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The Anxious Inquirer After Salvation: Directed and Encouraged
Excerpt from The Anxious Inquirer After Salvation: Directed and Encouraged
All subject must be taught by elementary treatises: to this rule, religion forms no exception; and as books for children, compose a very useful, though humble department, in general literature, so in the great science of salvation, he aims at no unimportant object, who writes for those are anxious to be converted, and who are willing, for that purpose, to become as little children in the school of Christ. Such is my design; to accomplish which, I sought after the greatest simplicity of style. Writing for babes in Christ, I have given little more than the alphabet of personal religion; but the learning of which is necessary to future progress. Almost all teachers, whether of children or of Adults, commit the error of taking for granted, that their pupils know more than they really do: it is far better to err in the opposite extreme.
All subject must be taught by elementary treatises: to this rule, religion forms no exception; and as books for children, compose a very useful, though humble department, in general literature, so in the great science of salvation, he aims at no unimportant object, who writes for those are anxious to be converted, and who are willing, for that purpose, to become as little children in the school of Christ. Such is my design; to accomplish which, I sought after the greatest simplicity of style. Writing for babes in Christ, I have given little more than the alphabet of personal religion; but the learning of which is necessary to future progress. Almost all teachers, whether of children or of Adults, commit the error of taking for granted, that their pupils know more than they really do: it is far better to err in the opposite extreme.
126 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1919
24 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
John Angell James
288 books13 followersJohn Angell James (1785 - 1859), was an English Nonconformist clergyman and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 3, 2016
This is one of my favourite books of all time. I first read it in 2007 after coming across Spurgeon's recommendation of it in his autobiography, and I've read it multiple times since. It loses nothing with each reading and always feels as fresh as ever. Spurgeon found it helpful when he was seeking the Saviour. This was the book which Martyn Lloyd-Jones gave to his wife when she was seeking the Lord. It was one of the best-selling books of its day. Between 1834 and 1859 (the time of the author's death) it had sold over half a million copies, and had been translated into many languages.
It's just as valuable for Christians to read it as non-Christians. Either way it is very challenging, and it might often have the Christian looking again at himself and wondering if he is truly converted - a good book for self-examination. For non-Christians, it is probably best suited to those who already know the Gospel to some degree, perhaps people who have had a church upbringing, or have sat under Christian ministry for a period of time and have some awareness of Christian things. It's not sufficiently detailed to be suited to someone who knows nothing about Christianity whatsoever.
I only wish I could persuade all my Christian friends to read it (if indeed they all are Christians). In this day and age where doctrine seems to matter little and it is all about feeling good, the true Gospel has often been lost sight of, and this little book would enlighten many professing Christians as to what Christianity is really all about, and remind them of the essential basics. As far as I am concerned it has no defects whatsoever. I would make it compulsory reading for anyone desiring to be baptised.
It is sometimes said that the advantage that preaching has over the written word is that a preacher can put feeling into his words and move his hearers far more powerfully than the written word can. I think that is false, or at any rate, John Angell James is an exception to the rule. He certainly does manage to convey his feelings in the way he writes and no reader can come away from this book feeling like John Angell James hadn't been speaking to them personally.
The testimonies of this little book's well-doing are numerous. One Dutchman said he knew of 12 of his students who were converted and entered the ministry through reading this book. It was also said that a single copy of the book circulated through an American settlement where there was no ministry, and 28 people were converted through it. In its own day it was regarded as a classic and they expected it to remain a perennial favourite to the end of time, but for some reason it fell out of fashion, and the present-day church is missing out on a beautiful little book which is worthy of great honour. If any book is truly a little gem, this is.
I'll close with words that Spurgeon spoke of John Angell James on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Metropolitan Tabernacle:
"I have to thank a large number of ministers who are not here for their kind letters; especially must I mention the name of that honoured father of all the Dissenting churches, the Rev. John Angell James, of Birmingham. There is no name I think just now that ought to be more venerated than his. We frequently exchange notes. I had a sweet letter from that eminent servant of God, in reply to one I had written asking him to come to this meeting. He said, 'I would have done so if I had been well enough, but I am unable to travel. My work is almost done, I cannot serve my Master much longer, but I can still do a little for Him. I preach perhaps once on the Sabbath, and I still continue to do what I can with my pen. What a mercy,' he adds 'to have been permitted to serve my Master so long.' I had written to him sometime before expressing my candid opinion concerning him, and my hearty respect; and he told me that I was mistaken in him. I am quite sure that I was not. I know that I could not think too highly of him."
It's just as valuable for Christians to read it as non-Christians. Either way it is very challenging, and it might often have the Christian looking again at himself and wondering if he is truly converted - a good book for self-examination. For non-Christians, it is probably best suited to those who already know the Gospel to some degree, perhaps people who have had a church upbringing, or have sat under Christian ministry for a period of time and have some awareness of Christian things. It's not sufficiently detailed to be suited to someone who knows nothing about Christianity whatsoever.
I only wish I could persuade all my Christian friends to read it (if indeed they all are Christians). In this day and age where doctrine seems to matter little and it is all about feeling good, the true Gospel has often been lost sight of, and this little book would enlighten many professing Christians as to what Christianity is really all about, and remind them of the essential basics. As far as I am concerned it has no defects whatsoever. I would make it compulsory reading for anyone desiring to be baptised.
It is sometimes said that the advantage that preaching has over the written word is that a preacher can put feeling into his words and move his hearers far more powerfully than the written word can. I think that is false, or at any rate, John Angell James is an exception to the rule. He certainly does manage to convey his feelings in the way he writes and no reader can come away from this book feeling like John Angell James hadn't been speaking to them personally.
The testimonies of this little book's well-doing are numerous. One Dutchman said he knew of 12 of his students who were converted and entered the ministry through reading this book. It was also said that a single copy of the book circulated through an American settlement where there was no ministry, and 28 people were converted through it. In its own day it was regarded as a classic and they expected it to remain a perennial favourite to the end of time, but for some reason it fell out of fashion, and the present-day church is missing out on a beautiful little book which is worthy of great honour. If any book is truly a little gem, this is.
I'll close with words that Spurgeon spoke of John Angell James on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Metropolitan Tabernacle:
"I have to thank a large number of ministers who are not here for their kind letters; especially must I mention the name of that honoured father of all the Dissenting churches, the Rev. John Angell James, of Birmingham. There is no name I think just now that ought to be more venerated than his. We frequently exchange notes. I had a sweet letter from that eminent servant of God, in reply to one I had written asking him to come to this meeting. He said, 'I would have done so if I had been well enough, but I am unable to travel. My work is almost done, I cannot serve my Master much longer, but I can still do a little for Him. I preach perhaps once on the Sabbath, and I still continue to do what I can with my pen. What a mercy,' he adds 'to have been permitted to serve my Master so long.' I had written to him sometime before expressing my candid opinion concerning him, and my hearty respect; and he told me that I was mistaken in him. I am quite sure that I was not. I know that I could not think too highly of him."
November 11, 2020
Will read again, good for people interested in Christian faith, who have newly experienced salvation or have been a Christian for years. I will likely read again soon.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews