John Boyana Radasi – Missionary to Zimbabwe by Jean Nicolson.
Published by Free Presbyterian Publications. Paperback, 112 pages, £4.95 but obtainable at £4.00 from the Free Presbyterian Bookshop, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LE.
THIS is a most welcome and useful addition to previous books which have been written about the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Mission in Africa. It presents to us an outstanding servant of Christ. The Rev. John Boyana Radasi was the African missionary (of the Fingo tribe) used by God for establishing the Church’s Mission in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Although the book has been written for young people especially, other readers are finding it to be very informative and absorbing.
The opening chapters introduce us to the early life of Radasi: his family background, conversion, coming in contact with the Free Presbyterian Church, training for the ministry in Scotland, and his eventual settling at Ingwenya, 30 miles north-east of Bulawayo, to begin his preaching and teaching labours among the Matabele people in 1904.
The next section deals with the history of the Matabele tribe and the white settlers, and brings the reader right into the picture of the situation in which Mr Radasi began his missionary work. The remainder of the book deals in some detail with his work and the founding and progress of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Africa.
One of the fascinating parts of the book is the account of the Lord’s remarkable providence in leading Mr Radasi to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. It is also striking how faithful and conscientious Mr Radasi was in carrying out his numerous duties, in adhering to the doctrines, worship and Christian practice required by the Word of God, and in keeping the Sabbath Day according to the Scriptures. Mr Radasi’s gracious conduct toward his fellow-men marked him out as a Christian gentleman of high character.
Not least, there were the fruits to his ministry: sinners brought from death to life, and to walk in newness of life. In the several interesting accounts of such cases we see the basic marks of conversion come across clearly: a deep consciousness of sin and finding refuge in Christ alone. This cheers the heart, especially in this sad day of so many spurious conversions.
Having read the book, one is left with the distinct impression that the Rev. John Boyana Radasi was an outstanding Christian, and a most remarkable missionary and minister of the gospel. This little volume is worthy of a place in every home and is most suitable to give as a present to friends. We heartily commend it and pray that it will be blessed to young and old. DAF
Smooth Stones Taken from Ancient Brooks by C. H. Spurgeon.
Published by Soli Deo Gloria Publications. Hardback, 269 pages, £14.95, but available at £12.95 from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom, 133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LE.
THE pithy sayings, striking similes and illuminating illustrations in the preaching of many of the Puritan divines make the reading of their sermons to be especially interesting. This fact is clearly indicated by Smooth Stones Taken from Ancient Brooks, a collection of about a thousand sayings from the works of the renowned Puritan, Thomas Brooks (1608 – 1680).
Most of Brook’s writings are addressed to believers (as is seen in his The Crown and Glory of Christianity or The Necessity, Excellency, Rarity and Beauty of Holiness, The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod, A Believer’s Last Day Is His Best Day, and other such titles). Therefore, while there is great variety of subjects covered by these sayings, most of them deal with such matters as overcoming sin, growth in the several graces, communion with God, the afflictions of the godly, the preciousness of Christ, and God as the portion of His people.
Having compiled this excellent collection, Spurgeon says, “One of these pithy extracts may assist our meditations for a whole day, and open up some sweet passage of Scripture to our understanding.” Certainly, a considerable number of the sayings are very impressive and thought-provoking. Here is just one: “Private prayer is a golden key to unlock the mysteries of the Word unto us. The knowledge of many choice and blessed truths are but the returns of private prayer. The Word dwells most richly in their hearts who are most in pouring out their hearts before God in their closets.” No doubt many readers will make use of the book in their private devotions.
The compiler evidently had in mind the usefulness of the collection for preachers also. He says, “Perhaps some brief sentence may stick in the sinner’s conscience, like an arrow from the bow of God.” However, the preacher will have to be resigned to making his own index of the sayings, as the book has none and the sayings have no titles.
Spurgeon rightly calls the sayings “precious stones”. Like the precious proverbs of the Book of Proverbs, they are not so much pearls on a string, having a theme running through them, as jewels in a casket. Many of which are especially sparkling. “Adorn thyself with them,” says Spurgeon, “by putting them into the golden setting of holy practice, which is the end the writer always aimed at.”
Not only are the contents valuable but the print is large and clear, the hardback binding is good, and the dustjacket is attractive. It will make an excellent gift. May it prove a blessing to many. ■