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Frank W. Boreham
Frank W. Boreham (March 3, 1871 – May 18, 1959) was a British-born preacher, pastor, and author whose ministry within the Baptist tradition spanned over six decades, captivating audiences with narrative sermons and prolific writings. Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, to Francis Boreham, a solicitor’s clerk, and Fanny Usher, he was the eldest of ten children in a devout Anglican family that later attended a non-conformist church. Converted on New Year’s Day 1888 at 16 after hearing Dwight L. Moody in London, he trained at Spurgeon’s Pastors’ College—likely the last student personally admitted by Charles Spurgeon—graduating in 1894 before sailing to New Zealand in 1895. Boreham’s preaching career began at Mosgiel Baptist Church near Dunedin, New Zealand (1895–1906), followed by pastorates at Hobart Baptist Tabernacle in Tasmania (1906–1916) and Armadale and Kew Baptist Churches in Melbourne, Australia (1916–1928). His sermons, blending storytelling with biblical truth, drew crowds and filled newspapers, as he wrote over 3,000 editorials for the Hobart Mercury and Melbourne Age. Author of 55 books, including A Bunch of Everlastings and The Luggage of Life, he preached on “immensities, infinities, and eternities,” influencing figures like Billy Graham, who visited him in 1959. Married to Stella Cottee in 1896, whom he met as a student preacher, they had five children—Stella, Esther, Frank, Rachel, and John. Boreham died at age 88 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Frank W. Boreham emphasizes the importance of purity reigning in the inward parts, highlighting the need for the heart, will, imagination, and thoughts to submit to the rule of purity. He acknowledges the challenge of controlling the will, imagination, and thoughts, but stresses the necessity of purity reigning with unquestioned authority, even if it takes time to achieve. Boreham contrasts the state where the heart condones waywardness with the state where the heart forbids and deplores it, emphasizing the significant difference in attitude towards purity.
The Throne of Purity
"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts..." (Ps. 51:6). The heart is the throne; and on the throne Purity must reign supreme. The will--so difficult to control--must yield unreserved allegiance to Purity's beneficent rule. The imagination--so hard to confine--must no longer deck the mind with its seductive pictures; it must bow to the lofty beauty of unsullied purity. The thoughts must be brought into absolute dominion; every purpose and intent must recognize the regal sway. Purity must reign in unquestioned authority. All this may take time. The revolutionary and reactionary elements among my members cannot be subdued and subjugated in a single day The flesh is mighty and does not readily capitulate; the fancy, accustomed to unfettered freedom, does not easily abandon its hectic flights. But there is all the difference in the world between that state of things in which the heart condones and secretly enjoys this waywardness and that state of things in which the heart forbids and deplores it.
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Frank W. Boreham (March 3, 1871 – May 18, 1959) was a British-born preacher, pastor, and author whose ministry within the Baptist tradition spanned over six decades, captivating audiences with narrative sermons and prolific writings. Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, to Francis Boreham, a solicitor’s clerk, and Fanny Usher, he was the eldest of ten children in a devout Anglican family that later attended a non-conformist church. Converted on New Year’s Day 1888 at 16 after hearing Dwight L. Moody in London, he trained at Spurgeon’s Pastors’ College—likely the last student personally admitted by Charles Spurgeon—graduating in 1894 before sailing to New Zealand in 1895. Boreham’s preaching career began at Mosgiel Baptist Church near Dunedin, New Zealand (1895–1906), followed by pastorates at Hobart Baptist Tabernacle in Tasmania (1906–1916) and Armadale and Kew Baptist Churches in Melbourne, Australia (1916–1928). His sermons, blending storytelling with biblical truth, drew crowds and filled newspapers, as he wrote over 3,000 editorials for the Hobart Mercury and Melbourne Age. Author of 55 books, including A Bunch of Everlastings and The Luggage of Life, he preached on “immensities, infinities, and eternities,” influencing figures like Billy Graham, who visited him in 1959. Married to Stella Cottee in 1896, whom he met as a student preacher, they had five children—Stella, Esther, Frank, Rachel, and John. Boreham died at age 88 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.