The Christian Hero: A Sketch of the Life of Robert Annan by John Macpherson

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This was a precious and timely book--from the beginning encouragement of a young man converted who seemed to be one of those "impossible cases" to his creative approach to reaching the lost, fueled by his passion to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. I was both encouraged greatly, and challenged, as well as blessed with new ideas which are both simple and practical on how I can easily do some of the same things which Robart Annan did in his time and place. This is a wonderful book for young men, but really for anyone--our family plans to use this book as gifts to lost people, as the gospel presentation is very clear, and the story compelling. We praise the Lord for the example of Robert Annan!

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I praise the Lord greatly for this remarkable testimony of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in Mr. Annan's life. I was introduced to this book by Mona Leiter. One of the highlights of this book is the description of his genuine conversion. He struggled and toiled to find the Truth and be saved to no avail. But the Lord in His own time and by His own grace miraculously regenerated this man revealing the glories of Christ's death, resurrection, and infinite love to this man. Throughout his life, he bore much fruit, and only deepened in his love for the saints and his zeal to preach the Gospel to all. I was inspired by his passion and compassion for the people whom he encountered, man and woman, great and small... Perhaps the most blessed portion of the book was the account of his joyous departure into heaven (ch 6). The Lord revealed glimpses of the heavenly pleasures to him before he died and he went home with full assurance of faith and resting in the love of His Redeemer and Shepherd who had carried him all the days of his life! Here is one of my favorite quotes (p. 53). "let Jesus be all; let nothing be in His way--no idols, no stumbling-block. Let Jesus have a clear course into your heart. The nearer a man lives to God's dear Son, the comelier is he in the eyes of God, and angels, and Godly men, but the more unlovely to a wicked world. Build your nest on the Rock of Ages, fast by the altar and the throne of God. Let Christ be your only desire. Care for nought but Him. Nothing else will satisfy your soul. Oh, what a portion He is! The fullness of the Godhead is ours. A glorious God is ours. The Savior is ours. The Holy Ghost is ours. All things are ours. Away then with every idol. Remember the doom of the slothful servant. When the householder went out to hire servants, he did not merely go to those who were full of head knowledge, but to those who were idle. Go to the vineyard and work for Jesus. The devil will try to keep you back; but resist him and cry for strength" Dear saints, you will be very blessed and inspired to read this beautiful testimony unto His glory!

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Christian Hero – set in the mid 1800’s in the region of Dundee in Scotland – winningly displays how God set His special saving love on a so-called worthless fellow named Robert Annan. Robert had wasted his youth in drinking, brawling and reveling. A three-month stint in jail left him anxious for change, but his attempts at self-reform only left him empty, miserable and in worse condition than before.

One night when he was 26, Robert attended a revival meeting and became deeply affected by the words of Scottish evangelist, Duncan Matheson. Robert left exclaiming, “Great God, am I shut out of salvation for ever?” After three tormented days grieving over his sin and hopeless of ever finding peace with God, the Holy Spirit came and enabled him to lay hold of this truth: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” From that day on, Robert anchored his hope on Jesus the Rock and never looked back. Instantly, he became like Paul – a “debtor to all men.” The very first night, Robert passed out tracts and preached to all who would listen. Everyone who knew him marveled at the change they saw. The second night he shared at a gospel meeting what the Lord had done for him.

His love for Christ and passion for souls seemed to know no bounds, and often after a day of hard labor, he would tirelessly and ardently preach in nearby towns. Soul-winning was his most important and urgent occupation and he lost no time or opportunity working in “the fields that were white for harvest.” He was especially burdened for those caught in the vice of drink and rabble rousing, as he had been, and often went to the nearby wharf to see if some of the hardest might be saved. Written by Rev. J. MacPherson, who knew Robert from the time he was a babe in Christ, the Christian Hero is an incredible and rousing testament to God’s power and delight to work through the meek and lowly to save the apple of His eye – the human soul. Its pages will surely stir the reader to cry along with Robert Annan, “I wish to do something for Christ!”

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