Classic Christian Literature

The Giant of the North

2009-05-19T21:30:00Z

The Giant of the North
by Robert Michael Ballantyne

Chingatok was a native dweller in the Arctic regions. He was no ordinary Eskimo; he was a giant in the truest sense. He grew up like any other Eskimo, hearing stories about those regions that were not all snow and ice like his own country. Instead of being content to just hear about them, he decided to take a party of Eskimos and go and see them himself.

On reaching the coast, he encounters a British ship and agrees to accompany its captain, Captain Vane, and part of its crew to the North Pole.

Thus begins an incredible journey with adventures from a wild, uncontrolled ride on a kite-pulled sledge, to blowing up an iceberg with dynamite, to defeating a polar bear single-handedly without a gun or knife.

This enthralling tale of bravery, comradery, and perserverence is really a page-turner! A great read!

~ GlobeReacher

The Master's Likeness

2008-11-12T20:56:00Z

The Master's Likeness
by Joseph Johnson

A heartwarming story of a young boy named Robert Welby, an orphan all alone in the world with no friend to care for him. When Dr. Thorncross took him into his school, Robert was his "Christ's sake" boy, the doctor usually had one boy who he admitted free of charge at his own expense, but this time what started as an act of charity became a deep and beautiful friendship between the stern, precise headmaster and the poor, lonely boy. Robert knew who it was that had taken him in, saved him from the workhouse and opened his arms to him, and he was deeply grateful. Having recently lost his father, the boy was devoted to the doctor, and the love of his affectionate nature was poured out to this headmaster who had done so much for him.

The doctor was a Christian man, holding fast to the principals that his boys should grow and learn in godly character and the fear of the Lord as well as in education. All the boys respected him greatly, but none loved him as Robert did.

To the grief of the doctor, Robert did not excel in most of his studies, though he did his best. But he had to gift for drawing which quite amazed his teachers.

During his first drawing examination, Robert was looking around at the objects given as subjects for the drawings, not finding anything that really caught his eye, but then he looked up. There was the doctor, sitting over the class of boys with a stern face and keen eyes, but when that glance fell upon Robert, he saw it relax into a beautiful smile. He knew what he would draw. He would draw the master's face, just as he had seen it then. As the drawing master collected the papers after the boys had left, he knew immediately who would receive the prize, there was no doubt as to that. If the boys had seen "Old Chalk and Bones," as they called him, when he was shown the likeness, they would have noted that the doctor blew his nose not a little.

As time went on, Robert's affection for he doctor grew, as did the doctor's for him. The other boys may have suspected favoritism, they did not see any signs of it, except for the ready forgiveness on the doctor's part to Robert after several episodes of mischief. Robert was given a hard time about it and was called a good many names, having few real friends among the bunch. The boys were set on doing something to get him into trouble.

Robert was by no means perfect, in the beginning he was persuaded to go along with the boys on some of their plans, but there were always consequences for wrong at the doctor's school. But when the doctor told them that, to quote the book,

"…there would come days in their lives when they would have to choose between God and this world, between Christ and the devil, between love and hate, right and wrong. On the one side were heroism, valour, and glory unspeakable; on the other side cowardice, devilry and doom."

He then asked them to choose then which they would follow, as they would wish they had when they came to die. Robert heard and chose.

Then one day there was an explosion… Robert lay unconscious as the room filled with smoke and fire…

This is a great book! I really love it! It has a 'real' feel about it, which adds to the book. Young boys, and girls, would enjoy this story, and older ones too, I loved it. Great story of love, resisting temptation, the consequences of sin, God's free gift of salvation for us if we, completely unworthy, but receive it.

~ Star Dust

Dawn of a Tomorrow

2008-09-23T17:40:00Z

Dawn of a Tomorrow
by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A man, depressed, desperate, on the brink of cutting the delicate thread that ties him to this earth, in his mind there is no tomorrow. After today, no more sleepless nights, no more remembering, never more to wake. After today... but where will he be tomorrow? He asks himself that question, but cannot find an answer. No tomorrow...

From the first, the reader is drawn into a story of Antony Dart, who is on his way to end his own life...a life without God, and therefore without hope. The fog is dense; he wanders around on his way to the pawn shop to buy the pistol. With that done, once more he goes out into the fog. And then, he meets a little girl. She is a poor, ragged child of the streets, but for some irresistible reason Dart follows her, though he knows not why. She leads him to Apple Blossom Court where she lives, a dirty, rundown, dark place like so many in the slums of London.

There, he meets a woman whose past has been a life of sin and hardship, and yet, her child like faith and trust in God is real to her as her next breath. She says of faith:

But 'Im as stretched forth the 'eavens an' laid the foundations of the earth, 'Im asis the Life an' Love of the world, 'E's 'ere! Stretch out yer 'and,' she ses, 'an' call out, "Speak, Lord, thy servant 'eareth," an' ye'll 'ear an' see.

An' never you stop sayin' it--let yer 'eart beat it an' yer breath breathe it--an' yer 'll find yer goin' about laughin' soft to yerself an' lovin' everythin' as if it was yer own child at breast. An' no 'arm can come to yer. Try it when yer go 'ome.' "

Antony Dart is struck with the simplicity of her belief and trust.

"Am I sitting here listening to an old female reprobate's disquisition on religion?" passed through Antony Dart's mind. "Why am I listening? I am doing it because here is a creature who believes—knowing no doctrine, knowing no church. She believes--she thinks she knows her Deity is by her side. She is not afraid. To her simpleness the awful Unknown is the Known--and with her."

This is a great book! It is short, but draws the reader into the story. It isn't really the type of book younger children because of the near suicide (though is has no violence), it is very good for teens and adults, though. A very good book!

~ Star Dust

The Spanish Brothers

2008-07-14T23:00:00Z

The Spanish Brothers
by Deborah Alcock

A gripping story of two young brothers, Juan and Carlos, in Spain during the Inquisition. The two were devoted to each other, and from the time that they were but boys, they had planned and fancied how they would find their father, who had been lost and was believed dead long ago. They wondered at the phrase carved in glass by their father's hand,

"El Dorado
Yo hé trovado"

"I have found El Dorado"

They dreamed of what the great treasure he had found had been.

The brothers grew up, Carlos, the younger and more delicate of the two, went into training to be a Catholic priest, Juan to be a soldier. Carlos was well taught in the Catholic faith, and on the verge of becoming a priest when he met Juliano Hernandez, whose influence would change him forever. Juliano was not a Catholic, but a follower a Christ, part of those who were chosen to suffer for His name. Julian gave Carlos a Spanish New Testament, which was very scarce and dangerous to have on one's keeping. After reading the Testament in his language, Carlos' eyes were opened to the Truth and he was truly changed.

The storm clouds were gathering over the little band of Christians in Seville, and growing ever blacker. Soon, the rain began to fall. Carlos is seized by the Alguazils and taken away…

Written in 1898, this amazing story chronicles the lives of Juan and Carlos, though fictional characters, their suffering and trials are very real, many records tell of countless similar circumstances. The Inquisition, the Question, the Auto-de-fé… Those heroic men and women stood firm in the face of great persecution, a light much stronger than the darkness around them shined, and they were conquerors! An excellent story! On reading it, our present troubles are lost, not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to come. I recommend to all!

NOTICE: Some readers may not find it to be as exciting as they had expected in the beginning and will be tempted to peek at the end of the book, DO NOT! The end is well worth waiting for!

Those of you who are familiar with the quote below my name on the forums maybe be interested to know that it came from this book.

"My country is there

Beyond the star pricked with the last peak of snow." ~E.B. Browning

~ Star Dust

A Tale of Two Cities

2008-06-24T12:00:00Z

A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens

reviewed by Elizabeth Niebel

Set amidst the turmoil of the corrupt governments of England and France, this story begins in 1775 with the release of Alexandre Manette who has unjustly been in prison for the past eighteen years. He is reunited with his eighteen-year-old daughter, Lucie Manette, who believed herself an orphan. Though Monsieur Manette gladly adjusts to leading a normal life again, he is haunted by the thought of something he cannot remember.

Charles Darnay is a French heir to much wealth, which he does not claim, due to the means by which it was acquired. Rather, he has chosen to earn his living by teaching, and in kindnesses to others, attempt to repair the wrongs incurred by his family. In one such instance of kindness, he meets the Manettes; their acquaintance grows into friendship throughout further meetings. Darnay's renunciation of wealth and position in France, donning a false name in England, and traffic between the two countries, cause each country to either dislike him or suspect him of treason. All of these things lead to tenuous situations for Charles Darnay.

Sidney Carton is a barrister of England, who, though very bright, is in general, bored with life. He is envious of Mr. Darnay because he holds the affection of the beautiful Miss Lucie Manette. Can he reconcile his love for Miss Manette, and his dislike of Mr. Darnay?

Aside from the characters already mentioned, A Tale of Two Cities contains wine shop keepers who lust for revenge on their French oppressors, a messenger for a bank who robs graves at night, Lucie Manette's opinionated but faithful servant and friend, and various other characters, all intricate to Charles Dickens.

Although this redemptive narrative is about people, it is also a tale of two cities, London and Paris, before and during the French revolution. It is a tale of loss and of gain, of violence and of peace, of revenge and of love. Perhaps it is best described in its opening words "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".

~ Elizabeth Niebel

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this great review! If anyone else would like to send us reviews of classic literature with Christian values, drop us a message at our Contact page! All reviews are subject to filtration.

~ GlobeReacher

My Mates and I

2008-06-23T20:55:00Z

My Mates and I by Mrs. O.F. Walton

A young man like many others, Charlie Wescott had the outward appearances of a Christian, but his heart was not in it. He longed for change, to see more of the world. Against his parents' wishes, Charlie decided to go to London to find work, and there he did see some of the world, and the types of people that thrive in it. Though he resisted temptation and peer pressure for a while, he soon fell into bad company. While thus he continued, even news of his mother's death and prayers for her boy who she knew was going wrong would not change his heart, but God knew how to reach him.

When working one terrible day, the support Charlie was standing on gave way…

Through the story of Charlie, Mrs. O.F. Walton tells of the danger of sin, rebellion and conformity to the world, and of how willing God is to receive us back if we turn to him. Some of the character traits it teaches are humility, discretion, love and forgiveness. Great book for teenage boys.

~ Star Dust

Welcome and Introduction

2008-06-21T12:00:00Z

Welcome to Classic Christian Literature! This website will be a collection of reviews and recommendations for Classic Christian books such as (but NOT limited to) those written by G.A. Henty, R. M. Ballantyne, Martha Finley, and the books printed by Lamplighter Publishing. The forum [LINK] will be a place where people can discuss the articles and the books aforementioned. We hope and pray that this weblog and forum will be a great resource to lovers of such literature, and those who are beginning to do so.

The easy-remember web address to this site is http://www.classicchristianliterature.com/

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~ GlobeReacher, Star Dust, and ACBookworm