Memoirs is one of the greatest books I have read. Tom was a humble servant of the living God who struggled with his own insufficiencies and his personal weakness. I was greatly encouraged by his unheralded faithfulness through decades of apparent fruitless toil. I wept as I read his writings to his late wife of fifty years, "Ah, Margaret, we will see each other again, and you will no longer remember the multitude of my failures that stand before me now, the failures for which I am deeply culpable, the unfaithfulness of my life as a pastor-missionary..."Behold, I make all things new" I shall see Him face to face." And tell the story of Grace. He will wipe away every tear, and the enormity of my sin, of my sins, he will remember no more forever-for the blood of Jesus, the precious blood cleanseth even me from my sins. Oh, that I might never sin again. And one day I shall not, for I shall see Him face to face, and I shall be like Him, for I shall see Him as He is. "I have but one supreme desire, That I might be like Jesus" Margaret will see me as one who is holy, pure, good, lovable." Mr. Carson, thank you for a life well lived. ( )

This is an encouragement to stay faithful in ministry. Don Carson gives an account of his father's faithful ministry in Canada during the middle of the 20th century. Carson draws extensively from his father's journal and presents a picture of a man who while far from perfect was used of God effectively. Tom Carson never had a large congregation, but was content to do his best in the field that God called him to.
I recommend this to every man that is in ministry and apt to be discouraged. ( )

Having lived in Ottawa, I especially appreciated the background information the book offered on the situation in Quebec. It put Tom Carson's life story in perspective. As I read the book, I was touched by its honesty and humility. In a time when triumphalism reigns, it is wonderful to read of man who was found faithful even in discouraging times. I couldn't resist reading long passages of the book to my husband, also a pastor. He could hardly wait for me to finish for him to read the book as well. We have both heavily underlined and taken to heart the lessons about discouragement, fidelity to God's Word, taking a long term view of ministry, and the continuing need to pray for places where the Gospel does not flourish. We live in Brazil, but the truths about ministry found in this book resonate with the ministry here as well. It is a book I am grateful to have read. I also give thanks to God for men of integrity like Tom Carson. ( )

An extremely beneficial book, full of encouragement. As stated in the introduction, I too was encouraged to simply be faithful.

Absolutely fantastic! I read it in one sitting, couldn't put it down. ( )