“Now, truly there is nothing suitable to the immortal spirit
of man but God; and, therefore, all its happiness or misery must be measured by
the access or recess, nearness or distance, of that infinite goodness.”—Hugh
Binning.
The Goodness of God
“Labor to attain to this estate of being spiritually convinced of the goodness of God, that we may by experience say, ‘It is good for me to draw near to God,’ . . . the more we are convinced of God’s goodness, the better we are; for God’s goodness, tasted and felt by the soul, does ennoble it, as a pearl set in a gold ring makes it the more rich and precious.”—Richard Sibbes (1577–1635) in “The Saints Happiness.”
Contentment
“I will always account myself happy in the favor
of God, although I should have no earthly thing to give me any satisfaction.”—Dr. Cotton Mather.
Resolutions: A Collection of Wisdom.
Resolutions: A Collection of Wisdom.
Spiritual Motivation
“Thus may the terror of the Lord make a Pharisee; but only
the sweet voice of mercy in the gospel, can make a Christian.”—William
Cowper.
Memoir of the Early Life of William CowperWhen God is Near
“When we see and feel that nothing but his favor can make us
happy; then we may be sure the Lord is near.”—John Newton, Twenty-One Letters to Elizabeth Catlett.
Full Assurance
A debtor to Mercy alone,
Of covenant Mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with thy Righteousness on,
My Person and Off ’ring to bring:
The Terrors of Law, and of God,
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour’s Obedience and Blood
Hide all my Transgressions from view.
—Augustus Toplady
Blessedness
“I saw my blessedness did not chiefly lie in receiving good
and comfort from God, and in God, but in holding forth the glory of God and his
virtues.”—Thomas Shepard.
Attitude for Prayer
“Let us consider who this glorious Being is, that invites us to this fellowship with himself; how awful in majesty! how terrible in righteousness! how irresistible in power! how unsearchable in wisdom! how all-sufficient in blessedness! how condescending in mercy! Let us again consider, who are we that are invited to this correspondence: How vile in our original! how guilty in our hearts and lives! how needy of every blessing! how utterly incapable to help ourselves! and how miserable for ever, if we are without God! And if we have sincerely obeyed the call of his gospel, and have attained to some comfortable hope of his love; let us consider, how infinite are our obligations to him, and how necessary, and how delightful it is to enjoy his visits here, with whom it will be our happiness to dwell for ever. When we feel our spirits deeply impressed with such thoughts as these are, we are in the best frame, and most likely way to pray with grace in our hearts.”
—Isaac Watts, A Guide to Prayer.
—Isaac Watts, A Guide to Prayer.
The Hardest Time of All
But at last we learn the lesson
That God knows what is best;
For with wisdom comes patience,
And of patience comes rest;
Yea—a golden thread is shining
Through the tangled woof of fate;
And our hearts shall thank Him meekly,
That He taught us how to wait.
—from The Hardest Time of All by Sarah Doudney
That God knows what is best;
For with wisdom comes patience,
And of patience comes rest;
Yea—a golden thread is shining
Through the tangled woof of fate;
And our hearts shall thank Him meekly,
That He taught us how to wait.
—from The Hardest Time of All by Sarah Doudney
Precious Chain of Books #3 - 127 years ago
Influence of Good Books by Rev. W. M. PUNSHON, LL.D.
I thought how an old Puritan doctor wrote a book years and years ago, called "The Bruised Reed," which fell just at the right time into the hands of Richard Baxter, and brought him under the influence of the enlightening power of the Spirit of God; and then Baxter's ministry was like the sun in his strength, and he wrote a book called "The Call to the Unconverted," which continued to speak long after Baxter himself had ceased to speak with human tongue. That "Call to the Unconverted" went preaching on until it got into the hands of Philip Doddridge (prepared by his pious mother's teaching from the Dutch tiles of a mantel-piece with very quaint Scriptural stories); and it was the means of enlightening him to a broader knowledge, and a richer faith, and a deeper experience of the things of God. And then I thought how Doddridge wrote a book called "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," which, just at a critical period in his history, fell into the hands of William Wilberforce, who wrote a book called "Practical Christianity," which, far down in the sunny Isle of Wight, fired the heart of a clergyman, who has attained, perhaps, in connection with this society, the broadest and widest reputation of all—for who has not heard of Legh Richmond? He wrote the simple annals of a Methodist girl, and published it under the title of "The Dairyman's Daughter''; and I should like to know into how many languages that has been translated, and been made of God a power for the spread of truth. The same book on "Practical Christianity'' went right down into a secluded parish in Scotland, and it found there a young clergyman who was preaching a gospel that he did not know, and it instructed him in the way of God more perfectly, and he came forth a champion valiant for the truth upon the earth, until all Scotland rang with the eloquence of Thomas Chalmers. Look at it!—not a flaw in the chain: Richard Sibbes, Richard Baxter, Philip Doddridge, William Wilberforce, Legh Richmond, Thomas Chalmers—is not that apostolical succession?
Article from: The Evangelization of the World: A Missionary Band: a Record of Consecration, and an Appeal, by B. Broomhall, (1889)
I thought how an old Puritan doctor wrote a book years and years ago, called "The Bruised Reed," which fell just at the right time into the hands of Richard Baxter, and brought him under the influence of the enlightening power of the Spirit of God; and then Baxter's ministry was like the sun in his strength, and he wrote a book called "The Call to the Unconverted," which continued to speak long after Baxter himself had ceased to speak with human tongue. That "Call to the Unconverted" went preaching on until it got into the hands of Philip Doddridge (prepared by his pious mother's teaching from the Dutch tiles of a mantel-piece with very quaint Scriptural stories); and it was the means of enlightening him to a broader knowledge, and a richer faith, and a deeper experience of the things of God. And then I thought how Doddridge wrote a book called "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," which, just at a critical period in his history, fell into the hands of William Wilberforce, who wrote a book called "Practical Christianity," which, far down in the sunny Isle of Wight, fired the heart of a clergyman, who has attained, perhaps, in connection with this society, the broadest and widest reputation of all—for who has not heard of Legh Richmond? He wrote the simple annals of a Methodist girl, and published it under the title of "The Dairyman's Daughter''; and I should like to know into how many languages that has been translated, and been made of God a power for the spread of truth. The same book on "Practical Christianity'' went right down into a secluded parish in Scotland, and it found there a young clergyman who was preaching a gospel that he did not know, and it instructed him in the way of God more perfectly, and he came forth a champion valiant for the truth upon the earth, until all Scotland rang with the eloquence of Thomas Chalmers. Look at it!—not a flaw in the chain: Richard Sibbes, Richard Baxter, Philip Doddridge, William Wilberforce, Legh Richmond, Thomas Chalmers—is not that apostolical succession?
Article from: The Evangelization of the World: A Missionary Band: a Record of Consecration, and an Appeal, by B. Broomhall, (1889)
Precious Chain of Books #2 - 100 years ago
One hundred years ago as found in the Christian Worker's Magazine, June, 1916:
Notice in this version:
The Precious Chain of Books
That God has greatly used Christian literature is a fact of history. There are six books known as the “Precious Chain of Books," by which thousands and tens of thousands of souls have been converted and the work of these books is going on in the world at this time.
Years ago an old Puritan, Doctor Richard Sibbes, wrote a book called the “Bruised Reed,” which fell just at the right time into the hands of Richard Baxter, and brought him under the enlightening power of the Spirit of God; Baxter's ministry became like the sun in his strength, and he wrote a book called “The Call to the Unconverted,” which continued to speak long after Baxter himself had ceased to speak with human tongue. That “Call to the Unconverted" went on preaching until it fell into the hands of Philip Doddridge, and was the means of bringing him to a deeper experience of the things of God.
Afterward, Doddridge wrote a book called “The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul” which, just at a critical period in his history, fell into the hands of William Wilberforce, who wrote a book called “Practical Christianity," which exerted a powerful influence on the higher classes of Englishmen.
Far down in the Isle of Wight, “Practical Christianity" fired the heart of a clergyman, who has attained, in connection with the tract societies, perhaps the widest reputation of all—for who has not heard of Legh Richmond? He wrote the simple annals of a Methodist girl, under the name of "The Dairyman's Daughter,” and it would‘ be interesting to know into how many languages this tract has been translated, and how it has been made of God a power for the spread of the truth.
The same book on “Practical Christianity" went down into a secluded parish in Scotland, found there a young minister who was preaching a gospel he did not understand, and instructed him in the way of God more perfectly, so that he came forth a champion valiant for the truth until all Scotland rang with the eloquence of Thomas Chalmers. Look at it! Not a flaw in the chain—Richard Sibbes, Richard Baxter, Philip Doddridge, William Wilberforce, Legh Richmond and Thomas Chalmers.
—Rev. A. W. Reinhard, in 'The American Messenger.'"
- Richard Sibbes' book is identified as his famous "Bruised Reed."
- Thomas Chalmers read Wilberforce's "Practical Christianity" instead of the "Dairyman's Daughter."
Precious Chain of Books #1
Ernest C. Reisinger (1919-2004) was a pastor and writer who wrote Every Christian A Publisher (http://www.chapellibrary.org/files/1813/7643/3199/ecap.pdf) where he states "The ministry of books can be used to evangelize, teach, train and expel ignorance as it has done in the past."
Also "A book by Richard Sibbes, one of the choicest of the Puritan writers, was read by Richard Baxter, who was greatly blessed by it. Baxter then wrote his Call To The Unconverted which deeply influenced Philip Doddridge, who in turn wrote The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This brought the young William Wilberforce, subsequent English statesman and foe of slavery, to serious thoughts of eternity.
Wilberforce wrote his Practical Book of Christianity which fired the soul of Leigh Richmond. Richmond, in turn, wrote The Dairyman's Daughter, a book that brought thousands to the Lord, helping Thomas Chalmers the great preacher, among others."
This same, or almost the same, mysterious passage shows up every once in a while in Christian literature. I hope to track down the source in future blog articles.
Also "A book by Richard Sibbes, one of the choicest of the Puritan writers, was read by Richard Baxter, who was greatly blessed by it. Baxter then wrote his Call To The Unconverted which deeply influenced Philip Doddridge, who in turn wrote The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This brought the young William Wilberforce, subsequent English statesman and foe of slavery, to serious thoughts of eternity.
Wilberforce wrote his Practical Book of Christianity which fired the soul of Leigh Richmond. Richmond, in turn, wrote The Dairyman's Daughter, a book that brought thousands to the Lord, helping Thomas Chalmers the great preacher, among others."
This same, or almost the same, mysterious passage shows up every once in a while in Christian literature. I hope to track down the source in future blog articles.
Circulate Religious Books
In 1823 it was said: “If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, then error will be; if God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendency; if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; if the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of this land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.”
—Daniel Webster, US Senator and Secretary of State.
JESSICA'S MOTHER by Hesba Stretton
The sequel to Jessica's First Prayer. Daniel, Jessica and the minister were at the church as a tragedy unfolded. Afterwards, Jessica’s mother is discovered on Daniel’s doorstep and demands Jessica. Daniel grows spiritually closer to God as he seeks to know how Jesus might respond.
My impression:
The story challenges one to evaluate how to treat a person in need when confronted in your own home.
Excerpt:
"'Couldn’t we pray to God,' suggested Jessica, again, 'now, before we go on any farther?'
'Maybe it would be the best thing to do,' agreed Daniel, rising from his chair and kneeling down with Jessica beside him. At first he attempted to pray like some of the church-members at the weekly prayer meeting, in set and formal phrases; but he felt that if he wished to obtain any real blessing he must ask for it in simple and childlike words, as if speaking face to face with his Heavenly Father; and this was the prayer he made, after freeing himself from the ceremonial etiquette of the prayer meetings:
'Lord, thou knowest that Jessica’s mother is come back, and what a drunken and disorderly woman she is, and we don’t know what to do with her, and the minister cannot give us his advice. Sometimes I’m afraid I love my money too much yet, but, Lord, if it’s that, or anything else that’s hard in my heart, so as to hinder me from doing what the Savior, Jesus Christ, would do if he was in my place, I pray thee to take it away, and make me see clearly what my Christian duty is. Dear Lord, I beseech thee keep both me and Jessica from evil.'"
JESSICA'S MOTHER by Hesba Stretton - Paperback - $5.95
JESSICA'S FIRST PRAYER by Hesba Stretton
Jessica, an inquisitive barefoot girl, took an interest in the coffee stall run by Daniel. Following Daniel into a strange building she began an adventure that will change her life. One of Hesba Stretton’s most popular tales, this heartwarming story was first published in 1867.
My impression:
A very touching story suitable for young children but interesting for any age. The story brings up moral issues such as showing favoritism, love of money, and turning from sin to trust Jesus for forgiveness.
Excerpt:
“Little girl,” said the elder child, in a composed and demure voice, “we don’t mean to be unkind to you; but what do you come here for, and why do you hide yourself behind the door?”
“I like to hear the music,” answered Jessica, “and I want to find out what pray is, and the minister, and God. I know it’s only for ladies and gentlemen, and fine children like you; but I’d like to go inside just for once, and see what you do.”
“You shall come with us into our pew,” cried Winny, in an eager and impulsive tone; but Jane laid her hand upon her out¬stretched arm, with a glance at Jessica’s ragged clothes and matted hair. It was a question difficult enough to perplex them. The little outcast was plainly too dirty and neglected for them to invite her to sit side by side with them in their crimson-lined pew, and no poor people attended the chapel with whom she could have a seat. But Winny, with flushed cheeks and indignant eyes, looked reproachfully at her elder sister.
JESSICA'S FIRST PRAYER by Hesba Stretton - Paperback - $6.95.
A MAN OF HIS WORD by Hesba Stretton
Christmas Williams was well respected in his town. He cared nothing for the new prayer meetings and the talk of God and Savior. When Christmas’ daughter, Easter, took up belief of Jesus as her Savior he threw her out of the house. She became married and had a son, but he kept his word and did not speak to them. The story progresses and “keeping his word” becomes hypocritical. In the end, much is learned about God.
My impression:
As usual Stretton gives much to think about. This is one of her shorter stories, but interesting. Issues involved are pride, reputation, overcoming stubbornness, and being true to your belief system.
Excerpt:
“‘A man can't be true,’ says Christmas, ‘until he is true towards God. I prided myself upon being a man of my word, and meaning all I said, though I spoke a lie every time I said, “I believe.” I didn't believe in God, nor in Jesus Christ our Lord, nor in having any sins to be forgiven. A man must be made true in the darkest corners of his heart before he can be a man of his word.’”
A MAN OF HIS WORD by Hesba Stretton - $4.95.
UNDER THE OLD ROOF by Hesba Stretton
Quick take:
When Richard, Abigail’s husband, died she was left with her son, Gabriel. She had worked hard to repurchase the house of her father, the “old roof.” When Dick, her stepson, comes home he tried to take the house away from Abigail and she is heartbroken. Dick’s lack of work ethic brought him low and he was forced to face himself during a severe sickness. Crying out for help he turned toward God for forgiveness.
My impression:
This is a great story, illuminating many issues including inheritance laws, industrious work, forgiveness, and accepting God’s providence.
Quote:
“I’m a wicked sinner,” he said; “but Jesus Christ has pardoned me; and to show I'm true and I'm not makin’ any pretence, I've been to lawyer Whitmore and found out the way of makin’ over the houses to mother, as they rightfully belong to. And I beg her pardon here, before you all, and I ask her to let me try to be a good son to her, and a good brother to poor Gideon.”
UNDER THE OLD ROOF by Hesba Stretton - Paperback - $5.95..
When Richard, Abigail’s husband, died she was left with her son, Gabriel. She had worked hard to repurchase the house of her father, the “old roof.” When Dick, her stepson, comes home he tried to take the house away from Abigail and she is heartbroken. Dick’s lack of work ethic brought him low and he was forced to face himself during a severe sickness. Crying out for help he turned toward God for forgiveness.
My impression:
This is a great story, illuminating many issues including inheritance laws, industrious work, forgiveness, and accepting God’s providence.
Quote:
“I’m a wicked sinner,” he said; “but Jesus Christ has pardoned me; and to show I'm true and I'm not makin’ any pretence, I've been to lawyer Whitmore and found out the way of makin’ over the houses to mother, as they rightfully belong to. And I beg her pardon here, before you all, and I ask her to let me try to be a good son to her, and a good brother to poor Gideon.”
UNDER THE OLD ROOF by Hesba Stretton - Paperback - $5.95..
THE TWO SHOEMAKERS by Hannah More
Quick take: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.’ ”
THE TWO SHOEMAKERS by Hannah More - Paperback - $5.95.
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.
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.
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