New edition, same book, new title
(this book replaces the former Title: Andrew and Emma Murray)
Andrew
and Emma Murray
An Intimate Portrait of Their Marriage and
Ministry
by Leona Choy
You'll laugh!
You may cry!
You will be inspired!
The intimate story of a missionary-statesman, author of more than
200
Christian classics, and the wife who shared his ministry.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE?
-- that the man who prayed all his life for revival didn't recognize and tried to suppress the move of the Spirit when it began happening in his own church--until he himself had an encounter with the Holy Spirit?
--That the conservative Dutch Reformed Church Moderator experienced divine healing after he was told by doctors he'd never preach again, and healing became a part of his ministry?
--That lack of power in his early ministry resulted in a near breakdown physically--until he learned "the full blessing of Pentecost," as he termed it.
--That the man who wrote the classic book "Humility" confessed that he fought pride and prominence as his lifelong enemies?
--That he argued with his new bride about taking her grand piano and china dishes by ox cart to their distant wilderness parish since they would have to ford swift rivers?
Researching new material obtained from the Murray family archives and descendants in South Africa, the author introduces you to the flesh and blood man behind the popular deeper life Christian books. For the first time readers will meet Emma, his "new idea of a wife" as he called her, without whom Murray claimed he could never have accomplished his literary efforts.
The author drew intimate and fascinating details about Andrew's wife from out-of-print books of journals and family letters compiled by their granddaughter, Joyce Murray. Daily life of an English girl growing up in mid-Victorian Cape Town in the 1850s comes alive with human interest insights and humorous anecdotes. We experience with Andrew and Emma their whirlwind romance, covered wagon honeymoon, and first years of marriage in a wilderness parish. We smile at Emma's naive, newlywed views on child-rearing until she becomes a mother herself.
Without typewriters, computers or recording equipment and while raising eight children, Emma wrote down Andrew's prolific messages. Together they accomplished the writing of over 240 books and booklets published in 15 languages during their nearly fifty years of marriage. He admits to being too early famous, a boy preacher to whose meetings admiring crowds flocked, with conversions at every evangelistic service. As God matured this servant of God, he was eager to share the truths he found with his congregation and readers.
After more than a century and a half, Murray's writings are still guiding believers throughout the world into a deeper life in Christ. Many of his books are being reprinted today and continue to be popular with each succeeding generation. He had an anointed pen because he had an anointed heart.
Born in South Africa, the son of a Dutch Reformed pastor from Scotland, Murray studied in Scotland, Holland, and Germany before returning to South Africa. He traveled to England, the Continent and America preaching in prestigious pulpits, at Keswick conferences, and influencing his generation for Christ. Murray was also an educator and professor as well as a missionary statesman and evangelist. A friend of D.L. Moody and other prominent leaders who were instrumental in the Keswick movement, he directed the South African Keswick for many years.
The research for this fast-paced historical saga is gleaned from primary sources and authorized by the Murray Family Association in South Africa. A section of archival photos supplied by the Murray Family Museum and Centre in South Africa enriches this biography, along with an Appendix providing a synopses, dates and backgrounds of most of Murray's books in print. Each is cross-referenced to chapters chronicling events in his life. A Murray Family Register of immediate descendants, a Foreword by a direct Murray descendant, and contemporary testimonies from South Africa add to the value of this biography. The Epilogue by another descendant gives current news about Murray reunions and family highlights.
It may surprise us that this writer of serious spiritual books was a tender, loving husband and devoted father, known in his generation as a man of laughter, humor and ready wit. He lived transparently what he preached and wrote. This new biography helps the reader to identify with the human sides and struggles of Andrew and Emma which is sure to make the reading of his books more interesting.
Co-published by Christian Publications,
Inc. and Golden Morning Publishing
ISBN # 1-88965-191-4 $11.99
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