Thoughts on Religious Experience by Archibald Alexander The new year seemed like a good time to get stuck into a meaty book again after some easy-reading picks in the busyness at the end of last year. So far this one is proving to be worthy of slow, thoughtful reading. What an enormously complex subject of […]

One of our bestsellers throughout the year is the Daily Remembrancer by James Smith. James Smith (1802-1862) was the predecessor of C H Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841 until 1850. He wrote this remembrancer for his own flock around 1840 saying ‘in this work I aim to speak in the […]

For who hath despised the day of small things?  Zechariah 4:10. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are the last three prophets in the Old Testament. These men preached after the Jews returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon. Because they ministered after that event, we call them the “Post Exilic Prophets.”  When around 516 BC the […]

Thomas Smyth (born in Belfast), pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C., from 1832-1873, gave several practical directions in a Manual for the members of his congregation. The following are twelve rules for promoting harmony among church members (that he appears to have taken out of William Plumer’s Manual for Church Members): 1. To […]

Newly published from Christian Focus Publications is Geoffrey Chang’s examination of C H Spurgeon’s Reformed ecclesiology and Baptist polity… here is an excerpt from the conclusion: More than a century has passed since his death, and yet Spurgeon remains remarkably relevant for modern-day pastors and church leaders. Much attention has been given to Spurgeon over […]

The Pastor’s Soul – The Call and Care of an Undershepherd by Brian Croft and Jim Savastio, published by Evangelical Press (2018). Conrad Mbewe suggests that this book should be read by pastors at least once a year as a spiritual health check. I agree. Especially Part One where Paul’s command to Timothy (1 Timothy […]

As the founding headmaster of a boys school, Alun Ebenezer is perfectly suited to write a book for young men. In 30 short chapters this little book encourages young men to embrace their masculinity, swim against the current tide of gender-confusion, and act as real Biblical men. Ever down-to-earth and practical Alun Ebenezer taps into […]

This is the perfect sort of book to take on holiday – historical fiction that pulls you in to another time and place and edifies you along the way. Here is our original review… It might sound a rather frivolous title, but don’t be fooled – this is a book with serious historical substance. The […]

Pause – How to enjoy God, find hope & bear fruit through midlife and the menopause by Sarah Allen (10Publishing, 2024) I’m must admit to being rather dismissive when I first saw this book being publicised. I mean, really? Do we really have to have a Christian book about every stage of life… even the […]

Freedom of conscience is an issue that pops up repeatedly. Roger Williams was a ‘rebel Puritan’ who grappled with this issue and was sadly persecuted for his views. Read our 2020 review of this biography: Perhaps this is not the most colourful re-telling of what must have been a very colourful life. But it is […]

Last weekend (Saturday 15th June 2024) I spent an excellent day at the Strength in Truth Conference in Surrey with a well stocked bookstall. Described as ‘A strict baptist conference for young people’ this conference aims to provide a forum for young people to meet up and hear Biblical viewpoints on a wide variety of […]

This article is taken from the Sinner Saved Magazine, Spring 2024. It was written by Henry Fowler (1779 – 1838) who was a hymnwriter and pastor at Gower Street Chapel (1821-1838). I cannot but mourn at the sad state of Zion. Surely the shadows of the evening are stretched out over us! Few are the […]