James H. Aughey (1828 – 1911) was an American Presbyterian minister and author. He is best known for his outspoken anti-Secession and pro-Union beliefs during the American Civil War, which led to his imprisonment by Confederate forces. After escaping from prison, he served as a chaplain in the Union Army.
Aughey authored several books. His most famous being, Tupelo, which discusses his imprisonment and escape, and details his experiences during the Civil War and his views on his Christian faith and freedom. His writings also show us his strong commitment to social justice.
During his career as a pastor he served in many congregations. He was also active in evangelistic efforts in Mississippi. In addition, Aughey in the 1890’s served as a missionary in the Oklahoma territory.
Aughey’s legacy is rich indeed. His Christian teachings and commitment to championing social justice causes, along with his many quotes continue to inspire Christians today. Below are many of his most famous quotes that I pray will bless you as they did me.1
“The church is not a select circle of the immaculate, but a home where the outcast may come in. It is not a palace with gate attendants and challenging sentinels along the entrance-ways holding off at arm’s-length the stranger, but rather a hospital where the broken-hearted may be healed, and where all the weary and troubled may find rest and take counsel together.”
“God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.”
“Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils, and the resurrection, of all his joys.”
“Christ is the Good Physician. There is no disease He cannot heal; no sin He cannot remove; no trouble He cannot help. He is the Balm of Gilead, the Great Physician who has never yet failed to heal all the spiritual maladies of every soul that has come unto Him in faith and prayer.”
“Conscience is the voice of God in the soul.”
“The mission of the Church is to seek and to save them that are lost.”
“Holiness consists of three things – separation from sin, dedication to God, transformation into Christ’s image. It is in vain that we talk about the last, unless we know something experimentally about the first.”
“Our religion is not Christianity so much as Christ. Our gospel is the knowledge, not of a system, but the saving knowledge of a personal Savior.”
“Remember that holiness is not the way to Christ, but Christ is the way to holiness.”
“Nothing is eternal but that which is done for God and others. That which is done for self dies.”
“All Christian power springs from communion with God and from the indwelling of divine grace.”
“It is not affliction itself, but affliction rightly borne, that does us good.”
“Where science speaks of improvement, Christianity speaks of renovation; where science speaks of development, Christianity speaks of sanctification; where science speaks of progress, Christianity speaks of perfection.”
“God strikes not as an enemy, to destroy; but as a father, to correct.”
“A little thing will keep them from the house of God who have no desire to go to it.”
1 All of these quotes are from the websites below: