The Evangelical Library.
Mr. Geoffrey Williams, who in the mature years of his life, was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, under the gospel ministry of the late godly Pastor J. K. Popham, Brighton, sought some way by which he might help in the extension of God’s Kingdom. Let the following extract from a leaflet sent to us, explain the nature and scope of Mr. Williams’ activities:—
“He developed a love for the books which reflect the Grace by which he had been so miraculously saved. These he began to gather in a private collection. The collection grew into the thousands, consisting of the richest of evangelical literature. Then there began to shape the plan of a ministry which would make these rare volumes available to God’s people far and wide—an evangelical library with facilities for the circulation of this heritage of truth . . . at home and abroad.” Then came the realisation. “This valuable library was placed in trust for the use of the Christian public” and a board of trustees elected.
“The Library is now located in permanent quarters at 78 Chiltern Street, opposite Baker Street Station in London. There are approximately 100,000 volumes at headquarters, with thirty branches throughout the world. The Times, on April 4, 1945, commented that the Evangelical Library ‘promises to be of great influence and far-reaching importance.’
“The aim is that books circulated by the Library ‘should extol the saving grace of the Saviour of sinners, and it is perhaps due to this guiding principle,’ says Mr. Williams, ‘that many of our leading Evangelicals have seemed so impressed not merely by the quantity but also by the quality of the books.’ ‘The Evangelical truths’ which emanate from the Scriptures became the touchstone in choosing books from the very first, and it continues so to-day. All modern Evangelical and Protestant works of a really worthwhile character are being added. The Library thus affords an excellent background for an authoritative Information Bureau, able at a moment’s notice to meet the needs of writers, teachers, preachers and others.
“The Evangelical Library makes available to its members for a minimum subscription of 7/6 per annum the largest collection of Evangelical works to be found anywhere. Books are available by post or by personal application. It is obvious that the minimum subscription is purely nominal and cannot possibly cover the overhead costs. The Library therefore looks to its friends throughout the world for financial support.”
Mr. Williams is the Librarian and Organising Secretary, to whom application should be made for further information at 78 Chiltern Street, London, W.1.
Man’s Worst Enemy.
The Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill, during a speech in the House of Commons, on Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, the 28th March, made the following statement:—”Man has conquered the wild beasts and the insects and the microbes. To secure the golden age, all that he need do is conquer his last and worst enemy—himself.” Mr. Churchill in these words gives expression, in his own unique style, to sentiments which are held by a vast number of people as they look out upon the world situation to-day. But on examination, the words of this eminent statesman and orator are open to criticism, not of a carping nature, but more by way of bringing the correcting influence of Scripture and reality to bear upon them. In a sense, man has, by the aid of scientific discoveries, mastered to a certain extent, and in certain ways, for example, the microbes. But, even in this sphere, man is but man, and his power very limited. For even at the time of writing, a widespread epidemic of influenza in Scotland is just easing off. There is as yet no mastery of the influenza germ, which operates as a plague and strikes down thousands of young and old. The God who plagued Egypt, in the days of Moses, still reigns, and in His just judgment, employs the rod of microbes, as well as other rods, to punish and chastise men and nations. Man cannot master the rods of God. Further, Mr. Churchill has uttered a solemn truth indeed when he asserts that man is his own worst enemy. So far so good, from the lips of a present-day politician! “O, Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself,” (Hosea xiii, 9). Yes, man is his own worst enemy, because he has destroyed himself morally and spiritually, by sinning against God. But when Mr. Churchill prescribed for man the formula for securing “the golden age” internationally, as follows: “All that he need do is conquer . . . himself,” then we must observe that such is a formula of folly. God and His abounding grace, through Christ Jesus, alone can conquer sinful and ruined man and make him a lover of God and his neighbour, and a peacemaker in the world. “In me is thine help,” (Hosea xiii, 9). What an encouraging day in our nation it would be if prominent politicians would unreservedly and publicly assert that we need the triune God in His great mercy and power to master us and our problems.