THE TWO SHOEMAKERS by Hannah More

Quick take:

The lives of two people who became shoemakers are contrasted. Jack Brown came from a hardworking but nonreligious family and his mother spoiled him. He was given to dishonesty and debauchery. James Stock was an religious, honest, and hardworking man. They both became apprentices at the same shoemaker. The story plays out the many decisions of life and their consequences.
My impression:
An interesting and sometimes colorful story, that presents moral ideas for living everyday life.
Quote:
“If a blind fiddler, a ballad-singer, a mountebank, a dancing bear, or a drum, were heard at a distance, out ran Jack; nothing could stop him, and not a stitch more could he be prevailed on to do that day.”
Excerpt:“Mr. Stock soon went back to the prison. But he did not go alone. He took with him Mr. Thomas, the worthy minister who had been the guide and instructor of his youth, who was so kind as to go at his request, and visit this forlorn prisoner.
When they got to Brown’s door, they found him sitting up in his bed with the Bible in his hand. This was a joyful sight to Mr. Stock, who secretly thanked God for it. Brown was reading aloud; they listened; it was the fifteenth of St. Luke. The circumstances of this beautiful parable of the prodigal son were so much like his own, that the story pierced him to the soul; and he stopped every minute to compare his own case with that of the prodigal. He had just got to the eighteenth verse, “I will arise, and go to my father”—at that moment he spied his two friends; joy darted into his eyes.
“O, dear Jem,” said he, “it is not too late; I will arise, and go to my Father, my heavenly Father; and you, sir, will show me the way, wont you?” said he to Mr. Thomas, whom he recollected.
‘I am very glad to see you in so hopeful a disposition,’ said the good minister.
‘O, sir,’ said Brown, ‘what a place is this to receive you in! O, see to what I have brought myself!’
‘Your condition, as to this world, is indeed very low,’ replied the good pastor. ‘But what are mines, dungeons, or galleys, to that eternal, hopeless prison, to which your unrepented sins must soon have consigned you? Even in this gloomy prison, on this bed of straw, worn down by pain, poverty, and want, forsaken by your worldly friends, an object of scorn to those with whom you used to carouse and riot; yet here, I say, brought thus low, if you have at last found out your own vileness, and your utterly undone state by sin, you may still be more an object of favor in the sight of God, than when you thought yourself prosperous and happy—when the world smiled upon you, and you passed your days and nights in envied gayety and unchristian riot.
‘If you will but improve the present awful visitation; if you do but heartily renounce and abhor your present evil courses; if you even now turn to the Lord your Savior with lively faith, deep repentance, and unfeigned obedience, I shall still have more hope of you than of many who are going on quite happy, because quite insensible. The heavy laden sinner, who has discovered the iniquity of his own heart, and his utter inability to help himself, may be restored to God’s favor, and become happy, though in a dungeon. And be assured, that he who, from deep and humble contrition, dares not so much as to lift up his eyes to heaven, when with a hearty faith he sighs out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner,” shall in no wise be cast out. These are the words of Him who cannot lie.’ ”
     
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IN PRISON AND OUT by Hesba Stretton

Full title: Facts on a Thread of Fiction: In Prison and Out.
Quick Take:
Mrs. Fell, a poor, but moral, woman lived with her two children, David (14) and Bess (13). David went begging for money to buy basic necessities and is arrested. He went to jail for three months and is labeled a jail-bird. He is led into this new identity from society’s treatment and subsequently goes deeper into crime.
My impression:
This story illustrates the need of reform of the criminal justice system of nineteenth century England. Hesba Stretton seems to contrast the necessity of begging for food with unfair criminal penalties, and how sending children to jail might hinder their whole life.
Further reading:
At the end of the story there is reference to the book: The Gaol Cradle: Who Rocks it? by Benjamin Waugh.

LITTLE HENRY AND HIS BEARER by Mary Martha Sherwood

Quick take:
Little Henry’s parents died shortly after his birth and he was raised in India by his bearer, a servant who takes care of children. He was taught the Hindu religion until a missionary lady from England taught him about Jesus Christ, and he embraced salvation wholeheartedly. When she left she told him, by God’s grace, to try to bring his bearer to Christ. He pursued this fruitlessly for a long while. It wasn’t until Henry was on his deathbed, at 8 years old, did his bearer come to Christ.
My impression:
An interesting story of a nineteenth century missionary to India.
Quote:“Her next lesson, therefore, was to explain to him what the Lord Jesus Christ had done for him; how ‘God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory;’ 1 Timothy 3:16; and how ‘we have redemption through his blood,’ he ‘having made peace for us through the blood of his cross.’ Colossians 1:14,20.”
Quote:“She had also provided herself with one of the Hindoo gods made of baked earth; and she bade him look at it, and examine it well: she then threw it down upon the floor, and it was broken into an hundred pieces. Then she said, ‘Henry, what can this god do for you? it cannot help itself. Call to it, and ask it to get up. You see it cannot move.’—And that day the little boy was convinced by her arguments.”
Background:
This true narrative was very popular in the early 19th century and reportedly sold numerous editions and was translated into many languages.

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THE SHEPHERD OF SALISBURY PLAIN by Hannah More

Quick take:
David Sanders was a shepherd who tended his flocks on Salisbury Plain, England, during the eighteenth century. Mr. Johnson, who is Hannah More’s friend Dr. Stonhouse, found him to be an intriguing man of faith because of his humble and peaceful attitude about life, while having modest material wealth. He delighted in his occupational counterparts like Moses, David and other shepherds. This true narrative was very popular when written and is filled with the thoughtful insights of a simple man with an old family Bible.
My impression:
A touching story of a very poor shepherd with a very humble sense of graciousness. The excerpt below about accepting the day's weather is great to honor God's sovereignty.
Quote:
“It was to shepherds keeping their flocks by night, that the angels appeared in Bethlehem, to tell the best news, the gladdest tidings, that ever were revealed to poor sinful men; often and often has the thought warmed my poor heart in the coldest night, and filled me with more joy and thankfulness than the best supper could have done.”
Excerpt:
“Mr. Johnson, who was on a journey, and somewhat fearful from the appearance of the sky, that rain was at no great distance, accosted the shepherd with asking what sort of weather he thought it would be on the morrow.
‘It will be such weather as pleases me,’ answered the shepherd.
Though the answer was delivered in the mildest and civilest tone that could be imagined, the gentleman thought the words themselves rather rude and surly, and asked him how that could be.
‘Because,’ replied the shepherd, ‘it will be such weather as shall please God, and whatever pleases him, always pleases me.’
Mr. Johnson, who delighted in good men and good things, was very well satisfied with his reply. For he justly thought, that though a hypocrite may easily contrive to appear better than he really is to a stranger, and that no one should be too soon trusted, merely for having a few good words in his mouth; yet, as he knew that ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,’ he always accustomed himself to judge favorably of those who had a serious deportment and solid manner of speaking. ‘It looks as if it proceeded from a good habit,’ said he, ‘and though I may now and then be deceived by it, yet it has not often happened to me to be so. Whereas, if a man accosts me with an idle, dissolute, vulgar, indecent, or profane expression, I have never been deceived in him, but have generally on inquiry, found his character to be as bad as his language gave me room to expect.’
He entered into conversation with the shepherd in the following manner: ‘Yours is a troublesome life, honest friend,’ said he.
‘To be sure, sir,’ replied the shepherd, ‘ ’tis not a very lazy life; but ’tis not near so toilsome as that which my GREAT MASTER led for my sake; and he had every state and condition of life at his choice, and chose a hard one, while I only submit to the lot that is appointed me.’ ”
Background:
This narrative was published as part of the "Cheap Repository Tracts," in 1795.
   
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THE MOUNTAIN MILLER by William A. Hallock

Quick take:
Joseph Beals (1752-1813), also called The Mountain Miller, lived a life of trusting in his own righteousness for the salvation of his soul. He was strict with his family and townspeople thought he was blameless. After loosing his house to a fire, he consecrated his life to Christ. His wife was very upset with the whole affair and steadfastly refused to go with him, and even dreamed of his death. She finally repented and joined him in the faith. Joseph Beals was known as a model of Christian piety.
My impression:
A testimony of the saving grace of God. A portrait of a very spiritually minded man.
Quote:
"From the time of his conversion, the language of his heart in every trying dispensation seemed to be, 'It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.'"
Excerpt:
“Her husband enjoyed a cheering hope of his acceptance in Jesus Christ—a hope which the reader will not be disposed to think unfounded, when he learns the fruits by which it was accompanied, in that best of all evidences, a holy life. Such fruits of the Spirit, I cannot but remark for the benefit especially of young readers, are evidences of saving conversion, on which we should chiefly rely, whether the particular hour of our deliverance from condemnation is known to us, as was joyfully the case with the subject of this narrative, or not. The grand question to be solved is, whether we have surrendered our hearts to Christ—whether, whereas once we were blind, now we see—whether we have now the graces of the Spirit in exercise, proving our union with Christ. The manner of the Spirit’s operations in different minds is very diverse: the radical change from sin to holiness is essentially the same in all who are truly converted to God.
From the time of the conversion of the subject of this narrative, his heart became engaged in all those religious duties which he had hitherto performed with a cold formality. His hopes of salvation, which before were grounded on his morality, now rested on the atoning sacrifice of Christ, through repentance and faith wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. His own sinfulness, apart from the merits of Christ, appeared greater than ever before; but he saw there was perfect efficacy in the blood of the Lamb of God to take away all his sins. He put his trust in that Savior, and found him ‘worthy of all acceptation.’ His irritable temper became mild, and his heart expanded in love to God and man. He became an example of meekness and devotion to the cause of his Redeemer; and early in 1791 publicly consecrated himself to him, by uniting with a small evangelical church which had been formed in the district where he resided.”
Background:
This was published as American Tract Society tract #254, in the nineteenth century.

