Thomas Johnson and Charles Spurgeon lived worlds apart. Johnson, an American slave, born into captivity and longing for freedom— Spurgeon, an Englishman born into relative ease and comfort, but, longing too for a freedom of his own. Their respective journeys led to an unlikely meeting and an even more unlikely friendship, forged by fate and mutual love for the mission of Christ. Steal Away Home Christ.
Steal Away Home is a new kind of book based on historical research, which tells a previously untold story set in the 1800s of the relationship between an African-American missionary and one of the greatest preachers to ever live.
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“There is one thing that man don’t own. There is one thing that man can’t ever own. He don’t own your soul. . . . . Jesus sets slaves like us free. He may not take away the chains from your hands and feet . . . . But, Jesus will do something even better that that. He will take off the chains from your heart.”
“Have you stolen away to Jesus?” Wracked with anger and the desperation for freedom, Thomas Johnson is convinced that emancipation means physical escape from the drudgery and hopelessness of life as a slave on a Virginia plantation. Imagine his surprise when he overhears conversation about a London preacher who writes sermon after sermon denouncing slavery as unnecessary evil, his words “bold enough to spark a two story fire in the middle of the town square in Richmond, Virginia” where thousands of pages are burned to ashes. It’s the first time that Thomas Johnson hears the name of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Providence will prove that it won’t be the last.
Charles Spurgeon bears heavy chains that are hardly physical, but mental and emotional. Called by God to preach at an early age, his almost overnight success is matched by deep, dark and relentless depression. Known around the world for his magnificent delivery and deep sincerity, ” no one knew the private anguish with which Charles lived . . . . he seemed to juggle his numerous responsibilities with ease . . . . and like the rise and fall of the tides, one moment of confidence seemed to follow another moment of anxiety – over and over again.”
It seemed that Charles Spurgeon needs a dear friend. . . . that unspoken prayer being answered in the form of Thomas Johnson, an unlikely hero, who makes his pilgrimage all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to study as a pastor. . . . . .whose seasoned eyes seem to peer deep inside Charles’ soul before delivering the words of encouragement that the great man of God needed to hear, ” we serve an all-sufficient God, whose burden is light, and whose yoke is easy. He is the Light of the World. . . . . Think about your suffering Charles . . . It’s a burden, yes. But a gentle burden. And it’s meant to stir up more faithfulness in you.”
What a deep and inspiring story! “Steal away, Steal away, Steal away to Jesus.”
Steal Away Home opens in 1841 when Spurgeon is a lad of 7 and concludes with his death in 1892. Authors Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey hit many highlights of Spurgeon’s life and ministry without glossing over the physical ailments and bouts of depression which often plagued him. Having recently read a biography about the “Prince of Preachers,” I believe how this book differs is by stressing the humility of Spurgeon as well as the beauty of his marriage. Both Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson appear to have been married to their perfect helpmates, and as a woman, I enjoyed these two portraits of Christian marriage.
Through this book, I was introduced to Thomas Johnson. It was interesting to learn how Johnson’s first heard Charles Spurgeon’s name mentioned at a public burning of the preacher’s books and tracts. His later pursuit of missions and attendance at the Preachers’ College boasted of God’s goodness and provision. As the title of the book states, their friendship was “unlikely” given their geographical, economic, and educational backgrounds, yet they overcame all of these obstacles by finding unity in Christ. Furthermore, they could commiserate with one another over suffering while praising God with their very next breath. What joy and comfort can be found in Christian friendships!
Overall, this story was insightful and inspiring. It didn’t possess as much dialogue as other historical fiction novels I’ve read, but I did feel a connection with these people. Looking back over the quotations I earmarked, I did notice a number of my favorites happen to be the words of Susannah Spurgeon. I’m curious to know if they can actually be contributed to her or if Carter and Ivey birthed them out of their own imaginations. Regardless, Steal Away Home is a fascinating read that will appeal to a broad Christian audience.
**I received this book free as a member of the B&H Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”