Charles Griffin was one of the most important BTC regulars.
Without Charles Rae Griffin, there would be no My Utmost for His Highest.
His importance as Biddy’s publishing advisor cannot be overstated.
Charles and his wife Norah began their friendship with Oswald and Biddy at the Bible Training College (BTC).
Who was Charles Griffin?
The fifth generation member of the Charles Griffin & Company, Ltd. publishing house, Charles grew up in London.
A few years older than Biddy, he studied mechanical engineering at Towbridge University. Following graduation, he apprenticed with several London publishing houses.
Once he’d learned the trade, he joined the family business. He became the director following his father’s death in 1907.
Married to Norah Margaret Lee, Charles was considered a leading London Baptist.
The vice-chairman of the Council of the London Baptist Missionary Union, Charles earnestly worked in Sunday School his entire life.
It’s not clear when he and Norah first heard of Oswald Chambers–whose father and brother were Baptist ministers–but their life changed when they took a class at the BTC.
The Publishing World
Friends noted Charles
“was a man of vision, character and determination. His energy found expression in broad administrative issues without neglect of detail.
“He had a keen business acumen.”
Charles quickly saw the potential in Oswald’s teaching and requested a copy to share with friends.
Oswald delegated the task to Biddy, who provided typed copies of a series of talks to Charles.
Wheaton College Archives
In 1915, “C. Rae Griffin” made arrangements to print the lectures (though not through his company which specialized in technical journals).
Friends snatched up the information. Charles charged a fee to cover costs and the booklets soon became known as the Discipline series.
Any profits went toward BTC student scholarships.
Is it no wonder Oswald nicknamed him “Radiant?”
Charles and Norah eventually named their third child John Oswald Griffin.
World War I
The day World War I broke out, Charles wrote to Oswald, vacationing in Askrigg, to ask about God’s view of war.
“You ask–is this dreadful war of God or the devil? I should unhesitatingly say neither of God nor the devil, but by the ‘patent amalgam’ of both made by men and nations. . . .
“Don’t misunderstand me, I am not inhuman, the ghastly crimes of war are unspeakable, but they certainly are no worse than sin, that is the crime of crimes.”
Charles took care of British publishing arrangements when Oswald sailed to Egypt and work at Zeitoun YMCA camp in October 1915.
He and Norah purchased the tickets for Biddy, Kathleen and Mary Riley to join Oswald in December 1915.
They also raised funds to build the family’s bungalow at Zeitoun.
As Oswald wrote in his diary on October 12, 1916:
“This is the anniversary of my leaving England for Egypt, and what a record of the joyous sufficiency of God the year has been! Not the least wonderful part of it was the way in which God undertook for Biddy and Kathleen during the few months apart, the first time in our six years of married life. We will never forget the generous goodness of our friends Mr. and Mrs. Rae Griffin.”
During WWI, Charles Griffin & Sons provided journals and mechanical engineering books for both the British and American military.
He joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1917 and used his technical knowledge to good use in managing technical supplies.
At news of Charles’ enlistment, Oswald wrote to Norah:
“Be the plucky woman of God, won’t you? How I know you will. It is a great joy to pray for you.”
Charles Griffin survived the war with a minor injury: missing the tip off his left index finger.
Once returned to England, he resumed normal life and business at the publishing house.
After the War
As Charles Griffin wrote later about the ministry of “the Books:”
“In BTC days it was felt by many that something should be done to preserve at least some of his [Oswald’s] wonderful addresses and lectures so that these might be available to those not fortunate enough to attend the College or to hear him.
“A small start was made with certain of the “Disciple” series, which were widely take up, but the War intervened and for a time the issue of further books was in abeyance. Nevertheless, because these little books contained reality, which in War days was a need more realized than in normal times, the call for more was insistent.”
A group of friends gathered and opened a fund to enable the production of books as Biddy provided text.
They also arranged for publication in England of the pamphlets Biddy wrote in Egypt following Oswald’s death, as well as 1918’s Baffled to Fight Better.
Upon Biddy’s return to England in June 1919, Charles introduced her to Mr. Chamberlin, a publisher friend. They hoped to place all Oswald’s work with Chamberlain’s company. Biddy would compile and arrange the material but turn over publication to a professional.
Unfortunately, Chamberlain didn’t see any potential in the manuscripts and sent Biddy on her way.
“Undone,” by his lack of interest, Biddy prayed and made the enormous decision to become a self-publisher in 1920.
Oswald Chambers Publication Association
Charles Griffin advised Biddy throughout her publication journey.
He had good personal and professional relationships with paper merchants, printers, binders and having once apprenticed at Simpkin Marshall, Ltd., introduced her to the wholesaler who handled all the Oswald Chambers books.
Charles probably introduced her to bookseller John Parker when Biddy decided to retrench out of London.
He served as a founding member of the Oswald Chambers Publication Association (OCPA) for many years.
Norah Griffin died in 1933; Charles married Audrey Matthews in 1935. He died in 1962.
Charles Griffin was dedicated to his God and to making sure people learned more about God through Oswald Chambers’ work.
In 1932, as always, he gave the credit to Biddy:
“It is hardly possible to pay adequate tribute to the devotion of Mrs. Chambers in recording his spoken words, full shorthand notes having been taken of lectures, so that the project once started, continuous publication of new matter would be possible.
“Let God engineer,” was a favorite phrase on Oswald Chambers’ lips. Experience has shown that this was no “catch word,” but a profound understanding of God’s way of doing things.
“To the human mind, haphazard; to the understanding, God’s way.”
“So, it has been in the past . . . there is abounding joy in watching and seeing the “urge” come for a new volume–and the way He provides for it.”
Well done, Radiant Griffin!
Tweetables
Besides Biddy, the person responsible for Oswald Chambers’ books. Click to Tweet
The unseen hand behind Biddy Chambers’ work on My Utmost for His Highest. Click to Tweet
The publisher who helped produce Oswald Chambers’ books. Click to Tweet
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