Hi again! I wanted to get some feedback from those of you who have read "Stepping Heavenward." Since it is one of my favorite books, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
Do you have a favorite part or quote in the book?
What do you like or dislike about the book?
Do you disagree with anything in there?
Any other thoughts?
I'd love to hear what you have to say!
Showing posts with label Stepping Heavenward. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stepping Heavenward. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Stepping Heavenward--Elizabeth Prentiss Part 4
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Published: Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See previous posts entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
In an attempt to shorten these posts and get on to another book, I am just going to briefly summarize the rest of the story. (also, this way I can attempt not to spoil the entire book for you if you haven't read it! :-) ) Hopefully I've given you enough detail about the story to make you want to read it yourself! :-)
Katy takes the Sunday School class and also ends up going with her mother to visit the poor. Later Katy goes to visit her Aunt in New York. Here she meets her future husband. (a Dr. Ernest Elliot) Katy initially doesn't like him and tells her Aunt that she would never marry a doctor, and that he is too serious and old! :-) Her Aunt informs her that he is only 7 to 8 years older than herself and that "you were made for each other. He would tone you down and keep you straight, and you would stimulate him and keep him awake" (p 76). Katy responds by saying she doesn't want to be toned down or kept straight. :-)
After a time, and some misunderstandings, Katy does come to love the doctor and they marry. The rest of the story continues on with her married life. The Doctor and Katy go through some of the normal and not so normal trials of married life. Shortly after their marriage the Doctor's mother dies, his family has lost some money, and as a results his father and older sister come to live with Katy and the Doctor.
This provides many trials for Katy, however, by the end she realizes how God used the entire situation for good. The Doctor and Katy have several children, and go through the pain of watching their oldest child die at a young age. (he dies just before his 6th birthday)
The story records how Katy grows in her spiritual life, how people minister to her and help her along the way, and how she helps others as well. (we also learn more about Amelia and Charley--who don't have an ideal marriage. Amelia becomes ill and dies young, leaving her husband with 3 girls. Charley's Uncle ends up taking care of the girls)
By the end of her journal, Katy is very ill and doesn't know how much longer she will live. Here are a few of the last line she writes in her journal.
"But I wish, oh, how earnestly, that whether I go or stay, I could inspire some lives with the joy that is now mine. For many years I have been rich in faith; rich in an unfaltering confidence that I was beloved of my God and Savior. But something was missing; I was always groping for a mysterious grace the lack of which made me often sorrowful in the very midst of my most sacred joy, imperfect when I most longed for perfection. It was that personal love of Christ of which my precious mother so often spoke to me, which she often urged me to seek upon my knees. If I had known then, as I know now, what this priceless treasure could be to a sinful human soul, I would have sold all that I had to buy the field in which it lay hidden. But not till I was shut up to prayer and to the study of God's word by the loss of earthly joys, sickness destroying the flavor of them all, did I begin to penetrate the mystery that is learned under the cross. And wondrous as it is, how simple is this mystery! To love Christ, and to know that I love Him - this is all!" (p 271)
This story is an excellent one and ultimately shows how God worked in one woman's life to bring her from an unhappy girl to a woman who loved Christ. It's a great story and definitely one that I'd consider a "classic."
See the next post for some discussion questions! Have a great day!
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Published: Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See previous posts entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
In an attempt to shorten these posts and get on to another book, I am just going to briefly summarize the rest of the story. (also, this way I can attempt not to spoil the entire book for you if you haven't read it! :-) ) Hopefully I've given you enough detail about the story to make you want to read it yourself! :-)
Katy takes the Sunday School class and also ends up going with her mother to visit the poor. Later Katy goes to visit her Aunt in New York. Here she meets her future husband. (a Dr. Ernest Elliot) Katy initially doesn't like him and tells her Aunt that she would never marry a doctor, and that he is too serious and old! :-) Her Aunt informs her that he is only 7 to 8 years older than herself and that "you were made for each other. He would tone you down and keep you straight, and you would stimulate him and keep him awake" (p 76). Katy responds by saying she doesn't want to be toned down or kept straight. :-)
After a time, and some misunderstandings, Katy does come to love the doctor and they marry. The rest of the story continues on with her married life. The Doctor and Katy go through some of the normal and not so normal trials of married life. Shortly after their marriage the Doctor's mother dies, his family has lost some money, and as a results his father and older sister come to live with Katy and the Doctor.
This provides many trials for Katy, however, by the end she realizes how God used the entire situation for good. The Doctor and Katy have several children, and go through the pain of watching their oldest child die at a young age. (he dies just before his 6th birthday)
The story records how Katy grows in her spiritual life, how people minister to her and help her along the way, and how she helps others as well. (we also learn more about Amelia and Charley--who don't have an ideal marriage. Amelia becomes ill and dies young, leaving her husband with 3 girls. Charley's Uncle ends up taking care of the girls)
By the end of her journal, Katy is very ill and doesn't know how much longer she will live. Here are a few of the last line she writes in her journal.
"But I wish, oh, how earnestly, that whether I go or stay, I could inspire some lives with the joy that is now mine. For many years I have been rich in faith; rich in an unfaltering confidence that I was beloved of my God and Savior. But something was missing; I was always groping for a mysterious grace the lack of which made me often sorrowful in the very midst of my most sacred joy, imperfect when I most longed for perfection. It was that personal love of Christ of which my precious mother so often spoke to me, which she often urged me to seek upon my knees. If I had known then, as I know now, what this priceless treasure could be to a sinful human soul, I would have sold all that I had to buy the field in which it lay hidden. But not till I was shut up to prayer and to the study of God's word by the loss of earthly joys, sickness destroying the flavor of them all, did I begin to penetrate the mystery that is learned under the cross. And wondrous as it is, how simple is this mystery! To love Christ, and to know that I love Him - this is all!" (p 271)
This story is an excellent one and ultimately shows how God worked in one woman's life to bring her from an unhappy girl to a woman who loved Christ. It's a great story and definitely one that I'd consider a "classic."
See the next post for some discussion questions! Have a great day!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Stepping Heavenward--Elizabeth Prentiss Part 3
Here is the chapter 4 review!
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Published: Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See previous posts entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
Stepping Heavenward...
Shortly after Charley and Katy become engaged, Katy comes down with a serious cold. Charley is somewhat surprised with her tendency toward coughing and worries that she might be prone to consumption (consumption was very common back in those days and generally it was associated with coughing along with other nasty things that we won't get into here :-) ) Charley doesn't like to here Katy cough, because it reminds him of his mother who died of consumption. Katy gets worse and worries that she may die, Charley tells her he has to stay away until she gets better, Katy also wonders if they were married, if Charley would leave if she has a cough.
Katy soon comes to the conclusion that she must break off their engagement, so as to not have Charley "suffer" with her poor health. She comes to think of her self-sacrifice as "beautiful" and soon writes a note to tell Charley the engagement is off.
Charley writes a note back and thanks her for bringing the engagement to the end and tells her when watching his mother die he "vowed never to marry a consumptive woman" towards the end he writes; "I hope the consolations of religion will now be yours. Your notes, the lock of your hair, etc. I return with this. I will not reproach you for the pain you have cost me; I know it is not your fault that your health has become so frail" (p 35).
Katy is insulted by the reply and informs him in another note that "the scales have fallen from my eyes." Katy consulted with the doctors and they told her that the sickness is not "alarming" and she will soon recover. She tells him that she gave him the opportunity to break off the engagement not thinking he would take her up on it, but continue to support her. She ends by saying: "I thought I loved a man, and could lean on him when strength failed me. I know now that I loved a mere creature of my imagination" She returns his letters and ring and says "and find, if you can, a woman who will never be sick, never out of spirits, and who never will die. "
He replies saying--"Thank God it is not Kate Mortimer. I want an angel for my wife, not a vixen" (p 35).
Katy then tells her mother about the letters, the broken engagement, etc. Her mother says "God has heard my prayers! He is reserving better things for my precious child!"
The whole experience also has resulted in drawing Katy closer to God.
Later Amelia comes to visit Katy and reproaches her for breaking off the engagement before she consulted with the doctors. Katy attempt to make it clear that she is still glad it is off, since she knows Charley's true character. Amelia also tells Katy that Charley's uncle is going to make Charley his heir and Charley will become rich.
Less than a month after Katy and Charley's engagement is broken, Charley becomes engaged to Amelia. Katy is still upset by the news, however, she gets over it and finds herself wanting to find true happiness. Soon after the news of the engagement she goes to see her pastor, Dr. Cabot. Katy explains her frustrations to him, and he tells her that while everything she is explaining to him is true, that God loves her. Katy has trouble believing him that God does love her, he tells her to go home and say to herself: "I am a wayward foolish child. But He loves me! I have disobeyed and grieved Him ten thousand times over. But He loves me! I have lost faith in some of my dearest friends and am very desolate. But He loves me! I do not love Him, I am very angry with Him! But He loves me!" (p 39).
Katy goes home thinking of this and kneels down to pray. She writes: "all my wasted, childish, wicked life came and stared me in the face. I looked at it and said with tears of joy, "But He loves me!" Never in my life did I feel so rested, so quieted, so sorrowful, and yet so satisfied" (p 39).
The next several pages Katy writes about how her mother is glad that she finally has peace. She writes about more visits with Dr. Cabot and how he helps her. Dr. Cabot also tells Katy that she should try to talk to her mother about some of her concerns. Katy has a hard time explaining why she can't talk to her mother and says--"But we girls can't talk to our mothers about any of our sacred feelings, and we hate to have them talk to us." Dr. Cabot feels that something is wrong somewhere and says "A young girl's mother is her natural refuge in every perplexity." (p 42). He also encourages/reminds Katy that she is still a baby in Christ and encourages her to do things for God's glory.
Katy later discusses with him that she is troubled by the fact she doesn't know the exact moment when she became a "real Christian." He encourages her not to worry about the moment but says: "The question is not, do you remember, my child, when you entered this world, and how! It is simply this, are you now alive and an inhabitant thereof?" (p 42). (to clarify--Dr.Cabot is referring to the world of being a Christian)
Several more pages go on about how Katy is getting on in her "new" life. She still feels frustrated at times, and especially when her mother talks to her about her "disorderly" habits. Katy then goes again to see Dr. Cabot, but ends up talking to his wife instead. Katy tells her how she wants to do some really "good" for Christ, but can't think of how or what do. Mrs. Cabot encourages her to do her "daily duties" for Him, and that will make Him happy. Katy is surprised by this thought and asks "And do you really think that God notices such little things?" (p 47) Mrs. Cabot says:
"If there is any one truth I would gladly impress on the mind of a young Christian, it is just this, that God notices the most trivial act, accepts the poorest, most threadbare little service, listens to the coldest, feeblest petition, and gathers up with parental fondness all our fragmentary desires and attempts at good works. Oh, if we could only begin to conceive how He loves us, what different creatures we would be!" (p 47)
Katy goes home feeling "inspired by her enthusiasm" even though she isn't quite sure exactly what she means. Katy starts changing some of her habits, and her mother is surprised to see how nicely Katy is keeping things. Katy also muses that if God notices every little thing she does to please Him, that He must also notice every cross word we speak, every shrug of the shoulders, every ungracious look, and that they displease Him. And my list of such offenses is as long as my life!" (p 47).
Katy writes about how one day she feels cheerful and the next she writes how she is missing Amelia's friendship. Her mother encourages her and tells her that she has been living a long time for herself and that now she must live for others. She encourages Katy to take a Sunday School class and go with her to visit poor people. Katy is not very excited about the idea--she feels her time is fully occupied with books, music and drawing, and she hates a sickroom. :-) However, she decides that she will take a Sunday School.
More to follow later!
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Published: Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See previous posts entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
Stepping Heavenward...
Shortly after Charley and Katy become engaged, Katy comes down with a serious cold. Charley is somewhat surprised with her tendency toward coughing and worries that she might be prone to consumption (consumption was very common back in those days and generally it was associated with coughing along with other nasty things that we won't get into here :-) ) Charley doesn't like to here Katy cough, because it reminds him of his mother who died of consumption. Katy gets worse and worries that she may die, Charley tells her he has to stay away until she gets better, Katy also wonders if they were married, if Charley would leave if she has a cough.
Katy soon comes to the conclusion that she must break off their engagement, so as to not have Charley "suffer" with her poor health. She comes to think of her self-sacrifice as "beautiful" and soon writes a note to tell Charley the engagement is off.
Charley writes a note back and thanks her for bringing the engagement to the end and tells her when watching his mother die he "vowed never to marry a consumptive woman" towards the end he writes; "I hope the consolations of religion will now be yours. Your notes, the lock of your hair, etc. I return with this. I will not reproach you for the pain you have cost me; I know it is not your fault that your health has become so frail" (p 35).
Katy is insulted by the reply and informs him in another note that "the scales have fallen from my eyes." Katy consulted with the doctors and they told her that the sickness is not "alarming" and she will soon recover. She tells him that she gave him the opportunity to break off the engagement not thinking he would take her up on it, but continue to support her. She ends by saying: "I thought I loved a man, and could lean on him when strength failed me. I know now that I loved a mere creature of my imagination" She returns his letters and ring and says "and find, if you can, a woman who will never be sick, never out of spirits, and who never will die. "
He replies saying--"Thank God it is not Kate Mortimer. I want an angel for my wife, not a vixen" (p 35).
Katy then tells her mother about the letters, the broken engagement, etc. Her mother says "God has heard my prayers! He is reserving better things for my precious child!"
The whole experience also has resulted in drawing Katy closer to God.
Later Amelia comes to visit Katy and reproaches her for breaking off the engagement before she consulted with the doctors. Katy attempt to make it clear that she is still glad it is off, since she knows Charley's true character. Amelia also tells Katy that Charley's uncle is going to make Charley his heir and Charley will become rich.
Less than a month after Katy and Charley's engagement is broken, Charley becomes engaged to Amelia. Katy is still upset by the news, however, she gets over it and finds herself wanting to find true happiness. Soon after the news of the engagement she goes to see her pastor, Dr. Cabot. Katy explains her frustrations to him, and he tells her that while everything she is explaining to him is true, that God loves her. Katy has trouble believing him that God does love her, he tells her to go home and say to herself: "I am a wayward foolish child. But He loves me! I have disobeyed and grieved Him ten thousand times over. But He loves me! I have lost faith in some of my dearest friends and am very desolate. But He loves me! I do not love Him, I am very angry with Him! But He loves me!" (p 39).
Katy goes home thinking of this and kneels down to pray. She writes: "all my wasted, childish, wicked life came and stared me in the face. I looked at it and said with tears of joy, "But He loves me!" Never in my life did I feel so rested, so quieted, so sorrowful, and yet so satisfied" (p 39).
The next several pages Katy writes about how her mother is glad that she finally has peace. She writes about more visits with Dr. Cabot and how he helps her. Dr. Cabot also tells Katy that she should try to talk to her mother about some of her concerns. Katy has a hard time explaining why she can't talk to her mother and says--"But we girls can't talk to our mothers about any of our sacred feelings, and we hate to have them talk to us." Dr. Cabot feels that something is wrong somewhere and says "A young girl's mother is her natural refuge in every perplexity." (p 42). He also encourages/reminds Katy that she is still a baby in Christ and encourages her to do things for God's glory.
Katy later discusses with him that she is troubled by the fact she doesn't know the exact moment when she became a "real Christian." He encourages her not to worry about the moment but says: "The question is not, do you remember, my child, when you entered this world, and how! It is simply this, are you now alive and an inhabitant thereof?" (p 42). (to clarify--Dr.Cabot is referring to the world of being a Christian)
Several more pages go on about how Katy is getting on in her "new" life. She still feels frustrated at times, and especially when her mother talks to her about her "disorderly" habits. Katy then goes again to see Dr. Cabot, but ends up talking to his wife instead. Katy tells her how she wants to do some really "good" for Christ, but can't think of how or what do. Mrs. Cabot encourages her to do her "daily duties" for Him, and that will make Him happy. Katy is surprised by this thought and asks "And do you really think that God notices such little things?" (p 47) Mrs. Cabot says:
"If there is any one truth I would gladly impress on the mind of a young Christian, it is just this, that God notices the most trivial act, accepts the poorest, most threadbare little service, listens to the coldest, feeblest petition, and gathers up with parental fondness all our fragmentary desires and attempts at good works. Oh, if we could only begin to conceive how He loves us, what different creatures we would be!" (p 47)
Katy goes home feeling "inspired by her enthusiasm" even though she isn't quite sure exactly what she means. Katy starts changing some of her habits, and her mother is surprised to see how nicely Katy is keeping things. Katy also muses that if God notices every little thing she does to please Him, that He must also notice every cross word we speak, every shrug of the shoulders, every ungracious look, and that they displease Him. And my list of such offenses is as long as my life!" (p 47).
Katy writes about how one day she feels cheerful and the next she writes how she is missing Amelia's friendship. Her mother encourages her and tells her that she has been living a long time for herself and that now she must live for others. She encourages Katy to take a Sunday School class and go with her to visit poor people. Katy is not very excited about the idea--she feels her time is fully occupied with books, music and drawing, and she hates a sickroom. :-) However, she decides that she will take a Sunday School.
More to follow later!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Stepping Heavenward--Elizabeth Prentiss Part 2
Chapters 2 and 3 are here for you to read. Eventually I will start summarizing more chapters in shorter amounts, however, for the first few chapters, I want to go into more detail. :-)
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss Published:
Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See first two posts entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
Stepping Heavenward...
In June, Katy writes about how her Pastor--Dr. Cabot preaches specifically to the young people. He talks to those who--knew they did not love God, those who knew they did love God, and those who did not know what to think. Dr. Cabot feels that most of his listeners were in the third category and were not sure if they did love their Master. Katy feels she is in this category and decides to go to a class he is starting on Saturday afternoons.
She goes to the meeting (Amelia also goes), the pastor is glad to see her and asks her a few questions. He uses the example of her mother to help her see if she loves God.
After some discussion on trying to help them see if they love God, Amelia says--"Couldn't we obey Him from fear?" The pastor says "Yes; and so you might obey your mother from fear, but only for a season. If you had no real love for her, you would gradually cease to dread her displeasure; whereas it is in the very nature of love to grow stronger and more influential every hour" (p. 15).
Amelia then says--"You mean, then, that if we want to know whether we love God, we must find out whether we are obeying Him?" (p 15). The pastor says that is exactly what he means and point them to John 14:21. He invites them to come back again if they have more questions.
Amelia and Katy leave and Amelia claims that she understood everything that Dr. Cabot says. Katy still feels like she is "in a fog" but is determined that she will pray more regularly.
Due to the summer months, Katy stops going to see Dr. Cabot and even avoids him when he comes to see her. Amelia later tells Katy that she had another talk with Dr. Cabot and has become a Christian...she claims that "it is ever so easy to be a Christian!" (p. 17). Katy is frustrated that it can be so easy for her and writes--"Well, if I am destined to be miserable, I must try to bear it."
In October, school begins again and Katy writes about her studies and other things. She has more discussions with her mother and writes--"Well, I shall be young but once, and while I am, do let me have a good time!" (p. 18). In late October, her father has an accident and as a result dies from it. This is a obviously a shock for the family and Katy becomes a very serious as a result. Katy gets frustrated with people offering "comfort" and observes how well her mother holds up during the entire process. Katy's mother also mentions to her at one point that she must control herself more and not allow such "passions of grief."
Her mother also mentions that she spends too much time "brooding over my sorrow."
Her mother tells her "What you need is such a living, personal love to Christ as shall make the thought of being where He is so delightful as to fill your mind with that single thought!" (p 22) Katy wonders what "personal love to Christ" is. By January, just before her 17th birthday the family is forced to move into a smaller house. Katy's mother hopes that doing this will be able to help get James (Katy's brother) through college.
By June Katy's school days are over and that she is pleased that she can "draw and practice to her heart's content" (p 25). Her mother points out that she will not find her heart's content in these activities.
Katy's friend Amelia is now good friends with Jenny Underhill--Katy find this somewhat trying but does find Jenny to be "quite nice." Jenny lends her books to her and Katy writes that "I wish I liked more solid reading; but I don't. And I wish I was not so fond of novels; but I am" (p 25). Jenny also shows Amelia and Katy a picture of her brother Charley. Jenny tells Katy that she would like her brother because "he is exactly like the heroes" Katy admires in books. Katy is doubtful and writes that "Very few like me" Amelia says that is because Katy says "just what you think." :-) Katy is eventually introduced to Charley, and to her surprise, he likes her! She soon finds herself liking him. Amelia, Jenny, and Katy soon decide to get together to discuss books...with Charley "directing" the readings. Katy forgets to tell her mother about it and when they are getting together to meet and Katy's house, her mother finds out--and isn't happy about the arrangement.
Katy and her mother have some discussions about Charley. Katy's mother is surprised at Katy's affection toward Charley--and that she has not been consulted at all. Katy's mother soon meets with Charley and they argue about the whole matter. Soon, Charley's uncle and sister try to convince Katy's mother that it would be good for Charley to "settle down."
Katy's mother agrees that Charley and Katy can have a year's probation. Charley is allowed to spend one evening with Katy every two weeks, and Katy's mother will always be present. They are not allowed to be seen together in public or correspond. After a year, if they still want to, they are allowed to be engaged. Charley finds these constraints rather annoying.
Katy's mother still tries to convince Katy that this is not the best young man for her and says that a marriage with him would not make her happy. Katy is shocked to think about marriage...she writes "I felt a chill creep over me. All I had wanted was to have Charley come here every day, take me out now and then, and care for nobody else" (p 31).
Her mother says "Yes, marriage!...For what is the meaning of an engagement if marriage is not to follow?" She goes on about how Charley cannot be good for her and says "You are captivated by what girls of your age call beauty, regular features, a fair complexion and soft eyes. His flatteries delude, and his professions of affection gratify you. You do not see that he is shallow, and conceited, and selfish and--" (p 31)
Katy interrupts and is upset with her mother's assessment. Finally, the year's probation is up--and despite her mother's warnings Katy and Charley are engaged.
Don't you find it interesting that even a book written in 1869, the character does not think about marriage while she is "courting" a young man? (Her mother has to point it out to her!) She primarily just wants to have fun and have his primary attention directed toward her. Doesn't this type of relationship sound familiar to us readers today?
More to follow in another post!
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss Published:
Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See first two posts entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
Stepping Heavenward...
