Toward Jerusalem

by Amy Carmichael

Ninety-two poems from the pen of Amy Carmichael. How they sparkle and inspire.

Genres: Poetry, Christian, Faith

131 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1988

About the author

Amy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the missionary work there.

Reviews

[Rebecca Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is poetry to sit with and sing with. Delightful, deep, full of wonder and joy, and yet also wrestling with the hard things of this world. absolutely beautiful.

[Denise Ballentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved her writing and poetry since my teenage years. When I found this book in a thrift store, many of the poems stirred up good old memories. I still remembered many lines by heart. Inspirational and encouraging. Some of the best Christian poetry ever written.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully fruitful re-read of an old favorite. Carmichael's poetic gems mingle warm sentiment with theological clarity. Especially meaningful this time around were "For Our Children" and "Come, Lord Jesus."

[Rebecca Romaneski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Carmichael was a missionary to India in the 19th/20th centuries. This book of her poetry is beautiful full of godly devotion.

[Virginia Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have memorized much of the poetry in this book. It sustains me.

[Jana Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've turned to this poetry time and time again, and am always reminded to look to Christ.

[Emily Woodham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to get a copy of this. I read my mother's copy in one night when I had insomnia. This book led me to buy Candles in the Dark.

[Madeline Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked about 1 out of every 6 or 7 poems.

[Jahnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems of prayers, praise, adoration, and worship to God. A collection I would reserve for necessary rereads.

[Caroline Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the most beautiful spiritual poetry I’ve read. I will treasure this book forever.

[Martyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel a bit mean to be the first person to give this book just two stars, but for me that accurately sums up my present feelings towards it - 'it was ok.' I probably read it in the wrong way as I hurried through it in one day. Maybe if I had taken the time to analyse and digest each poem, more of them might have appealed to me. As it was, few of them struck me at all. Two which did stand out were 'Thy Way is Perfect' and 'For Our Children'. But for the most part they didn't express what I was feeling and so felt largely irrelevant.

I'm not great at taking the time to decipher poetry. I like the meaning to be plain and obvious. I don't want to wrestle with a poem in order to understand what it is actually saying. Maybe I would have appreciated some of the poems better if they had some kind of explanation to set them in context and provide a basis for interpreting their meaning.

I don't regard this as the best introduction to Amy Carmichael's writings. I need to try reading some of her other books. If I see the poems spread out in their original settings, maybe I will begin to appreciate them more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Carol

“There are two Bethlehems in the land,
Two little Bethlehems there.
O Wise Men, to you understand
To seek Him everywhere?
The heavenly Child lies holily,
The heavenly Child lies lowlily,
No crown on His soft hair…

“For in His lovely baby days
Heaven’s door was set ajar,
And angels flew through glimmering ways
And lit a silver star.
No need for halo or for crown
To show the King of Love come down
To dwell where sinners are.”

[Abbie Anicete Hilario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through her timeless poetry, Amy Carmichael was able to paint a masterpiece of God's glory, love, and His being our all. My reading of the poems in this book has personally made me experience the "depth and length and depth and height Of Thy love's eternal wonder." I have never read such book of poems through which God has spoken to me as clear and as heartfelt as this.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Until this tyranny be overpast, Thy hand will hold me fast;
What though the tumult of the storm increase,
Grant to Thy servant strength, O Lord, and bless with peace."

This tiny book contains some the most beautiful and encouraging poetry for Christians. I plan to memorise some of the poems for refreshing of the mind in time of need.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Amy Carmichael's prose for years now, but I'm SOOO glad that I also tried her poetry. She writes with such conviction about her love for the Lord that it's truly inspirational and moving. I will definitely be seeking out the rest of her poems.

[Andrew Hubacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. The meter is not always as strict as I’d like, but so appreciate reading her poems in the context of her life in missionary service. This was a busy woman with many responsibilities and things on her mind. What a blessing that she was able to compose these short, effective, and sometimes masterful works of poetry.

[Arne Teigland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, lovely poems.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books for over a decade, a treasure, many memorized.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful. Keeping this in my Bible case.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A perfect companion to your daily devotional or Scripture reading. These short poems are beautifully written, meaningful, and rich with ideas to ponder. Highly recommended!!

[Magda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautifully inspiring poems penned by the great Amy Carmichael. Loved reading a poem-a-day as I journey to deeper relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and inspiring book of poetry.
"From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified,
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me."