ago this was written as it still seems so fresh and relevant. I highly recommend this book and think it will be enlightening and life giving to the reader. I’m thankful to have read it.
It is hard to believe how long ago this was written as it still seems so fresh and relevant. I highly recommend this book and think it will be enlightening and life giving to the reader. I’m thankful to have read it.
December 3, 2025
It is great to read a non-Western Christian book but it is not of the calibre of the great books of Christianity. However, it is better than those which just repeat verses from the Bible and add nothing at all. The style is very much like parables drawing from the things of nature and experience. Not earth shattering but simple and easy to read.
I have a real love/hate relationship with this book. The other edition, I have just read also has "The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh," which I found rather low brow and full of conjecture (I hope they are true). It took me about the 3rd go at this book to get into the analogies that Sadhu Sundar Singh uses. It needs a slow read but this won't be one that I will keep permanently on my book shelf.
I have a real love/hate relationship with this book. The other edition, I have just read also has "The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh," which I found rather low brow and full of conjecture (I hope they are true). It took me about the 3rd go at this book to get into the analogies that Sadhu Sundar Singh uses. It needs a slow read but this won't be one that I will keep permanently on my book shelf.
September 6, 2015
Christian book, originally written in Hindi. The title, as the book explains, is about how it is better to serve God than try to achieve greatness among other people.
Most of the book is about how to live as a Christian, and is written in the form of questions that a believer may ask, followed by answers from God, mostly written through Biblical text.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the Biblical knowledge seemed very detailed. It was good to be reminded of how not to live in the way the world expects me to live, but in a way that is pleasing to God.
Most of the book is about how to live as a Christian, and is written in the form of questions that a believer may ask, followed by answers from God, mostly written through Biblical text.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the Biblical knowledge seemed very detailed. It was good to be reminded of how not to live in the way the world expects me to live, but in a way that is pleasing to God.
January 11, 2010
I enjoy the plethora of images he uses to express spiritual truths, coming from a variety of angles to illuminate an idea.
July 18, 2012
Beautiful imagery and very thought-provoking.
September 6, 2013
Overall good book. There were some theological issues I had with the book, but the analogies were great!
December 7, 2014
This is a beautiful book by a great, but humble, man!
Read
October 1, 2015What a great book to read! When I read this book it gave me a full insight to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an eyeopener. I would encourage all to read it.
H.V. Reeves
H.V. Reeves
September 11, 2017
Most people with questions about Jesus will have them answered in this short but most powerful book. Changed my life, which was already very spiritual...
July 2, 2021
I love his Imagery. Truly a story teller as much as his master.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews