As I lay down my pen for the last time (literally, since I confess I am not computerized) at the age of eighty-eight, I venture to send this valedictory message to my readers. I am grateful for your encouragement, for many of you have written to me.HI: Andy Unedited.
Looking ahead, none of us of course knows what the future of printing and publishing may be. But I myself am confident that the future of books is assured and that, though they will be complemented, they will never be altogether replaced. For there is something unique about books. Our favorite books become very precious to us and we even develop with them an almost living and affectionate relationship. Is it an altogether fanciful fact that we handle, stroke and even smell them as tokens of our esteem and affection? I am not referring only to an author’s feeling for what he has written, but to all readers and their library. I have made it a rule not to quote from any book unless I have first handled it. So let me urge you to keep reading, and encourage your relatives and friends to do the same. For this is a much neglected means of grace. . . .
Once again, farewell!
Some day, I hope to hear, “Hey Mack, take the cuffs off him, I think he’s a Hall of Famer!”
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
"A much neglected means of grace..."
John Stott is retiring from public ministry (at the age of 88). His little book, Basic Christianity, was a great help to me in my early years as a Christian. Now, in his final book, The Radical Disciple, he leaves these words of gentle exhortation and farewell:
Labels:
books,
John Stott,
reading
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2 comments:
I don't think you meant Mere Christianity. That is a CS Lewis book.
Right. I meant "Basic Christianity," actually. But "Mere" is also good!
Error corrected. Thanks.
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