PROF. BLAIKIE’S LIFE OF LIVINGSTONE.
This volume, published by Harper Bros., is a book of extraordinary interest. In it two great and good minds meet and yield practical thought and valuable instruction. They also give us a rare combination of wise and spiritual truths, calculated to fill the soul of the reader with great aspirations for a richer experience in things that pertain to Christ’s kingdom. If the book were read by Christians everywhere the effect could scarcely be less than a reformation. It is what is needed, under God, to counteract the flood of secular things that evermore threaten to quench the missionary spirit in the hearts of believers. The consecration, perseverance, enterprise, skill, heroism, fidelity and charity of Livingstone’s life are dwelt upon by Dr. Blaikie with such grateful emotions as prompt him to say—“The author could wish for no higher honor than to have his name associated with that of Livingstone, and can desire no greater pleasure than that of conveying to other minds the impressions that have been left on his own.”
Among the many favorable impressions made by this book are those that relate to Livingstone’s superb faith. This was quite discoverable in his early life. Talking with his father—“They agreed that the time would come when rich men and great men would think it an honor to support whole stations of missionaries instead of spending their money on hounds and horses.” When he became great and moderately rich, he illustrated his own faith by his gifts for missions, and his devotion to the success of the laborers who went forth at his instance. All this flowed naturally from his life-long purpose. “I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.”
Upon this followed his exquisite trust for Divine protection. “If God has accepted my service, then my life is charmed till my work is done.” But his faith and works were rounded out by all that was needful to make them complete. “It was in front and not in the rear that he expected to find the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire,” and it was unto the Lord of Hosts he looked for victory, and unto Him his prayer ascended unceasingly: “O, Almighty God, help and leave not this wicked people to the slave-dealer and Satan!”
He not only kept at work answering his own prayer, but was given to see, as he thought, how all things were working together for the wished-for consummation. “Viewed in relation to my calling,” he says, “the end of the geographical feat is only the beginning of the enterprise. We are all engaged in very much the same cause—geographers, astronomers and mechanicians laboring to make men better acquainted with each other—promoters of Niger expeditions, soldiers fighting for right against oppression, and sailors rescuing captives in deadly climes, as well as missionaries, are all aiding in hastening on a glorious consummation to all God’s dealings with our race. In the hope that I may yet be honored to do some good to this poor long down-trodden Africa, the gentlemen over whom you have the honor to preside, will, I believe, cordially join.”
That the millions who are interested in the negro race may “cordially join” in the endeavors promoted by this man for “poor down-trodden Africa,” is our most earnest wish, and, with this in view, we heartily welcome and commend Dr. Blaikie’s book.