THE POWER AND THE GLORY

John Ross and the Evangelisation of Manchuria and Korea

Written by: John Stuart Ross

Published by: Christian Focus Publications Price: £15.99

John Ross is well known as a 19th century Presbyterian missionary to Korea, where Presbyterian churches thrive today after his 40-year ministry in the Far East. However, to date, there has been no definitive biography of his life and work in the Far East.

The publication of this book by a retired Free Church minister who shares the name (but is not related) changes that (the book is dedicated to his former congregations around the Great Glen).

This meticulously researched book has taken the author through many theological libraries in search of root material which forms the substance of the book.

The work is the first definitive account of Ross’s life and ministry although the author, in an introduction, is at pains to emphasise that the work is not an autobiography, although the detailed research could suggest otherwise.

For anyone interested in the advance of Presbyterianism in the Far East, this will be a fascinating read. It also paints a picture of the challenges faced both at home and overseas for those 19th century pioneers seeking to evangelise.

There is warm endorsement for the book from a number of academics, including Donald Meek, formerly Professor of Scottish and Gaelic Studies at the University of Edinburgh, who describes the book as ‘a thoroughly worthy memorial to Ross, the missionary and translator, but supremely and timeless and inspiring testimony to the fruit which follows the faithful sowing of Gospel seed.’