The Mission of Sorrow

by Gardiner Spring

'The Mission of Sorrow' is a book that all Christians, especially those who minister, should read. It concerns the place of suffering for the Christian and how God orders all the suffering that befalls his children be for their good. It would best be read before suffering comes so that a proper perspective can be held when suffering does come.

67 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2007

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for all Christian sufferers!

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick devotional read on suffering. The language is flowery mid-nineteenth century prose, but not difficult. In fact, Spring’s phrasing is beautiful and lucid. Chapters six and seven on the Bible and on prayer, respectively, are the best sections of the book. Spring’s treatment is solidly Calvinistic (and biblical), emphasizing God’s sovereign goodness even - and especially - in our darkest afflictions. He draws heavily from Scripture, but he does not provide the chapter/verse citations. I recommend this unabashedly theocentric book to all who can digest the style without growing frustrated.

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer on how God uses affliction; my only caveat about this work is that Spring is writing in 1863 to a group of people who are confronting the American Civil War and the deaths that came w it. I’m not sure every piece of advice he gives about grief should be used all the time.