1
February 1900 A.D. Mr.
(Bp.) John Charles Ryle’s Farewell Message
Graves,
Dan. “John Charles Ryle Wrote His Farewell Message.” Christianity.com. Jun 2007.
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/john-charles-ryle-wrote-his-farewell-message-11630660.html. Accessed 12 Jul 2014.
Those words were vintage Ryle. John was born
in England in 1816 into a home that considered itself Christian but was
actually lukewarm. While out shooting, he cursed in the presence of an older
man who rebuked him. "...He was the first person who ever told me to
think, repent and pray," said John. During an illness, he spent many hours
reading the Bible and thinking. A transformation came over his life through
pondering Ephesians 2:8: "By grace are you saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
He became a notable "low
church" (evangelical) pastor in the Church of England. He was especially
known for his clearly written tracts such as "Are You Born Again."
His writings glinted with quotable sayings. For example, in his Expository
Thoughts on the Gospel, he issued a solemn warning to those who
think it is enough to be baptized and attend church. "A religion which costs nothing, and consists in nothing but hearing sermons, will
always prove at last to be a useless thing." Another time he said,
"Satan cares not how spiritual your intentions may be, nor how holy your
resolutions, if only they are fixed for tomorrow!"
John took his stand on a belief
that the Bible is inspired from cover to cover. "Give me plenary [complete
in every respect], verbal inspiration with all its difficulties, rather than
the doubt. I accept the difficulties, and humbly wait for their solution; but
while I wait, I am standing on a rock."
He held a number of positions as
a churchman, using his talents well. At Stradbroke, he restored the decaying
church. He was made the first bishop of Liverpool. There he had to organize the
new diocese and deal with many difficulties.
A month after he wrote his
farewell letter, he resigned as bishop. Four and a half months later he died,
but his writings are still highly regarded.
Bibliography:
"Account of the Conversion of J. C.
Ryle." http://www.iserv.net/~mrbill/
Clippings from the files of David Holden, editor of
Select
Seed from the Granary, including a Christian Hero Card, a
communication from Mrs. Willard Ashley and an excerpt from the Christian
Beacon.
"Ryle, John Charles." Dictionary of
National Biography. Edited by Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee.
London: Oxford University Press, 1921 - 1996.
Ryle, J. C. "Are You Born Again?" http://www.txdirect.net/~tgarner/ryle4.htm
Last updated June,
2007
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