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Gold Cord
The complete story of Dohnavur Fellowship from its beginning. Shows the loving heart of God at work in thirsting human hearts.
413 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
24 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Amy Carmichael
130 books333 followersAmy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the missionary work there.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 16, 2018
A great insight into Amy Carmichael's ministry that shows many lessons she learned during her time in India.
August 13, 2024
4.5 stars. I had never read any of Amy Carmichael's writing before, and it was definitely time I started.
This book was definitely not a fast, easy read. I found it delightful, though, when taken in bite sized portions. Reading one chapter a day was enough to leave me inspired and thinking all sorts of deep and sometimes uncomfortable thoughts. Amy Carmichael's love and commitment not only to a cause but ultimately for a Person was truly a challenge to me.
This book was definitely not a fast, easy read. I found it delightful, though, when taken in bite sized portions. Reading one chapter a day was enough to leave me inspired and thinking all sorts of deep and sometimes uncomfortable thoughts. Amy Carmichael's love and commitment not only to a cause but ultimately for a Person was truly a challenge to me.
May 24, 2018
FINALLY! I have finished this book. So many readers love this book, and that’s good. I can appreciate the quote worthy words supported by the author’s own experience as a missionary to India. It was however not a book I *enjoyed* reading. The writing style was hard to follow and not engaging in the least. Though her experiences are incredible the book itself is not. Do not pick up this book if... you hope for a quick captivating read on the life and times of Amy Carmichael. Do add this book to reading repertoire if... you are a reader who would like to measure the strength of her determination in finishing a slowly paced 400 page book. The take away, for me, as I mentioned above, are the many underlined quotes I now have throughout the book. Reflections on a life of faith and how the author applied the Word of God to her many situations, were just as applicable for me. That explains my three star rating when I would have given it two stars apart from that.
February 20, 2008
Miss Carmichael is my hero. She risked her life to rescue hundreds of little girls from prostitution. Her foundation is still active today, fighting slavery and providing children with safety and an education. This book is her amazing story in her own words.
December 22, 2016
Amy wrote beautifully. The words seemed to come straight from her heart. She wrote with honest poignancy. I was challenged to think differently about spiritual things and was given the opportunity to look at India through the eyes of a missionary who saved children from religious sex slavery. How decrepit man is. How much in need of God are we all.
This is a book I want to read again and again. I could not read more than one chapter at a time because of its heaviness - not a depressing heaviness but a heaviness that makes you question and contemplate and wonder.
It's a guess as to the date I finished reading it. I'm thinking I finally finished the last chapter after we moved into our new house in 2016, so I'm going with that.
This is a book I want to read again and again. I could not read more than one chapter at a time because of its heaviness - not a depressing heaviness but a heaviness that makes you question and contemplate and wonder.
It's a guess as to the date I finished reading it. I'm thinking I finally finished the last chapter after we moved into our new house in 2016, so I'm going with that.
April 5, 2009
I loved this book. I was introduced to Amy Carmichael because her life story was part of my bible curriculum when I taught 2nd grade in Christian school. Over the next few years, I read many works by her and about her. She's had a profound influence on my Christian walk. I particularly loved this book, as it traced the journey of her whole life.
April 26, 2015
This is an old fashioned book, written about the history of an orphanage in India started by Amy Carmichael. She dedicated her entire life to the saving of children who had been given to the temples. She writes of the children, and of the many miraculous ways in which God met their needs, over and over again.
Currently reading
November 25, 2008I am currently reading this book.
March 10, 2015
Amy Carmichael is at the top of my list of favorite authors. She didn't just write books from her knowledge but from her life experiences as a missionary in India.
September 26, 2024
TARGET AUDIENCE
The ripples of Amy Cramichael’s blessed life testimony have stretched far and wide. Once hidden in an obscure region of India where few dared travel, her stories have now been shared across the globe. Christians—men and women from nearly every demographic—will be encouraged by her life and storytelling abilities. This particular book, however, in all its antiquated ways may be difficult for the modern reader to absorb. But if that slight hump can be traversed, the reader will be profoundly affected by the faith and character of a woman who gave herself wholeheartedly to the service of God in an unknown region nearly a century ago.
CONTENT QUALITY
Amy Carmichael stands out as one of the greatest missionary communicators in recent history. It is rare to find an individual who is not only called to missionary service, but is also able to adequately articulate the experiences from the far-off regions where they serve. This, to me, is praiseworthy. And this book is praiseworthy, too, telling of the rescue of Indian girls (and later, boys) who were to be married to the gods and used as vestiges of idolatry. Though the words are not mentioned in the book, today’s terminology to describe the author’s missionary service would be along the lines of “anti-trafficking” or “justice ministry” or the like. This is the story of human injustice and the fellowship that sought to rescue marginalized children.
MESSAGE CLARITY
I must point out that though the threads of this mosaic are artistically arranged (literarily speaking) the narrative is a little hard to follow. Clarity as to what the fellowship’s actual purpose was (from what they were rescuing these young Indian children) is nebulous. Be it the antiquated vocabulary or linguistic style (I am unsure), I find it difficult to understand the specific peril that the children were actually saved from. I do wish the the author would have spelled it out in clearer terms. What the fellowship was to become, however, is a different matter: it is one of joy in united Christian service among unreached peoples of 20th century India.
CREATIVE STYLE
As mentioned above, this book lacks no creativity in its linguistic expression and verbose descriptions. The author was a master at capturing the moment, drawing in the reader, and ushering one into the awe of the Divine. Have a dictionary handy as you read! You will at once feel like a student of the English (perhaps even the Tamil) language.
LANGUAGE SELECTION
The antiquity of this book is evident in its language and form. This is far from your “modern reader” and can feel quite off putting to some (perhaps many). Old quotes, anecdotes, or poetry open each chapter. The writing style can be difficult to digest and the poetry, though passionate and persuasive, may necessitate a slower pace or quick re-read. Call me an “old soul” but I rather enjoy antiquated texts like these. Still, there was a bit of strain to comprehend the full meaning of particular texts.
OVERALL IMPACT
After reading this book, I found a deeper appreciation for the missionaries of old—those who have gone before me to pioneer uncharted territories. This book is a honest depiction of the struggles of cross-cultural missionaries, both of the inner turmoil and the outward battles. I learned of the miraculous through this book: the donations and faithful gifts from afar, the salvations among hard-to-reach people groups, the placing of the plow to the ground and rare over-the-shoulder glances into the past. These things inspire me. I know that they will inspire you as well.
10 POINT RATING
I give Gold Cord a 7/10.
The ripples of Amy Cramichael’s blessed life testimony have stretched far and wide. Once hidden in an obscure region of India where few dared travel, her stories have now been shared across the globe. Christians—men and women from nearly every demographic—will be encouraged by her life and storytelling abilities. This particular book, however, in all its antiquated ways may be difficult for the modern reader to absorb. But if that slight hump can be traversed, the reader will be profoundly affected by the faith and character of a woman who gave herself wholeheartedly to the service of God in an unknown region nearly a century ago.
CONTENT QUALITY
Amy Carmichael stands out as one of the greatest missionary communicators in recent history. It is rare to find an individual who is not only called to missionary service, but is also able to adequately articulate the experiences from the far-off regions where they serve. This, to me, is praiseworthy. And this book is praiseworthy, too, telling of the rescue of Indian girls (and later, boys) who were to be married to the gods and used as vestiges of idolatry. Though the words are not mentioned in the book, today’s terminology to describe the author’s missionary service would be along the lines of “anti-trafficking” or “justice ministry” or the like. This is the story of human injustice and the fellowship that sought to rescue marginalized children.
MESSAGE CLARITY
I must point out that though the threads of this mosaic are artistically arranged (literarily speaking) the narrative is a little hard to follow. Clarity as to what the fellowship’s actual purpose was (from what they were rescuing these young Indian children) is nebulous. Be it the antiquated vocabulary or linguistic style (I am unsure), I find it difficult to understand the specific peril that the children were actually saved from. I do wish the the author would have spelled it out in clearer terms. What the fellowship was to become, however, is a different matter: it is one of joy in united Christian service among unreached peoples of 20th century India.
CREATIVE STYLE
As mentioned above, this book lacks no creativity in its linguistic expression and verbose descriptions. The author was a master at capturing the moment, drawing in the reader, and ushering one into the awe of the Divine. Have a dictionary handy as you read! You will at once feel like a student of the English (perhaps even the Tamil) language.
LANGUAGE SELECTION
The antiquity of this book is evident in its language and form. This is far from your “modern reader” and can feel quite off putting to some (perhaps many). Old quotes, anecdotes, or poetry open each chapter. The writing style can be difficult to digest and the poetry, though passionate and persuasive, may necessitate a slower pace or quick re-read. Call me an “old soul” but I rather enjoy antiquated texts like these. Still, there was a bit of strain to comprehend the full meaning of particular texts.
OVERALL IMPACT
After reading this book, I found a deeper appreciation for the missionaries of old—those who have gone before me to pioneer uncharted territories. This book is a honest depiction of the struggles of cross-cultural missionaries, both of the inner turmoil and the outward battles. I learned of the miraculous through this book: the donations and faithful gifts from afar, the salvations among hard-to-reach people groups, the placing of the plow to the ground and rare over-the-shoulder glances into the past. These things inspire me. I know that they will inspire you as well.
10 POINT RATING
I give Gold Cord a 7/10.
March 11, 2025
This is the story of Dohnavur Fellowship in India written by Amy Carmichael herself. What makes this book so great is not the incredible stories, trials or triumphs, but how Amy navigated those things. Amy lived a tremendous life of faith for the glory of God. Woven throughout this book are golden truths that if taken ahold of we too will find the same victory and joy of walking with the Lord like Amy experienced. This is a great book that is desperately needed today.
February 26, 2018
What a wonderful book of testimony of the Lords provision and care. A great book to read for encouraging your faith and reminder of Gos's unchanging character towards His people.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews