David Livingstone
David Livingstone
David Livingstonewas a Scottish Congregationalist pioneer medical missionary with the London Missionary Society and an explorer in Africa, one of the most popular national heroes of late–19th-century in Victorian Britain. He had a mythical status that operated on a number of interconnected levels: protestant missionary martyr, working-class "rags-to-riches" inspirational story, scientific investigator and explorer, imperial reformer, anti-slavery crusader, and advocate of commercial and colonial expansion...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionExplorer
Date of Birth19 March 1813
CityBlantyre, Scotland
Though there is antipathy in the human heart to the gospel of Christ, yet when Christians make their good work shine, all admire them. It is when great disparity exists between profession and practice that we secure the scorn of mankind.
Creeping with awe to the verge, I peered down into a large rent which had been made from bank to bank of the broad Zambezi, and saw that a stream of a thousand yards broad leaped down a hundred feet [30 m] and then became suddenly compressed into a space of fifteen to twenty yards.
Anywhere, provided it be forward-- farther still farther into the night.
It is hard to work for years with pure motives, and all the time be looked upon by most of those to whom our lives are devoted as having some sinister object in view.
In this service I hope to live; in it I wish to die!
It is far easier to travel than to write about it.
Providence seems to call me to the regions beyond
.... the brisk exercise imparts elasticity to the muscles, fresh and healthy blood circulates through the brain, the mind works well, the eye is clear, the step is firm, and a day's exertion always makes the evening's repose thoroughly enjoyable.
Education has been given us from above for the purpose of bringing to the benighted the knowledge of the Saviour.
If success attend me, grant me humility; If failure, resignation to Thy will.
Self-deception helps us deceive.
I am a missionary, heart and soul.
He who died for us, and Whom we ought to copy, did more for us than we can do for any one else. He endured the contradiction of sinners. We should have grace to follow in His steps.
I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office.