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 PrintableVersion The greatest is charityThe life of Andrew Reed, preacher and philanthropistNumber 1 nominationTHE GREATEST IS CHARITY Less than 150 years ago Andrew Reed was so well known as an influential Christian leader that crowds lined the streets of London to watch his funeral cortege go by. But today he is almost unknown. My first encounter with his story was nearly 40 years ago in Evangelicals in Action by Kathleen Heasman. Just a page or two was included about one of his ventures; it was enough to set me wondering, and wanting to know more about him. Very little more came my way — until a parcel from Evangelicals Now dropped this book on my doormat. In the ten days since, I have had the most absorbing time reading Ian Shaw’s outstanding account of the remarkable life and ministry of a humble man, whose compassion for the needy and dedication to the Saviour was second to none. This is a really good book because it not only tells you about the work of the man but what made the man work. It will do your soul good! In fact, if I could award a Book of the Year award this would be my choice — and it will probably be yours too! BeginningsObscure beginnings match Andrew Reed’s obscure ending. He was the son of godly parents who lived in East London. His father was a watchmaker and Andrew was himself an apprentice to the trade when, at 15 years of age, he was converted at the Independent Chapel the family attended in Stepney. While shy and nervous in public, his potential was seen by others and he was encouraged in his passion for the study of theology. In due course he was to become the pastor of his home church, New Road Chapel, Stepney, where he served for 50 years. Even those who knew him best could hardly have anticipated the diverse ministry that he was to fulfil. By the time of that funeral thousands of people had been directly affected by his lifework, and indirectly many thousands more. During his long pastorate the church grew from a struggling Congregational church to become a regular congregation of 2,000, requiring the building of the new Wycliffe Chapel. Most of the members were converts from the locality, many of whom were won during periods of revival. The church was set in a poverty-stricken area and the needs of the people were close to Reed’s heart. Con-fronted with the plight of orphans and the fatherless, at the age of only 24 he began his first charity to provide a home for them. This grew into a major institution and spawned a second home for infants. Then, when internal politics resulted in Reed’s resignation, he soon found himself starting all over again with yet another charitable venture for the still uncared for hundreds of destitute children. Caring for the disabledHe was particularly concerned for those who were overlooked by society, and he saw the needs of people with learning disabilities as requiring urgent attention. Reed’s approach was always thorough and his research into provision for them took him to Europe. In due course he set up a charity to provide for their care and education. One of the people he recruited for this work was Dr. Langdon Down, whose work gave his name to Down’s Syndrome. And, when Reed’s own strength was failing, he turned the focus on the needs of people with incurable illnesses and initiated a place of refuge for them. All of this required huge sums of money and Reed made the raising of it his personal responsibility. He involved the wealthy, the noble and the royal family, swimming against the tide of discrimination against non-conformists. All the while, he sustained his regular preaching and pastoral ministry, as well as becoming involved in the work of the London Missionary Society and aiding the public campaign to give full citizens rights to non-Anglicans. He was large in his affection for other Christians and did all in his power to bring them together; he was disappointed that the formation of the Evangelical Alliance did not go further in this direction. Lost memoryDr. Shaw is less critical of Reed’s shortcomings than he might be, perhaps because Reed was a man of his times — as are we all! Reed is a man who makes one stand in awe of his energy and his spirituality. In fact I am left wondering how the memory of such an outstanding ministry has been lost. Perhaps it was obscured by those who came after and achieved greater fame in their day — like Spurgeon and Muller. He certainly set them an example to follow. In fact, so advanced were his methods that the State also took its lead from him in its response to learning disability. This book is a delight to read, and a pleasure to have. It should be at the top of your Christmas list! David C. Potter MBE© Evangelicals Now - December 2005 |
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