Anecdotes and Illustrations
Overview
In brief, 1–2 page parables and stories drawn from Torrey’s many years as a preacher, Anecdotes and Illustrations is bursting with joy for the Holy Spirit. Illustrating how God intervenes in our lives when we least expect it, Torrey’s inspirational anecdotes show us the power of God’s love and the impact it can have on those wandering blindly through life.
Top Highlights
“Real earnestness and love succeed where all argument fails.” (Page 16)
“And while Mr. Moody stood in the pulpit where all was coldness and death in the morning, that bedridden saint was holding him up in prayer before God. And God, who delights to answer prayer, poured out His Spirit. While the multitude saw Mr. Moody, God was looking at that bedridden saint.” (Page 136)
“The best argument for Christianity is a Christian life.” (Page 82)
“‘Not to keep this commandment.’ ‘Have you kept it? Have you loved God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind? Have you put God first in everything—God first in business, God first in politics, God first in pleasure, God first in study, God first in everything?’ ‘No, sir,’ he said, ‘I have not.’ ‘What have you done then?’ ‘I have broken this commandment.’ ‘Which commandment is it?’ ‘The first and the great commandment.’ ‘What have you done then?’ He replied, ‘I have broken the first and greatest of God’s commandments. I have committed the greatest sin a man can commit, but I never saw it before in all my life.’ And so have you, though, perhaps, you never saw it before in all your life.” (Pages 26–27)
“When we had finished, I looked up and said, ‘Did you really come?’ He said, ‘I did.’ I talked with him a little while and found that he really was trusting in the Saviour. That night he passed away to be with Him.” (Page 10)
- Title: Anecdotes and Illustrations
- Author: R. A. Torrey
- Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
- Publication Date: 1907
- Pages: 185
Reuben Archer Torrey (1856–1928) was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Torrey studied at Yale University, Yale Divinity School, Leipzig University, Erlangen University and received a doctorate degree from Wheaton College.
Soon after becoming a congregational minister, Torrey joined Dwight L. Moody in his evangelistic work in Chicago. Torrey became the superintendent of the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute).
He later became pastor of the Chicago Avenue Church (now the Moody Church). Torrey later served as a chaplain with the YMCA and dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now Biola University).
Torrey authored over 40 books in his lifetime. The classic four-volume set The Fundamentals includes over 90 articles by leading Christian scholars. The R. A. Torrey Collection features 15 titles of biblical doctrine and teaching from Torrey.