Giveaway: A Pastor’s Sketches by Ichabod Spencer

A PASTOR’S SKETCHES – Conversation’s with Anxious Souls Concerning the Way of Salvation two volumes in one by Ichabod Spencer.

This giveaway is sponsored by Solid Ground Christian Books. They have some great titles. Check them out online: Website | Facebook | Twitter.

Anyone I’ve talked to who is familiar with these volumes has nothing but praise for them. Below is some information from the description page about Spencer’s volumes, including endorsements, followed by an excerpt.

These sketches were first published in 1850 and 1853 toward the end of the remarkable ministry of the man known as “The Bunyan of Brooklyn.” These books consist of 77 “sketches” or “case studies” drawn from the ministry of one of America’s greatest pastors. It is required reading in three Seminaries in the USA with more to come. It is changing lives in over 25 countries and all 50 States and has drawn high praise from dozens of evangelical and reformed leaders throughout the world, like: Jerry Bridges, Maurice Roberts, Ernie Reisinger, James White, Gordon Keddie, Tom Nettles, Joel Beeke, Conrad Mbewe, Geoff Thomas and Peter Jeffery.

A Pastor’s Sketches is a sobering and challenging reminder that the Holy Spirit is the true agent of conversion. This book is urgently needed today when so much of our evangelism is patterned after current marketing methods. It has deeply convicted me to always seek to be in tune with the Holy Spirit as I minister to others. – Jerry Bridges

The excerpt below from volume 1 will give you a feel for Spencer’s writing and his approach to ministry.

The Arrow Driven Deeper
Finding it impossible, on account of the number, to have much conversation with each individual at the inquiry meeting, I at one time abandoned the practice of conversation for a few weeks, and addressed them all together. I found this was unacceptable, and concluded, therefore, to return to the former custom. It was on one of those evenings, when about seventy persons were present, and I was passing rapidly from one to another, that I came to an individual who had never been there before. Said I: “What is the state of your feelings on the subject of your salvation?” “I feel,” said he, “that I have a very wicked heart.” “It is a great deal more wicked than you think it,” said I; and immediately left him, and addressed myself to the next person.

I thought no more of it till a few days afterwards, when he came to me with a new song in his mouth. He had found peace with God, as he thought, through faith in Jesus Christ. Said he: “I want to tell you how much good you did me. When I told you that I had a very wicked heart, and you answered that it was a great deal more wicked than I thought, and then said nothing more to me, I thought it a most cruel thing. (click to read the whole thing)

To enter the giveaway – The giveaway is over.

• Leave a comment below telling me you want to be in the drawing and your entered.

For one additional entry do one of the options below:

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Let me know in your comment if you entered twice. Yeah, we’re still using the honor system. Also, this is for residents of the U.S.A. and Canada only.

The drawing will end Saturday, September 4th Monday, September 6th.

Special thanks to Solid Ground Christian Books.

About the author

Mark is a Christian, husband and father. He is a businessman attending seminary in the off hours working on his M.Div. preparing for vocational ministry.

The above article was posted on August 23, 2010.