In June, Katy writes about how her Pastor--Dr. Cabot preaches specifically to the young people. He talks to those who--knew they did not love God, those who knew they did love God, and those who did not know what to think. Dr. Cabot feels that most of his listeners were in the third category and were not sure if they did love their Master. Katy feels she is in this category and decides to go to a class he is starting on Saturday afternoons.
She goes to the meeting (Amelia also goes), the pastor is glad to see her and asks her a few questions. He uses the example of her mother to help her see if she loves God.
After some discussion on trying to help them see if they love God, Amelia says--"Couldn't we obey Him from fear?" The pastor says "Yes; and so you might obey your mother from fear, but only for a season. If you had no real love for her, you would gradually cease to dread her displeasure; whereas it is in the very nature of love to grow stronger and more influential every hour" (p. 15).
Amelia then says--"You mean, then, that if we want to know whether we love God, we must find out whether we are obeying Him?" (p 15). The pastor says that is exactly what he means and point them to John 14:21. He invites them to come back again if they have more questions.
Amelia and Katy leave and Amelia claims that she understood everything that Dr. Cabot says. Katy still feels like she is "in a fog" but is determined that she will pray more regularly.
Due to the summer months, Katy stops going to see Dr. Cabot and even avoids him when he comes to see her. Amelia later tells Katy that she had another talk with Dr. Cabot and has become a Christian...she claims that "it is ever so easy to be a Christian!" (p. 17). Katy is frustrated that it can be so easy for her and writes--"Well, if I am destined to be miserable, I must try to bear it."
In October, school begins again and Katy writes about her studies and other things. She has more discussions with her mother and writes--"Well, I shall be young but once, and while I am, do let me have a good time!" (p. 18). In late October, her father has an accident and as a result dies from it. This is a obviously a shock for the family and Katy becomes a very serious as a result. Katy gets frustrated with people offering "comfort" and observes how well her mother holds up during the entire process. Katy's mother also mentions to her at one point that she must control herself more and not allow such "passions of grief."
Her mother also mentions that she spends too much time "brooding over my sorrow."
Her mother tells her "What you need is such a living, personal love to Christ as shall make the thought of being where He is so delightful as to fill your mind with that single thought!" (p 22) Katy wonders what "personal love to Christ" is. By January, just before her 17th birthday the family is forced to move into a smaller house. Katy's mother hopes that doing this will be able to help get James (Katy's brother) through college.
By June Katy's school days are over and that she is pleased that she can "draw and practice to her heart's content" (p 25). Her mother points out that she will not find her heart's content in these activities.
Katy's friend Amelia is now good friends with Jenny Underhill--Katy find this somewhat trying but does find Jenny to be "quite nice." Jenny lends her books to her and Katy writes that "I wish I liked more solid reading; but I don't. And I wish I was not so fond of novels; but I am" (p 25). Jenny also shows Amelia and Katy a picture of her brother Charley. Jenny tells Katy that she would like her brother because "he is exactly like the heroes" Katy admires in books. Katy is doubtful and writes that "Very few like me" Amelia says that is because Katy says "just what you think." :-) Katy is eventually introduced to Charley, and to her surprise, he likes her! She soon finds herself liking him. Amelia, Jenny, and Katy soon decide to get together to discuss books...with Charley "directing" the readings. Katy forgets to tell her mother about it and when they are getting together to meet and Katy's house, her mother finds out--and isn't happy about the arrangement.
Katy and her mother have some discussions about Charley. Katy's mother is surprised at Katy's affection toward Charley--and that she has not been consulted at all. Katy's mother soon meets with Charley and they argue about the whole matter. Soon, Charley's uncle and sister try to convince Katy's mother that it would be good for Charley to "settle down."
Katy's mother agrees that Charley and Katy can have a year's probation. Charley is allowed to spend one evening with Katy every two weeks, and Katy's mother will always be present. They are not allowed to be seen together in public or correspond. After a year, if they still want to, they are allowed to be engaged. Charley finds these constraints rather annoying.
Katy's mother still tries to convince Katy that this is not the best young man for her and says that a marriage with him would not make her happy. Katy is shocked to think about marriage...she writes "I felt a chill creep over me. All I had wanted was to have Charley come here every day, take me out now and then, and care for nobody else" (p 31).
Her mother says "Yes, marriage!...For what is the meaning of an engagement if marriage is not to follow?" She goes on about how Charley cannot be good for her and says "You are captivated by what girls of your age call beauty, regular features, a fair complexion and soft eyes. His flatteries delude, and his professions of affection gratify you. You do not see that he is shallow, and conceited, and selfish and--" (p 31)
Katy interrupts and is upset with her mother's assessment. Finally, the year's probation is up--and despite her mother's warnings Katy and Charley are engaged.
