©2006, The Banner of Truth Trust, 24l pages in hardback.

Because of the reprinting of Elizabeth Prentiss’ books, her name has become familiar to modern Christians.

She was born in New England into a pastor’s home in l8l8.  Her father dealt with melancholy all his life.  She was devoted to him and greatly impacted by his death shortly before her ninth birthday.  With less income, the family provided for their needs in a variety of ways, including Elizabeth serving as a school teacher.  As a teenager, she began to express herself through writings, many of which were published.

The Lord used early hardships to prepare her for the future.  In l843 she accepted a marriage proposal from George Prentiss, a ministerial student.  The couple shared a commitment to Christ and a background of childhood struggle.  Her great fear in marriage was that her love of Christ would be hindered.

Marriage brought many opportunities for the couple to manifest their singular and joint love for Jesus.  Their trials included lengthy illnesses and deaths of children, balancing family and church responsibilities, unending responsibilities as a pastor’s wife, and trials that came from living in foreign lands as George sought to regain his health.

This stalwart lady ministered to others through her writings.  She emphasized the joy of loving Christ and the blessings flowing there from as part of her storylines.  She penned the famous hymn “More Love to Thee, O Christ” and probably her most famous book Stepping Heavenward to show that trials are purposeful.  Trials can bring the recipient closer to the Lord and deepen an individual’s love for Him.  Her children’s books center on the importance of obedience to Christ, especially in the midst of hardship.

The author has provided a fair and balanced biography. She writes within the context that Elizabeth was a woman of her times.  Some of her books, particularly for children, present youngsters who are always obedient, humble, and receptive to trials in a fallen world.  The author notes that this is an unrealistic, unbiblical view of children.  In other writings, women are presented as the spiritual leaders in the home.  The husband’s main duty is to work outside the home and provide monetarily for his family.  This was a cultural expectation in her day.

Prentiss absorbed the perfectionist theology taught by many.  This errant belief claimed that Christians could live on this earth without sinning.  She ultimately rejected this unscriptural teaching; however, she seems to have given a listening ear to it for a time.

James, also, notes that Prentiss was given to emotional swings, alternating between great joy and valleys of darkness.

Readers can use this book with great profit.  We realize that this prolific author and committed Christian was one who had to struggle with sin as we do.  God used her talents to minister to many in her generation and beyond.  Christ, our Savior, is alone the perfect example of how we are to live.  Although we are removed from the high infant mortality and sundry griefs of the mid-nineteenth century, our own day offers sufficient trials of its own.  Modern Christians can use providential griefs purposefully.  Love for Christ can be deepened.  Ministry to others can increase.

This book will be of particular interest to those who have read Elizabeth Prentiss’ writings or those who desire to do so.  The work provides a context for understanding the author and the culture in which she wrote. It is a fine tribute to a godly lady and includes several pictures of people and homes mentioned in this work.

Review ©2007 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia