Mr. A.T. Irvine

Below is an extract from a book titled "For God's Sake...Give Him a Chance," authored by A.T. Irvine, written in 1979, and though out of print it is available in many libraries in England.Mr. Irvine was in the navy throughout World War II, serving in the Fleet Air Arm as an officer in submarines and, finally, in command of a frigate.During the post war years he worked in Fleet Street, London.He was a director of the Daily Mail, the Daily Sketch and managing director of the London Evening News.Over many years his hobbies have included the study of religious teachings, reading philosophy and sailing.In his book, Mr. Irvine takes an experiential approach to religion.While discussing the anomalies that exist in this world, he writes:

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Of this effort and approach used by God's servants during those years, Mr. Irvine writes:

No one can deny that his organization is making a tremendous contribution to the understanding of the Christian way of life and the need actually to live the Christian teaching as opposed to paying just lip service to it.

The reason for sharing this is to encourage patience and vision.Although Mr. Irvine quoted from an article written more than 15 years ago, he is still mindful, today, of what he heard and read then.How God's work is accomplished changes and will continue to change.It will not be its portion or lot to become a "story or a by-word."Perhaps such a vision exists, in part, in the short sightedness of human beings.It invites comparison with the experience of Elijah (1 Kings 19:14-18).Elijah did not know of the 7,000 faithful in Israel, but we can be sure they knew about him.