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The Autobiography of William Jay
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
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As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
586 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1974
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January 3, 2016
A common title, and readily available second-hand, but I've never yet knowingly met anyone who has actually read it. It's definitely worth four stars, but it's the sort of book that leaves one with a mixed impression. It's divided into parts - the Autobiography itself, Reminiscences by Jay of some of his contemporaries, and Letters, with a few sections by the editors (John Angell James and George Redford) narrating portions of his life not covered by the autobiography, and assessing the man as a preacher and author.
The Autobiography itself is a real delight to read. He wrote it in small themed sections, in the form of letters to his children, which are full of his views and opinions and insights. This section makes it of great worth to potential candidates for the ministry, and to pastors. They may find it thought-provoking, and receive some timely advice and warnings and wisdom from a man who pastored his church for 62 years.
The Reminiscences may also have some lessons and warnings to give, and they may interest some readers for the new insights they give into the lives and characters of some notable men of the period - John Newton, William Wilberforce, Rowland Hill, Samuel Pearce etc.
The letters are readable, even if the small print is at first a bit daunting and significantly slows down the pace at which you seem to be progressing through the book.
The different sections, each with their own feel and each with a different pace, means that the final impression of the book is less glowing than it would be if you had been able to stop immediately after the Autobiography. It's an interesting book to read, especially for pastors and students for the ministry as I mentioned above, who I think ought to read it. For the general Christian reader, I think they will find much in here to enjoy and to benefit from, though I wouldn't impress it upon them as essential reading.
Men of this ilk and this era ought to be studied more today. We live in days when pastors think they have the right to retire the moment they reach the age of 65. Gone are the days when pastorates lasted for upwards of fifty years, all spent in the same church. Where are the Rowland Hills and William Jays and John Angell James's today? Much ought to be learned from their faithfulness to their calling, and their contentedness (and delight) to remain with the same congregations for life, preaching to large numbers till the ends of their days, and beloved by their people. Are these not the men who today's students for the ministry should be aspiring to be like and learning to emulate?
The Autobiography itself is a real delight to read. He wrote it in small themed sections, in the form of letters to his children, which are full of his views and opinions and insights. This section makes it of great worth to potential candidates for the ministry, and to pastors. They may find it thought-provoking, and receive some timely advice and warnings and wisdom from a man who pastored his church for 62 years.
The Reminiscences may also have some lessons and warnings to give, and they may interest some readers for the new insights they give into the lives and characters of some notable men of the period - John Newton, William Wilberforce, Rowland Hill, Samuel Pearce etc.
The letters are readable, even if the small print is at first a bit daunting and significantly slows down the pace at which you seem to be progressing through the book.
The different sections, each with their own feel and each with a different pace, means that the final impression of the book is less glowing than it would be if you had been able to stop immediately after the Autobiography. It's an interesting book to read, especially for pastors and students for the ministry as I mentioned above, who I think ought to read it. For the general Christian reader, I think they will find much in here to enjoy and to benefit from, though I wouldn't impress it upon them as essential reading.
Men of this ilk and this era ought to be studied more today. We live in days when pastors think they have the right to retire the moment they reach the age of 65. Gone are the days when pastorates lasted for upwards of fifty years, all spent in the same church. Where are the Rowland Hills and William Jays and John Angell James's today? Much ought to be learned from their faithfulness to their calling, and their contentedness (and delight) to remain with the same congregations for life, preaching to large numbers till the ends of their days, and beloved by their people. Are these not the men who today's students for the ministry should be aspiring to be like and learning to emulate?
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