©1993, Christian Focus Publications, 389 pp. in hardback

People familiar with Africa today tell us it is a continent on which the Holy Spirit is doing a mighty work. Many are being brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a realization of a sure hope that David Livingstone had more than a century ago as he trekked through much of the unexplored continent in the face of disease, disappointment, and disbelief.

He was born into a poor, but pious, Scottish home in 1813. His home for himself, four siblings, and his parents was a room that measured one hundred forty square feet. The hardness of life in his youth was a forerunner to much of what he would experience in his adult years.

The author notes that once Livingstone was saved the themes of evangelism, exploration, and emancipation marked his life. As one reads this biography, it is clear that the author has made a correct assessment.

Livingstone saw that knowledge of medicine would give him inroads to the mission field. He sacrificed much in order to obtain a medical degree. He was then accepted by the London Missionary Society and left for South Africa. There he worked with the legendary African missionary and his future father-in-law, Robert Moffat. Moffat soon challenged him to go inland and visit the thousands of African villages that had never seen a missionary. Little did the young missionary realize that this advice would be the path he would travel until his death.

As the evangelist journeyed inland he became increasingly appalled at the ongoing slave trade and the need for interior Africa to be explored and mapped. Such exploration would allow the area to be opened up for the establishment of missions stations and for the eradication of the slave trade. As the years went by, Livingstone became convinced, that if he could find the source of the Nile River, interior Africa would be opened up for commerce. He believed that this new trade avenue would drive out the perceived need for Africans selling other Africans for self-profit.

In this balanced, well-written volume, the author opens up Livingstone’s life of sacrifice, struggle, success and sorrow. After he was married in 1845, his wife, Mary, traveled with him. Great hardship was endured by all in the face of disease (malaria especially), drought, and a lack of interest among hearers of the Gospel. They lost their infant child, Elizabeth, to malaria.

Ultimately Livingstone sent his wife and their four children to England and a more comfortable life while he did further exploration and evangelism for two years. His absence from his family stretched into four years. He gained fame for his exploration but lost a relationship of father to his children due to his long-term absence. Sadly, this relationship was never restored with the exception of his ongoing communication with his daughter, Agnes.

When Livingstone did return to England he decided, to the Society’s surprise, to resign and become a consul in Africa for Britain. He returned to Africa in 1858 with his wife.  Their children were left behind to continue their education. Learning that Mary was pregnant, he left her in southern Africa and set out on another exploration into the interior. He did not learn of the newborn until a year after the birth. His trip inland was marked by internal arguments among his fellow travelers. His continual, mistaken siding with his brother did nothing to end these quarrels. He faced increasing animosity from the Portuguese slave traders. This animosity did not help his relationship with the British government. The government ultimately ended its relationship with him as it saw no gain forthcoming.

Livingstone persisted on his own with meager financing from the Royal Geographical Society and the British government. He persevered in his search for the source of the Nile until his death in 1873.

This search was not successful yet the author notes that, unknown to Livingstone, his report to the government regarding a massacre raised public attention to the point of ending the African slave trade.

The author also provides an insightful account of Stanley’s persistent effort to locate Livingstone and the mutual friendship that quickly developed.

A number of Livingstone’s shortcomings, his pride, and lack of compassion and understanding of others’ needs, undue favoritism and failure to understand and fulfill family responsibilities are interwoven into the text. What a reminder that we are all sinners and in need of God’s grace.

Livingstone had a passion for evangelism and seeing the nations on the African continent come to Christ. He believed that multitudes of the population would one day be truly saved. This belief along with his own love for Christ gave him a seldom matched perseverance to press into the African interior. He believed that once the continent was emancipated from the slave trade tribal people would be more open to the freedom in Christ that the Gospel offered. More than a century later we can read of the fruit this missionary longed for but failed to see in his own day.

Biographies of Christians are generally a joy to read. This one is no exception. The author provides much insight into Livingstone’s life and times.  Additionally we are reminded anew how God uses sinners to advance his purposes. Livingstone grew in grace. As the years passed he saw and regretted his failure in family responsibilities and in poor management of interpersonal relationships. His devotedness to God grew as did his dependence on God. As readers we can be encouraged in the midst of our struggles with sin, to daily press forward with our God-given callings. In his life, Livingstone was under-appreciated by many. Yet he continued in his work because he labored for God not for man. These applications for our life are but a few of the many that can be gained by reading this work.   

Review ©2009 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia