Grace in Winter

by Faith Cook

By any standard, Samuel Rutherford was a remarkable as a pastor he was devoted to his congregation in Anwoth, Scotland; as a leading churchman he was selected in 1643 as a member of the Scottish delegation to the famous Westminster Assembly; as a scholar he was offered some of the most distinguished professorships in Europe; as a letter writer Samuel Rutherford stands second to none in the galaxy of those whose personal correspondence has appeared in published form. Yet, perhaps the description which owuld have most encouraged and humbled Rutherford himself came from the lips of a visiting Englishman who said of him that he 'heard a little fair man, and he showed me the loveliness of Christ'. Rutherford knew that the heart of Christian experience is in union and communion with Christ. He saw, with the apostle Paul, that only those who share in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings experience the power of his resurrection. To him, joy in the Lord and suffering for him were inseparable elements of Christian experience. 'Grace' he wrote out of deep personal experience, 'grows best in winter'. In these pages, Faith Cook has sensitively transformed Rutherford's eloquent prose into the form of poetry, and provided cameo portraits of his correspondents. Grace in Winter n ot only gives pleasure and joy because of its poetry; it also shares the encouragement, comfort and wisdom of Rutherford's own ministry. Faith Cook, daughter of O.M.F. missionaries, lives in Hull, where he husband Paul is minister of Kingston Reformed Church.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1990

About the author

Faith Cook was born in China, the daughter of OMF missionaries, and now lives in Derbyshire. She is married to Paul, who served as a pastor in churches in Northallerton, Shepshed and Hull. They have five children and ten grandchildren. She is also the author of Lives Turned Upside Down, The Nine-Day Queen of England, Our Hymn-writers and their Hymns, Seeing the Invisible and Under the Scaffold.

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose introductions to each selection of poetry are very helpful and well-written. The poetry itself is consistently beautiful and true to Rutherford’s original letters. This book would be good for devotional use or for prayer meetings. Some of the poems would make for good hymns, even if Rutherford would not have sung them (he sang only Psalms).

[Derek van Vliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Letters of Rutherford before where I first started reading about him. Before then I only heard a lot of Rutherford from well known teachers like Joel Beeke. I received this book as a highly regarded recommendation from a dear friend and I really loved the book from its outset to its end. I grew a great love and respect for Mr. Rutherford in his tender care in prayer, encouragement and love he displays in his letters for the people he writes to. He did not shy away regarding the truth of God's sovereignty in suffering, and emphasising that it is actually the greatest consolation to the Christian.

We wouldn't console a brother like Rutherford did. We do not yet trust God's word or believe it as it stands. We also aren't as thoughtful and loving to others in the Church as we think we are. Rutherford took great lengths in knowing his flock and cared about everything that happened. Being a very busy person himself, suffering the loss of his wife and children etc. His words in the letters display a deep love and trust for God's word. A man tried and his faith grew supernaturally. He prayed much, never ceased from his pastoral duties. Many preachers today change Churches. Not Rutherford. He loved the flock where God put him, and he would gladly suffer to be with them. A true shepherd showing the qualities of the Chief shepherd - Jesus. Godly man among the Godly. If you are one who are going through much trials and need "grace in winter", then this book will be a good encouragement for you.

O time speed swiftly on,
Bring near the longed-for day
When Christ shall call His mourners here
To come away.

[Emma Hinkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took letters from Samuel Rutherford who was a Scottish Pastor in the 1600s and put them into poetry form. It also detailed the lives of some of the people Rutherford wrote to.

It was a sweet book and I did enjoy learning more about Rutherford.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably poignant. Christ-exalting. Strengthened my heart as I read it. Particularly helpful for anyone enduring suffering.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samuel Rutherford was an amazing Scottish man that loved the Lord and encouraged people during their grief in the 1600's...and I think I am going to try to find more letters that he wrote.

However, this book only has excerpts from his letters and Faith Cook wrote poems that paralleled his writings. This book was a stretch for me since I don't read poetry all that often. It was a great read and it really helped my soul during my grieving process...