"March of Faith" by Lindley J. Baldwin

From the book, "The March of Faith"

"The greatest leadership is that which creates other leaders. Democracy depends for its preservation upon the capacity to pass on the torch of leadership from one generation to another, - The March of Faith through the ages."

The book tells the touching true story of a African prince who was tortured by his captors as a ransom for the defeat of his tribe. While he was hanging on a cross in Africa, a light from heaven shone down on him and he was led to safety. He later understood that this God is the same God who sent His own son to suffer in a manner similar to his experience. He escaped to Liberia where he was found by a missionary who told him the gospel story and the story of Paul. Immediately, he recognised that the Christian God is the same God who rescued him with a beam of light. He became her first convert and she christened him, Samuel Morris. He learnt all he could about Christ but his hunger and desire to know the Holy Spirit could not be met by the missionary. By faith, he trusted God to bring him to America where he was taken in to study in Taylor University Bible School. He unwittingly became an influence among the students in the university and was known for his direct, calm 'talks' with the Father. The Holy Spirit would powerfully convict everyone with whom he prayed for. He was not a charismatic leader, nor was he a great orator. But the Holy Spirit worked through an uneducated man in such a powerful way because he had a simple, childlike trust in his Father. Samuel died 5 years after he arrived in America at the age of 21. His influence however is still felt and seen in Taylor University. Many have left to Africa in his place to reach his people. Taylor University was also at the brink of closing just before Samuel's death but God inspired the trustees to have faith and miraculously brought ten thousand dollars and ten acres of land to rebuild the university. Just before his death, the students came to pay him their daily visit and Sammy told them with quiet joy that he now understood it all. He said "I am so happy. I have seen the angels. They are coming for me soon. The light my Father in heaven sent to save me when I was hanging helpless on that cross in Africa was for a purpose. I was saved for a purpose. Now, I have fulfilled that purpose. My work here on earth has been finished." Dr. Reade questioned him about the great work he had planned to do amongh his own people in Africa. Sammy answered, "It is not "my work". It is Christ's work. He must choose his own workers. Others can do it better."
A must-read book! God challenged me to realise it is not my ability to relate to people, nor my charismatic personality nor my talent that will bring people to God. It is His spirit alone, and He is with me. I only have to keep my ears open for His voice, trust and obey, and march the march of faith.