
The book opens with a vivid picture of an ancient Greek relay race, where torch‑bearers hand the flame from one runner to the next, cheering crowds urging them onward. That image becomes a metaphor for a centuries‑long relay of faith, as each chapter follows a new champion who picks up the spiritual fire and carries it across seas, deserts and mountains. The narrative begins with the early Christian pioneers—Paul’s daring voyages from Damascus to the Aegean, his journeys through Cyprus and Asia Minor, and the way his message spreads like a bright flare across the Roman world.
From there the story moves into the medieval era, tracing how the torch was passed to intrepid missionaries trekking through dense forests and rugged highlands. Their encounters with wild beasts, hostile peoples and harsh climates reveal a relentless courage that fuels the spread of belief. Through lively storytelling and rich historical detail, the book invites listeners to witness the early stages of a remarkable relay that shaped the spiritual landscape of Europe.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (356K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2005-09-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1879–1951
An Oxford-born historian and biographer, he wrote lively books on missionary history, religion, and world cultures, bringing big subjects to general readers. His work ranged from lives of David Livingstone, Booker T. Washington, and John R. Mott to hymns and writing on the ecumenical movement.
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