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THE VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Quick take:
Merchant men traveled from Paris to the mountains to check on manufacturer's established there. They are accepted into a home of a poor woman who was a weaver. The villagers are industrious and charitable people. They are zealous and meet secretly for church meetings. The men realize there is a shortage of Bibles in the village, and later bring some. Then they send more Bibles. Then more Bibles. When the villagers were about to be persecuted by the Catholic mayor of the town, the mayor was so moved by their meeting that he wanted a Bible for himself.
My impression:
A revealing narrative of rural French life in the 1800’s.
Quote:“These doctrines, sir,” exclaimed the female, “support the hearts of many of us, who have scarcely travelled beyond our own neighborhood; and it is so rare and so delightful to hear them from others, that, if it will not be an abuse of your Christian politeness, I would request you to alight, and visit my humble apartment."
Excerpt:
"After addressing the throne of grace, M. —— read a part of the fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. He turned their attention more especially to that interesting passage in the twelfth verse: 'There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' He endeavored to point out to them the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the awful consequences of violating the law of God, the inefficacy of all those expedients which the ignorance, the pride, or the self-righteousness of men had substituted for the 'only name' Christ Jesus. He spoke of the necessity of this great sacrifice on the cross, of the love of God in sending his Son into the world, of the fullness and all-sufficiency of the mighty redemption, and of the duty of sinners to accept it and live. 'It is through Christ alone,' said he, 'that you can have hope of pardon and salvation. You must take up the cross and follow Christ. You must renounce your sins and flee to Christ. You must renounce your own righteousness, and trust alone in Christ. You must renounce all other lords, and submit to Christ. If you had offended an earthly monarch, to whom you could have access only through his son, would you address yourselves to his servants, rather than his son? And will you then, in the great concerns of your souls, go to any other than the Son? Will you have recourse to the Virgin Mary, or some favored servant, rather than address yourselves to Him who is "the way, and the truth, and the life?" and when God himself assures us, that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved?" ' "
Background:
This was published as American Tract Society tract #193, in the nineteenth century. Dictated by S. V. S. Wilder, Esq. President of the ATS; 1st 8 pages written by Rev. Mark Wilks, of Paris; the remainder by Rev William A. Hallock secretary for the ATS; Revised by Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D.

MARY OF TOULOUSE

Quick take:
The beliefs of Romanism are contrasted with that of Protestantism. A visitor to the south of France meets Mary, a 50 year old woman, who was illiterate and practiced her religion of Romanism. He took it upon himself to teach her to read the Bible and pray daily. Mary began to see that her religion did not match that of the Bible, and changed her views.
My impression:
The call to examine one’s own life for the genuineness of Christian life and to detect meaningless ritual that does not serve the living God.
Quote:
"Pray fervently that, through the grace of the Lord Jesus and the aid of the Holy Spirit, you may be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; otherwise you will perish in your sins, and be cast into the lake of unquenchable fire, where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth for ever and ever."
Excerpt:
"Mary’s life and death are full of salutary instruction. The reader of this narrative will remember how very different her character and dispositions were before and after her conversion to God. Before she had received a new heart and a right spirit, she was debased by foolish superstitions and fatal ignorance of the only way of salvation, pursuing a course of vanity and sin; yet all the while under the strange delusion that she was a Christian, because born and baptized in the church of her fathers. But no sooner were her eyes opened to see her guilt and danger—no sooner was she brought by divine mercy to weep over her sins, and turn from the error of her ways to that Redeemer who is not less willing than mighty to save all who come unto God by him, than we behold her reverencing that sacred day which she had so long slighted and abused—we see her diligently employed from day to day, and sometimes for hours together, in the study of God’s holy will and commandments, and testifying her love to her Savior by various acts of kindness and affection, more particularly by zeal and solicitude for the eternal welfare of her fellow-creatures; evidencing, in short, throughout her latter days, both in life and conversation, that she was a new creature, 'delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son.' Who that remembers her earnest desire to give up herself to God and be saved, can doubt her having chosen, with her namesake of old, that good part which shall never be taken from her? Luke 10:42. Or who can hesitate to believe that she is now numbered with those myriads of angelic spirits who are incessantly chanting the new song of the redeemed: 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.' 'Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb,' Revelation 5:12; 7:10."
Background:
This was published as American Tract Society Tract #522, in the nineteenth century.

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