“Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.” – William Carey
William Carey is often called ‘the father of modern missions.’ He went to India in the early 19th century never to return to his native England where an association of ministers supported him. William Carey ministered, preached, and translated for seven years before seeing fruit from his labours. Though he was known by many of the highest officials in India, he told a friend as he was dying, “When I am gone, say nothing about William Carey – speak only about William Carey’s Savior.”
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure –
The saint’s and angels’ song.
– Attributed to Meir Ben Isaac Negoral, c. 1050
This is one of my favorite verses of poetry. It so vividly exalts God. I love the way the author (and translator) used language to create a clear picture of the immensity and greatness of just one of God’s attributes.