Don't you find it interesting that even a book written in 1869, the character does not think about marriage while she is "courting" a young man? (Her mother has to point it out to her!) She primarily just wants to have fun and have his primary attention directed toward her. Doesn't this type of relationship sound familiar to us readers today?
More to follow in another post!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Stepping Heavenward--Elizabeth Prentiss Part 1
Hello all! At last I am getting to reviewing Stepping Heavenward! However, this is just chapter 1! I am going to have to find a way to stop writing to so much. :-)
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss Published:
Originally published: in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: See first post entitled "Stepping Heavenward"
Stepping Heavenward...
As mentioned in my first post, the book starts out with Katy saying "How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen!" Her first diary entry begins January 15, 1831. She discusses how she was going to get up early, but it seemed so cold and felt so warm in bed, she stayed in bed and "made ever so many good resolutions." She wants to begin her journal--she has done several in the past, but always got tired of them. She resolves to please her mother, be more self-denying and thinks how everyone will be surprised to see her improved. :-) However, she takes so long thinking about this, that it causes her to stay in bed a little too long, and she has to rush around to get ready for the day. She is then late for breakfast and prayers. Her mother makes a point of mentioning her tardiness, causing Katy to "flare up." In a hurry to get to school she insists that she doesn't need her overshoes (a bigger shoe/boot like thing that is worn over regular shoes to protect from the cold or wet weather)
Katy has a good day at school and gets a present from her friend Amelia. The gift is a hair net and Katy writes--"Nets are just coming into fashion." She is excited to get one because it will save her time and she won't have to comb her hair--just twist and squeeze and be done. :-)
When she gets home her mother has, what I would call a "discussion" with her. Her mother tells Katy of her faults and that her character will be "essentially formed" by the time she is 20. Katy's shocked to think she has only four years to improve herself. Her mother also says--"I hope you really are a child of God, and are trying to please Him. And it is my daily prayer that you may become a lovely, loving, useful woman." (p.3)
The discussion goes on longer and Katy leaves upset and angry with the whole conversation.
When she gets to her room she sees a note and a Bible from her mother, on her desk. In the note her mother asks her to read "A few verses, to carefully read and ponder, instead of a chapter or two for mere form's sake" (p.4). Katy then randomly opens her Bible up to Matthew 24:42--"Watch, therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." Katy writes--"I felt a real repugnance to be always on the watch, thinking I might die at any moment. I am sure I am not fit to die. Besides I want to have a good time, with nothing to worry me. I hope I shall live ever so long. Perhaps in the course of forty or fifty years I may get tired of this world and want to leave it. And I hope by that time I shall be a great deal better than I am now, and fit to go to heaven" (p. 4).
Katy then writes a note to her mother and goes down to dinner, she spends the rest of her evening enjoyably and her friend Amelia is at dinner too.
Katy's writing in her diary is somewhat sporadic and several days later she writes and mentions a cold she has. (due to the fact that she didn't wear her overshoes...)
She is sick for awhile and says--"I do wonder if I shall ever really learn that Mother knows more than I do!" (p 6)
In February she writes how she feels out of sorts and that she prays to God to "make me better, and why doesn't He?" Later her health returns and she feels grateful that God has made her well, and wishes that she loved Him better.
Katy writes for awhile about a variety of things, her interests--which involve reading, drawing, singing, and playing the piano. She watches her mother help a neighbor with a sick child--sadly the child dies. She records arguments with her mother and brother.
In May she writes how she is going to practice self-denial by sharing her friend Amelia with a classmate. This goes over well with Amelia and Katy ends up getting jealous.
She has a discussion about it with her mother and her mother tries to make her see how God is willing to help her. Katy's mother also says--"I do wish I could make you love to pray, my darling child" (p 12). Katy records how she finds praying to be hard work and wishes there was an easier way of "growing good" she also wishes that God would send her a sweet temper, like he sent bread and meat to Elijah. She writes--"I don't believe Elijah had to kneel down and pray for them like I do" (p 12).
More to follow in another post!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Stepping Heavenward--Elizabeth Prentiss
Hello! Since my birthday is tomorrow, I am going to do several posts on one of my absolute favorite books. :-) So, in answer to the question I asked in my first post, "what is one of your favorite Christian books" here is one of mine! :-)
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Published: Originally published in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: Elizabeth Prentiss (1818-1878) was the daughter of a revival preacher, Edward Payson. She wrote several other books, and is also known for her hymn--"More Love to Thee, O Christ." She married Rev. George L. Prentiss and they had several children. This book is classified as Christian Living/Fiction.
This particular copy has a forward by Elizabeth Elliott, it is also recommended by Joni Eareckson Tada. Elizabeth Elliot has this to say on the back of the book:
"This book is a treasure of both godly and womanly wisdom told with disarming candor and humility, yet revealing a deep heart's desire to know God. We desperately need such intimate accounts when the word commitment is so little understood and so seldom practiced. I recommend it to any woman who wants to walk with God, and to men also, who need to better understand the wives they live with."
Joni Eareckson Tada says: "This book will serve as a guide for the Christian woman who desires to leave behind the dull, dry indifference of spiritual mediocrity to discover the rich, deep joy of knowing Jesus more fully."
More Background: This book has been a favorite of mine for years. I think the first time I ran into a copy of it, I was at my Aunt Becky's house. :-) The particular copy I saw had a girl with brown hair and a long dress reading a book...this naturally appealed to me, it looked old fashioned, she was holding a book, and she had brown hair like me! :-) I began skimming it at the house, and I think that I ended up borrowing it. This was several years ago, possibly when I was in my early teens, or pre-teen. Since then, I have read the book multiple times, have my own copy, made sure my sister had her own copy, let friends borrow it over the years, and even given it to a friend for a birthday present! :-) I even quoted one of the first lines of the book in my diary when I turned sixteen. "How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen!" Needless to say...I love the book! :-) I thought it would be a great book to review around my birthday and I enjoyed re-reading it again this week in preparation for this review. I will just give a little more information about the book and then do more posts later about the book.
"Stepping Heavenward"
The book is about a young woman named Katherine Mortimer (who insists on being called Katy). It starts when she is sixteen and ends around when she is 45. The book is basically her journal, and written in a diary/journal kind of a way. It goes through her life, her youth as a passionate quick tempered girl, wanting to please God and her parents, but constantly frustrated with her own attempts at it. Once she comes to a saving knowledge of Christ, the journal is about "stepping heavenward" and her struggles in the Christian life. It goes on into her married life, her children, and more.
More to follow on another post...have a great day!
Title: Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Published: Originally published in 1869. It has been republished several times over the years. The particular book I'm reviewing is a paperback that was published in 2001 by Solid Ground Christian Books. (I know that Lamplighter has also published Stepping Heavenward in a hardback book)
Background Information: Elizabeth Prentiss (1818-1878) was the daughter of a revival preacher, Edward Payson. She wrote several other books, and is also known for her hymn--"More Love to Thee, O Christ." She married Rev. George L. Prentiss and they had several children. This book is classified as Christian Living/Fiction.
This particular copy has a forward by Elizabeth Elliott, it is also recommended by Joni Eareckson Tada. Elizabeth Elliot has this to say on the back of the book:
"This book is a treasure of both godly and womanly wisdom told with disarming candor and humility, yet revealing a deep heart's desire to know God. We desperately need such intimate accounts when the word commitment is so little understood and so seldom practiced. I recommend it to any woman who wants to walk with God, and to men also, who need to better understand the wives they live with."
Joni Eareckson Tada says: "This book will serve as a guide for the Christian woman who desires to leave behind the dull, dry indifference of spiritual mediocrity to discover the rich, deep joy of knowing Jesus more fully."
More Background: This book has been a favorite of mine for years. I think the first time I ran into a copy of it, I was at my Aunt Becky's house. :-) The particular copy I saw had a girl with brown hair and a long dress reading a book...this naturally appealed to me, it looked old fashioned, she was holding a book, and she had brown hair like me! :-) I began skimming it at the house, and I think that I ended up borrowing it. This was several years ago, possibly when I was in my early teens, or pre-teen. Since then, I have read the book multiple times, have my own copy, made sure my sister had her own copy, let friends borrow it over the years, and even given it to a friend for a birthday present! :-) I even quoted one of the first lines of the book in my diary when I turned sixteen. "How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen!" Needless to say...I love the book! :-) I thought it would be a great book to review around my birthday and I enjoyed re-reading it again this week in preparation for this review. I will just give a little more information about the book and then do more posts later about the book.
"Stepping Heavenward"
The book is about a young woman named Katherine Mortimer (who insists on being called Katy). It starts when she is sixteen and ends around when she is 45. The book is basically her journal, and written in a diary/journal kind of a way. It goes through her life, her youth as a passionate quick tempered girl, wanting to please God and her parents, but constantly frustrated with her own attempts at it. Once she comes to a saving knowledge of Christ, the journal is about "stepping heavenward" and her struggles in the Christian life. It goes on into her married life, her children, and more.
More to follow on another post...have a great day!
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