Some Thoughts Written in
Mary Slessor's Bible
Albie's Note: When Mary Slessor [1848-1915] arrived in the Calabar River region of what is now Nigeria, West Africa, in 1876, it was designated the most cannibal infested area extant on this earth. When she died there, in 1915, it was considered the most Christian region in all of the continent. She may not have accomplished this by herself, but all historians agree it would not have been accomplished without her! Here, from an old biography of the little Scottish Missionary, Nurse, and Statesperson [called "Ma" by her constituents, patients, and converts alike] are some amazing and totally convicting "Words to live by" found written in her personal copy of the King James Bible at the time of her death.
When I first read these amazing sayings I just had to blog them!
When I first read these amazing sayings I just had to blog them!
God is never behind time.
If you play with temptation do not expect God will deliver you.
A gracious woman has gracious friendships.
No gift or genius or position can keep us safe or free from sin.
We must see and know Christ before we can teach.
Good is good, but it is not enough; it must be God.
The secret of all failure is disobedience.
Sin is loss for time and eternity.
The smallest things are as absolutely necessary as the great things.
An arm of flesh never brings power.
Half the world's sorrow comes from the unwisdom of parents.
Obedience brings health.
Blessed the man and woman who is able to serve cheerfully in the second rank — a big test.
Slavery never pays; the slave is spoiled as a man, and the master not less so.
It were worth while to die, if thereby a soul could be born again.
From Mary Slessor of Calabar: Pioneer Missionary by W.P. Livingstone. 8th ed. New York: George H. Doran Co., [1916]
"In Christ," Mary Slessor once said, "we become new creatures. His life becomes ours. Take that word 'life' and turn it over and over and press it and try to measure it, and see what it will yield. Eternal life is a magnificent idea which comprises everything the heart can yearn after. Do not your hearts yearn for this life, this blessed and eternal life, which the Son of God so freely offers?"
"From death in this world unto life in the next," says Jesus.
"If we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with Him," says Paul.
"Eternal life comprises everything the heart can yearn after," says Mary Slessor.
From Blazing the Missionary Trail by Eugene Myers Harrison.
Chicago, Ill.: Scripture Press Book Division, ©1949.
PEACE
5 comments:
Some mighty fine words to live by.
OSCAR: Yup I agree friend...
Very inspiring. You never know what words or what small actions will affect someone else's life. Our life in Christ is the sermon.
Thank you for introducing me to her. I had not heard of this faithful woman prior to this. What a gift one faithful servant can give! Blessings to you!
TIM: Amen, friend! I love that these were just things she had written privately, never realizing they would be blogged someday. And I like your comment: "Our life in Christ is the sermon"... well put.
REVELATIONS: A great book is the one by Basil Miller. There is also a recent secular bio that is pretty detailed, but I forget the author. Her life is so remarkable. I envy you reading about "ma" for the first time!
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