(For reference only)
In this candid biography of a famous missionary statesman of the past century, Leona sketches a portrait of a man who wrestled with his own inadequacy. "Why hath the Lord put me in the ministry, unfit as I am? Why cannot I find the strength and power to fulfill my call to preach?" lamented the tired and discouraged young Andrew fresh from seminary.
Born in South Africa, the son of a Dutch Reformed pastor from Scotland, he studied in Scotland, Holland and Germany before returning to South Africa. He was too early famous, a boy preacher to whose meetings admiring crowds flocked, with conversions at every evangelistic service. He fought the insidious inroads of pride, but later wrote a masterpiece on humility after God dealt deeply with him.
Murray is one of the best loved and most widely read writers on the deeper Christian life. In his 88 years he wrote about 240 books and tracts which were published in 15 languages. Many of his works are being republished eagerly today. He had an anointed pen because he had an anointed heart. He did find that power from God which he called "the full blessing of Pentecost" for which he had hungered in his personal life and ministry.
The author confesses to having been influenced by Murray's writing throughout her life and always wondering what the man behind the words was like. Was he "real"? Did he laugh, was he approachable or always stern? Did he talk in "thees and thous"? What happened in his life to cause him to write with such deep conviction on certain themes? Was he always "on top of it" in spiritual victory or did he struggle at times like I do?
To answer those questions for the many "Murray fans" of today Leona wrote this book after extensive research that included correspondence with his descendants in South Africa, who supplied new material and insights on their illustrious ancestor. The book was first published on the 150th anniversary of Murray's birth in 1828.
Murray was a spiritual force who shook his generation, a missionary statesman, candidate recruiter, educationalist, professor and founder of training institutions. He was six times elected Moderator of the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in S.Africa. All his life he worked and prayed for spiritual revival yet did not immediately recognize the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when it was happening in his own congregation. He sought to stop it until he was inundated with the Spirit himself, resulting in the transformation of his ministry.
A tender, loving husband and devoted father of eight children he was a man of laughter, humor and ready wit. He lived what he preached and wrote. Meet this "real" man in the pages of this fast-paced biography.
This book is out of print. This biography is being re-issued in a , expanded edition titled Andrew and Emma. Read this original book review for an introduction to the life and significance of this noted author of many deeper life books still popular today.
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ISBN 0-87508-367-6
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