With so many men’s books on the market, of which I have also contributed (As Christ: A Man and Marriage), this one seems to stand out to me as one of the most powerful. If there was one men’s book I wish I had been given many years ago, it would be this very book, “Thought for Young Men“, originally preached and written in the later 1800’s by J.C. Ryle (Printed by Banner of Truth).

I cannot highly recommend a better help for young, and older, men than this book. This book is only 75 pages, yet every page and every line is packed with truth that leads men onward to Christ. It would do the reader good to re-read this many times over in their life. I am giving one to my son for Christmas (shhhh) and a few to some young men I know.

General Reasons for Exhorting Young Men

“For one thing, there is the painful fact that there are few young men anywhere who seem to have any religion.

“I speak without respect of persons; I say it of all. High or low, rich or poor, gentle or simple, learned or unlearned, in town or in country, – it makes no matter. I tremble to observe how few young men are led by the Spirit, – how few are in that narrow way which leads to life, – how few are taking up the cross, and following Christ. I say it with all sorrow, but I believe, as in God’s sight, I am saying nothing more than the truth.

“Young men, you form a large and most important class in the population of this country; but where, and in what condition, are your immortal souls? Alas, whatever way we turn for an answer, the report will be one and the same!

“Let us ask any faithful minister of the gospel and mark what he will tell us. How many unmarried young people can he reckon up who come to the Lord’s Supper? Who are the most backward about means of grace, – the most irregular about Sunday services, – the most difficult to draw to weekly lectures and prayer-meetings, – the most inattentive under preaching at all times? Which part of his congregation fills him with most anxiety? Who are the Reubens for whom he has the deepest ‘searching of heart’? Who in his flock are the hardest to manage, – who require the most frequent warnings and rebukes, – who occasion him the greatest uneasiness and sorrow, – who keep him most constant in fear for their souls, and seem most hopeless? Depend on it, his answer will always be, ‘The Young Men.’”

–  J.C. Ryle