Evangelicals Now
<< November 1998 >>

Seeing the Invisible

Short biographical accounts of ten lesser known Christian men and women in church history

Christian cameos

Seeing the Invisible
By Faith Cook
Evangelical Press. 159 pages. £5.95
ISBN 0 85234 407 4

Faith Cook has chosen as her subject ten Christians whose names are little known in the history of the church. They are ordinary people to whom Christ gave persevering faith in the face of severe hardships.
Each account is brief but with sufficient detail to suggest adequate research and give an insight into the character and development of the person. She tells the stories of both men and women. One or two of the ladies were married to more famous men, e.g. Elizabeth Bunyan. Others had connections with the Wesleys and Spurgeon. Some were very young. One was a child of only 12. Others spent many years in faithful service to Christ.
The book is written in an easy, very readable style. It is not a book that glories in man but one which sets before us the transforming and sustaining power of the gospel. Although few Christians in western society today are likely to suffer the privations and persecutions of these earlier generations, yet they will find here inspiration and encouragement to live well for Christ, whatever their situation.
The black and white illustrations are interesting but not always of good definition and the picture of William Grimshaw on page 20 is missing altogether! Don't be put off by these minor blemishes and so miss out on an excellent little book.

Carol Gulliford