Allen Gardiner - The Missionary of Failure
Allen Gardiner - The Missionary of Failure Allen Gardiner's early life and calling were shaped by a blend of adventure, personal tragedy, and profound spiritual experiences that ultimately led him to dedicate his life to missionary work, particularly among aboriginal tribes. Early Life and Aspirations: Born in England in 1794 into a Berkshire squire's family, Gardiner exhibited a strong adventurous spirit from a young age. He "devoured adventure stories" and idolized "great men of the sea," determining to become a sailor himself. Even as a small boy, he intentionally sought out hardship, sleeping on the floor to accustom himself to the "privation and to forego normal comfort" that he knew sailors endured. He entered naval college at age 14 and went to sea at 16, traveling extensively and experiencing "all parts of the world" and the "rowdy life of a sailor". Formative Experiences and Conversion: A significant turning point occ...