A Thorny Path

A Thorny Path by Hesba Stretton.

A Thorny Path, the title taken from a German hymn, refers to a life that is not always rosy. Chance meetings, charitable deeds and hardships on London's streets combine into a heartwarming story. We follow a life weary Hagar that made a bad decision because of her extreme circumstances, a woman in whom blossomed spiritual renewal, and a person that modeled the love of Christ. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"-John 15:13.

Paperback, 134 pages, 9 illustrations.

ISBN  9781935626015 

Fern's Hollow

Fern's Hollow by Hesba Stretton.

The Fern family lived peaceably in their hollow for two generations. Stephen was a hardworking coal miner and cared for his family. When a miserly landowner told them they must move out, he stood upon his vow to his father. Love for his enemies proved difficult to accomplish. This wonderful story is filled with many Bible verses and spiritual discussions. Five illustrations compliment this edition.

Paperback 6X9, 5 illustrations, 126 pages.

ISBN  9781935626329

Pilgrim Street

Pilgrim Street: A Story of Manchester Life by Hesba Stretton.

It was a rainy day in Manchester when little Phil went to the courthouse to try to free his wrongfully accused brother. But the judge told Tom about Jesus and gave him money to start a business. Tom prospered but then trouble developed in several ways. Tom struggled with a Christian religion that was stern obedience, with no grace from Christ. The concept of a loving heavenly father was difficult when all he knew was his natural father. A key Bible verse is Revelation 21:7: "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son."

Paperback 6X9, 160 pages, 8 illustrations

ISBN  9781935626671

Lost Gip

Lost Gip by Hesba Stretton.

One stormy night Gip was missing. "Gip" is short for Gipsy because she had dark black eyes and black hair. Sandy continued to search for Gip and made good friends with John and Mrs. Shafto, who became his spiritual mentors. Mr. Shafto, a Scrooge-like character, badly needed a change of heart and is helped by Sandy. A street preacher spoke of Christ seeking those that are lost, which becomes the theme of the story, with John 19:10: "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. "

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Paperback 6X9, 114 pages, 6 illustrations.
ISBN  9781935626688
LOST GIP by Hesba Stretton -Paperback -$7.95

The Children of Cloverley

The Children of Cloverley by Hesba Stretton.
A sequel to Fern's Hollow.

A farm family lived by Lake Heron, during the Civil War. The father left home to fight in the war and the children were sent to Cloverley, England. The life with their cousins in Cloverley is an adjustment with less heavy labor and more education. The coal mining town is out of work until the new shaft is completed, but first the will of God must be trusted. The theme of the story is submission to the will of God in all things. An important verse is Matthew 6:10—"Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven."

Paperback 6X9, 170 pages, 5 illustrations.
ISBN 9781935626718

The Crew of the Dophin

The Crew of the Dolphin by Hesba Stretton.

Captain Norcott talked Peter Blake into sailing on his ship, but Peter was concerned about the soundness of the vessel. After the launch it was determined not to be the real Dolphin ship and sailor's lives were dependent upon a business owner whose only concern was to make money. This greediness resulted in many ships and crews being lost for the collection of their insurance, but how can restitution be made? What becomes of the women left behind? An important Bible verse is Isaiah 40:12—"Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?"

Paperback 6X9, 118 pages, 5 illustrations.
ISBN 9781935626725

Alone in London

Alone in London by Hesba Stretton.

James Oliver lived alone in London and worked in his newspaper shop. He had an unusually open relationship with Jesus, whom he talked to as a personal friend. One day he found Dolly, a little girl, alone in the shop. Tony, a street boy, had fended for himself and needed a place to sleep at night. These three isolated people came together and formed a family. Tension came between Oliver who wanted to care for the downtrodden, and Aunt Charlotte who wanted to maintain a life of respectability. An important verse is Matthew 25:40: "Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these, ye did it unto me."—Curiosmith (2013).

Paperback 6X9, 102 pages, 4 illustrations.
ISBN 9781935626732

Enoch Roden's Training

Enoch Roden's Training by Hesba Stretton.

Enoch Roden began his apprenticeship in printing with a bad accident, but as the story progresses, his training becomes more spiritual. Mr. Drury, his boss, trusted in God's provision for his business but when business went bad, it led to confession of his faults. Enoch questioned his attitude of despising God's daily gifts, thinking he was in rebellion like the Israelites. Trusting God's providence when it doesn't seem like He is paying attention is a training many go through. An important verse is Psalm 37:7—"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him."

Paperback 6X9, 146 pages, 4 illustrations.

ISBN 9781935626756

Max Krömer

Max Krömer: A Story of the Siege of Strasbourg by Hesba Stretton.

Max Krömer, a fourteen year old boy, relates the horrors of the Siege of Strasbourg in this work of historical fiction. The actual siege, during the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, consisted of surrounding the city and then bombing and starving the inhabitants, until they surrendered. In this story, Max and his sister Sylvie, went to their grandmother's house in Strasbourg while their father traveled. It was quite unknown to them they would have to endure six weeks of "the dreadful noise of the war." They looked to God for answers. An important verse is John 14:18—I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."

Paperback 6X9, 88 pages, 8 illustrations.
ISBN 9781935626770

Cobwebs and Cables

Cobwebs and Cables by Hesba Stretton.

Roland Sefton fled England mysteriously after he stole 10,00 pounds from his own bank. As time progressed the widely varied effects of this wrongdoing included isolation, ruined lives, shame and death. Toward the end of the story only time, circumstances, forgiveness and the grace of God could heal what had occurred. "He could not unravel the warp and woof of his life. The gossamer threads of the webs he had begun to weave about himself so lightly in the heyday of his youth and prosperity and happiness had thickened into cables and petrified; it was impossible to break through the coil of them or find a way out of it."

Paperback 6X9, 304 pages.

ISBN 9781935626749

No Place Like Home

No Place Like Home by Hesba Stretton.

Ruth Medway, a Christian mother, brooded over her eight children who had left home.  Ishmael, her beloved ninth child, took the schoolmistress' daughter to a cave and roasted some wild eggs. The unusual consequences of this event shaped his life greatly. "Where can we find a home again, mother?" he asked at last; "there's no place like home." "Up there!" she said, lifting her dim eyes to the great sky above them; "if God gives us no other home here in this world, He's got one ready there for thee and me." "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you."—John 14:1, 2.

Paperback 6X9, 60 pages.
ISBN 9781935626855

The Christmas Child

The Christmas Child by Hesba Stretton.

Miss Priscilla Parry, a fiercely independent woman, lived on a farmstead and helped to raise her two nieces. Inspired by the Biblical Christmas story, the children Rhoda and Joan had a habit of visiting their barn manger every Christmas to look for a child. One day Rhoda mysteriously disappeared and a search began. This story's spiritual theme is to forgive when it is hard to forgive. Luke 11:4—"And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us." This edition includes four color illustrations by Kate Street.

Paperback 6X9, 44 pages, 4 illustrations.
ISBN 9781935626923

Jessica's First Prayer

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. Jessica knows little about God's love, but has an inquisitive mind showing that a person who seeks eventually finds God. This is one of Hesba Stretton's most popular tales, a touching story first published in 1867.

Paperback, 9 illustrations, 54 pages.

ISBN  9780981750521

LCCN  2008939470