MARY SLESSOR
A Life on the Altar for God
By Bruce McLennan
Christian Focus. 261 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978 1 781 915 189
This biography of Mary Slessor makes for an astonishing read, both in her selfless consecration to God and the remarkable and lasting impact she made.
Born into a Scottish working-class family in 1848, she developed a rare force of character which marked out her 38 missionary years in Southern Nigeria with fearlessness and indefatigable zeal. Always a pioneer, she single-handedly broke into new territory time and again, where no white man had dared enter before. Her formidable risk taking eventually earned her the name ‘The White Queen’, commanding a deep respect and trust far and wide.
The gospel was pre-eminent in all she did and, through much travail, churches were planted in some of the most unreached areas (revival broke out after her death). The tribal belief that twins resulted from human and satanic conception meant that both babies were killed and the mother excommunicated. Mary Slessor rescued countless twins and their mothers and adopted many children. She set up hospitals, livelihood centres and many schools (her policy was no education without the gospel). Such was the depth of her love and identification with the people that she became known as ‘The Mother of All’.
Though exceptional, she attributed everything to the power of God through the prayers of his people. The insight given into the depth of her communion with God is beautiful. Abiding in him was the secret to her unwavering faith in God’s promises and sovereignty and her unquestioning obedience and joy in suffering. ‘His glory and the advantage of his cause’ were the sole preoccupation of her tireless labours of love for her Saviour and her people.
I challenge you to read this book and not feel deeply convicted by the beauty of a life poured out on God’s altar for eternity and not want the same – whatever the cost.
