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William Carey
A beautifully produced biography of the ‘father of modern missions’. Pearce Carey’s compelling pages convey the very atmosphere of that extraordinary period of missionary advance. This life of Carey is structured around a series of remarkable events, always unplanned and unexpected, which opened the way to undreamed of achievements. Carey and his colleagues overcame mountainous obstacles to become the most productive church planters and Bible translators of all time. No other work compares with this moving treatment.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 3, 2025
He just never stopped.
He truly kept the grand end in view. That view being Rev 7:9-10.
He was a man committed to God first and always fought to be true to the Lord.
He was a botanist, linguist, leader, follower, husband, dad, businessman. Whatever needed to be done, whatever money needed to be provided, he fought for the least of those and did much.
May I plod half as well and love the people where God has sent me as much as he loved the people of India.
He truly kept the grand end in view. That view being Rev 7:9-10.
He was a man committed to God first and always fought to be true to the Lord.
He was a botanist, linguist, leader, follower, husband, dad, businessman. Whatever needed to be done, whatever money needed to be provided, he fought for the least of those and did much.
May I plod half as well and love the people where God has sent me as much as he loved the people of India.
April 1, 2020
This is a tremendous biography on William Carey that will cause you to rejoice in the marvelous grace of God! S. Pearce Carey does a magnificent job of taking you to the different scenes, places, and events in the life of his great-grandfather. The story of Carey is complex with some devastating lows and exhilarating highs. It is a pity that this biography is not footnoted or indexed. Yet, the extensive research is clear to the reader. William Carey is a flawed man and a hero of the faith. Set aside some time and get to know the persevering plodder who preached the crucified Christ to the pagans in India!
August 21, 2021
Tremendously encouraging. This was a good reminder of the rich heritage we have as Baptists. I have always loved reading about the friendships that gave rise to the Northamptonshire Association and the birth of modern missions.
August 1, 2023
Why is William Carey known as "The Father of Modern Missions"? This book answers the question well. A poor cobbler's apprentice in an English village, saved as a teenager and converted to Baptist theology, inspired by the explorations of Captain James Cook (and a sailor relative), Carey developed a vision of taking the Gospel to the non-Christian world in a time when few believers considered it necessary. He overcame his own lack of qualifications, the doubts of Christian leaders of his day, and a massive range of setbacks and tragedies, and, alongside two remarkable partners (Ward and Marshman), he planted the Gospel in India in a way that changed that country. Moreover, in his own lifetime he saw many other English and American Christians follow in his footsteps to the foreign mission field. Today, as we see the Gospel spreading most rapidly in places once considered spiritual "dark," such as China and sub-Saharan Africa, we admire Carey all the more as a world-changer.
I have admired Carey for years, and have long intended to read a full biography. Out of many options, I chose this one, written by Carey's own great-Grandson. It's an inspiring, heartbreaking, amazing story, and the younger Carey does a great job of letting the principal actors tell the story in their own words, through extensive quoting of letters from Carey, his co-workers and sons, his supporters in England, and even his critics. If, like me, you're looking for one book to give you the essentials of a world-changing life, I recommend this.
The one downside: The book is over 100 years old. Some of the characteristics we look for in biographies today are mostly absent. One example: William's wife Dorothy lost her mind after a few years in India. Among other tragedies and setbacks, this may have been the most devastating to William and his co-laborers. A modern biography would seek to delve more deeply into Dorothy's illness. What did she suffer from? What was her life like during this period? Was her husband's behavior toward her in her illness what it ought to have been? Could anything more have been done for her? Pearce Carey doesn't attempt to answer these questions, giving only brief details of Dorothy's illness and assuring us that William did his best to love his wife in her infirmities.
Still, this book shines in doing what it intends: Presenting a picture of a man who changed the world through his dogged desire to take the Gospel to those who otherwise would never hear it.
I have admired Carey for years, and have long intended to read a full biography. Out of many options, I chose this one, written by Carey's own great-Grandson. It's an inspiring, heartbreaking, amazing story, and the younger Carey does a great job of letting the principal actors tell the story in their own words, through extensive quoting of letters from Carey, his co-workers and sons, his supporters in England, and even his critics. If, like me, you're looking for one book to give you the essentials of a world-changing life, I recommend this.
The one downside: The book is over 100 years old. Some of the characteristics we look for in biographies today are mostly absent. One example: William's wife Dorothy lost her mind after a few years in India. Among other tragedies and setbacks, this may have been the most devastating to William and his co-laborers. A modern biography would seek to delve more deeply into Dorothy's illness. What did she suffer from? What was her life like during this period? Was her husband's behavior toward her in her illness what it ought to have been? Could anything more have been done for her? Pearce Carey doesn't attempt to answer these questions, giving only brief details of Dorothy's illness and assuring us that William did his best to love his wife in her infirmities.
Still, this book shines in doing what it intends: Presenting a picture of a man who changed the world through his dogged desire to take the Gospel to those who otherwise would never hear it.
December 28, 2023
4stars because it was a hard one to read for me as a mom. This was a paperback with long pages + I felt that I need to read 10-20 minutes at once to help me follow along the plot. But as a mom, I rarely have 10 undisturbed minutes during the day.
Also, sometimes I wished that the biography would be written chronologically rather than thematically. I also missed knowing more about his wives.
Other than that - it was a delightful read. It is worth reading long, full biographies. I know so much more about modern missionary movement, William Carey, where Adoniram Judson comes in, 18th century, Bible translation in 19th century and so many other topics... before it was the "quote level" knowledge. A quote form Carey here or there... but the context is so worth reading, especially now, when social gospel pollutes the church. William Carey did everything, thinking about how to obey the Bible better and trying to preach clear Gospel everywhere he could. Praise God for such a man!
Also, sometimes I wished that the biography would be written chronologically rather than thematically. I also missed knowing more about his wives.
Other than that - it was a delightful read. It is worth reading long, full biographies. I know so much more about modern missionary movement, William Carey, where Adoniram Judson comes in, 18th century, Bible translation in 19th century and so many other topics... before it was the "quote level" knowledge. A quote form Carey here or there... but the context is so worth reading, especially now, when social gospel pollutes the church. William Carey did everything, thinking about how to obey the Bible better and trying to preach clear Gospel everywhere he could. Praise God for such a man!
March 5, 2020
Amazing inspiring story of faith, determination and courage with grace and humility, effective team working and lasting friendship. Respected for service to India/ Bengal in language and cultural understanding.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews