The Upper Room by J. C. Ryle Review
We've been working through J. C. Ryle's books on the channel, and this time it's The Upper Room. I had been waiting for Banner of Truth to bring it out in cloth binding to match the rest of their Ryle volumes, and I'm very thankful they finally did.
What the book is
This is the last book Ryle published, two years before he died. He basically said he wanted to publish it before he died, knowing he couldn't expect to write much more. It's a collection of his sermons, lectures and papers, and in my opinion it contains some of the best things he ever wrote. The contents run:
'They Went Up into an Upper Room' · 'Luke, the Beloved Physician' · Simplicity in Preaching · Foundation Truths · The Good Way · 'One Blood' · 'Let Any Man Come' · Victory · Athens · Portraits · 'To Whom?' · Our Profession · Many · Without Clouds · The Lord's Garden · The Duties of Parents · The Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen · Questions about Regeneration · Thoughts for Young Men · Questions about the Lord's Supper · 'For Kings'
A few of these pieces also appear in Ryle's other books. "Let Any Man Come," for example, is also in Holiness. It's still well worth having the book.
The highlights
Simplicity in Preaching is fantastic. Ryle explains how to preach plainly, and even describes how he prepared his own sermons, which fascinates me.
The Duties of Parents is a treasury of wisdom. I don't have children yet, but it has given me a great deal to think about for when I do. It's also published on its own as a small paperback.
Thoughts for Young Men I've read about six times. A few other young men and I have been working through it together on Friday mornings, an hour at a time, asking what each section means and how it applies today. Everything Ryle says still applies. I try to give a copy to every young man who crosses my path, because I'm convinced it would save young men a great deal of trouble and pain.
Two of the last chapters, Questions about Regeneration and Questions about the Lord's Supper, are written as a kind of catechism from the Church of England's standpoint, quoting the Prayer Book and the Homilies. Even if you aren't Anglican, they're full of sound, helpful doctrine.
Would I buy it?
Absolutely, and I'd buy it again. If you've never read Ryle, Holiness is the usual place to start, but The Upper Room is another excellent choice and very applicable to the Christian life today. You can also read Ryle for free in our Works of J. C. Ryle.
Soli Deo Gloria!
