Henry Martyn’s ‘Twenty sermons’
Our library has an exciting new book that you will not want to miss!
Legare Street Press recently published a facsimile reprint of the book: ‘Twenty sermons’ by Henry Martyn. Originally published in 1822, we now have a lovely quality paperback edition of this book, two hundred and two years later! We have the original in our archives but you no longer have to worry about damaging a fragile book as you open the cover and turn the pages or get dusty reading this beautiful copy.
The twenty sermons were published posthumously. Henry Martyn (1781-1812) devoted his life to bringing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to India and Persia and he accomplished a huge amount in his short lifespan, including quality translations of the New Testament, Psalms and Book of Common Prayer. The twenty sermons in this book capture the heart of the gospel message that he brought to the people.
They were all preached in India, the first ten in the Old Church in Calcutta in the latter half of 1810. They were selected from a parcel of manuscript sermons kept by his friends. Only the last sermon of this collection was intended for publication and printed during his lifetime, but after his death the desire to understand more about his preaching and his devotion to the work of mission gained momentum, and this sermon collection was published.
2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 is quoted in the preface by the original editors to illustrate the principles with which he was inspired in his missionary labours: “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” NKJV
“Animated by these principles, Martyn pursued his course. May a double portion of his spirit rest on all who follow him in the same wide field of labour!”
Editors of the original preface
— Ruth MacLean, Librarian
