By Dr. Roberto Escamilla

Those of us who were privileged to hear Dr. E. Stanley Jones (affectionately called “Brother Stanley”) preach are now delighted to be able to read his sermons and to hear his incomparable voice once again. Though Brother Stanley died in 1973, those who were not so fortunate as to hear him will be greatly inspired by Living Upon the Way.

E Stanley Jones was described as the “greatest missionary since Saint Paul.”  He was an evangelist, apostle, missionary, author of 29 books, statesman, founder of Christian Ashrams, ecumenical leader and spokesman for peace, racial brotherhood, and social justice — a friend to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi and a constant witness for Jesus Christ.

We are all indebted to the supreme contribution that Anne Mathews-Younes, his granddaughter, has made in providing us not only a printed copy of fifteen of Brother Stanley’s sermons, but also a CD recording of each sermon.  Anne has wisely chosen some of Dr. Jones most powerful sermons that are destined to become classics.

The sermons by E. Stanley Jones deal with subjects that are amazingly relevant to our post-modern world.  Some of his titles are Self Surrender, Conversion, Jesus is Incarnate God, The Way to Live is by Grace and Receptivity, Love is the Strongest Force in the Universe and Will Win, and many more.  They all speak to the very heart of the human condition in this 21st century.  There is no question about the fact that E. Stanley Jones was indeed far ahead of his time!

E. Stanley Jones began his ministerial career as a missionary to India in 1907 where he served as a pastor, a district superintendent, and an evangelist.  He became known as an evangelist to the educated population of India because his approach appealed not only to the heart but to the intellect as well.

Later in his ministry, Dr. Jones began spending half of his time traveling as an evangelist, not only in the United States, but literally around the globe.  In the 1930s, he created a Christian Ashram in India, and in 1940, he transplanted the concept to the United States. The movement spread to countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and it continues to this day.

It was out of his rich experience dealing with people and their problems in all kinds of cultural settings and languages that he wrote his books which sold over 3.5 million copies, and this was way before our Internet era.  Many of his most popular books are of a devotional nature and Living Upon the Way is the first and only book containing a collection of his sermons.

Preachers, counselors, seminary professors, evangelists, psychiatrists, physicians, and lay people will find his printed and audio sermons to be an excellent resource of personal inspiration and profound insights for victorious daily living.  They convey his unique sermon illustrations and profound theological concepts translated into practical terms in an amazingly contemporary language.

The author and compiler of E. Stanley Jones’ sermons, Dr. Anne Mathews-Younes, traveled extensively with her grandfather.  She is a psychologist who a few years ago completed an MTS degree at Wesley Theological Seminary and at present is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley.  Her accurate perception and keen insights into the heart and mind of E. Stanley Jones are worthy of high commendation and respect.  Her Introduction and Sermon Commentaries provide a helpful context to our understanding of the material.

The book may be purchased for $10, or the book and 15 CD set together for $25 and can be purchased from The United Christian Ashram Office at 901 South Vienna Street, Ruston, LA 71270, Phone:  (318) 232-0004,  (www.christianashram.org)

All proceeds benefit the ongoing evangelistic work started by Dr. E. Stanley Jones in the United States and in India.