William Carey

by F. Deauville Walker

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802495621
• Release Date: July 1980
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A faithful biography to William Carey's own criterion

This is the second biography of William Carey which I have read. Although short (256 pages), it is a comprehensive portrait of his life, nearly every chapter clearly setting forth the years in view. The edition which I own was printed in Chicago by Moody Press in 1960. Toward the beginning, the author, F. Deaville Walker, briefly wades into the theology behind Carey's drive for mission, unfolding that he left the Church of England to become first a Dissenter, then a Baptist. Although a Baptist and Calvinistic, he did not agree with the hyper-Calvinistic views of his peers who shrunk from taking the gospel to the heathen. Although disagreeing in soteriology, he affirmed the work of Charles and John Wesley in proclaiming the gospel where it had not been known. This then was the topic of his first book, An Enquiry, and the great force of his life: "to spread the knowledge of [Christ's] name," as his book begins: "As our blessed Lord has required us to pray that his kingdom may come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven, it becomes us not only to express our desires of that event by words, but to use every lawful method to spread the knowledge of his name...conscientious activity therein would form one of the strongest proofs that we are the subjects of grace." Then, later on in his book, Carey says "If the prophecies concerning the increase of Christ's kingdom be true...it must be inferred that all Christians ought heartily to concur with God in promoting His glorious designs." Although I wish the author had spent more time contemplating the theological connections to Carey's purpose, the contours of his life and theology are clearly visible. Of these, the feature of his life that has most stuck in my mind is this paragraph, from chapter four. Carey is now old, writing to his nephew: "Eustace, if after my removal anyone should think it worth his while to write my life, I will give you a criterion by which you may judge of its correctness. If he give me credit for being a plodder he will describe me justly. Anything beyond this will be too much. I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything." Later in the book, when Carey's pursuits were challenged, he answered his critics with this statement: "Few people know what may be done till they try, and persevere in what they undertake." F. Deaville Walker has held true to Carey's own criterion. His biography shows a wretched sinner, William Carey, and his glorious plod -- his love for Christ and his love for the gospel expressed in enduring service that Christ might be known and renowned among the peoples of East Asia.