Books published by Pantianos Classics

This Bible commentary concerns the Greek versions of the Old Testament, its literary and scholarly qualities, and use as a source for later, English translations of the Biblical text.A study rich in profundity and the author's decisive scholarship, we find within this book a thorough, chapter-by-chapter comparison of the earliest versions of the Bible in Greek. The order and composition of the verses were arranged with the vocabulary differences placed into charts, that the reader may understand all with clarity.Much of Swete's thesis is concerned with the differences between the Alexandrian Old Testament and the Septuagint (commonly referred to as the LXX) - the earliest known iteration of the Bible in Greek. These two versions of the Old Testament differ in certain ways, and it is these divergences which allow for Swete's most detailed commentary.The latter portions of this work concern the subsequent use of the Hellenic Bible in later literature. Quotation was popular, with fragments appearing in various works of antiquity, in the New Testament, and in later, Medieval scholarship. Swete investigates with his usual consistency the various quotes and their context, demonstrating how the Greek Old Testament held great sway with Christians through the ages.Henry Barclay Swete was a Bible scholar who authored multiple commentaries concerning scripture. Working in Cambridge University, he was influential among theologians and would also act as an editor for several published editions of essays.

The moving recollections of Rebecca Ruter Springer serve as emotional support to Christians who are bereaved and grieving, or contemplating the nature of the heavenly afterlife.Arranged in chapters as a loose narrative, Intra Muros comprises of a series of dreamlike episodes and reflections upon the essence of life, death and what comes next after we perish. Steeped in the Christian tradition, the author's narration traverses the spiritual planes that follow death, and her descriptions of heaven are evocative and reassuring.The appearance of the heavenly realms, the blessings of the angelic spirits, and the journey the believer's souls makes the author's words profound and vivid to read. The imagery that the writer presents is enormous in scope, yet the emotional comfort she seeks to provide remains constant - sight of the book's practical purpose, of comforting Christians who are bereaved through the harrowing experience of loss, is never lost.Rebecca Ruter Springer was a poet and author who published fictional stories and verses. Much-liked and gentle of nature, she suffered from infirmity of health for decades, and her condition was often infirm. This fragility occasioned her to contemplate death and the path the soul takes after the body expires; these reflections resulted in Intra Muros, which has been consulted by Christians ever since.

In this insightful book, we hear how immensely valuable and important solitude is when consulting God for counsel and spiritual direction.The notion of 'secret communion', wherein a believer approaches the Lord in prayer, is the topic at hand. Making a case for the principle of consulting God alone and in private, George Halley Knight explains how the ceaseless activity and hubbub of modern existence deprives the mind and spirit of much-needed silence. The allotment of a mere few minutes daily to solitary consultation can, in the writer's view, aid immensely in the spiritual health of all Christians.There are various other advantages to consulting with God in private; the unseen spirits are inclined to become known when the believer is alone. The emotional effect of being alone with these, of baring one's soul and consulting with the divine in authenticity, cannot be understated. The effect of such lonesome, secret communion is soon revealed - greater inner strength and well-being, a feeling of closeness with the Lord, and a substantial appreciation for our worldly life.Overall, the author makes a compelling case for praying, petitioning and conversing with the Lord in solitary privacy. Without distractions, the human spirit can better express itself and mend its affinity with God, with the end result being a more authentic Christian devotion steeped in faith.

How Christ Came to Church is an autobiography by preacher, author and educator Adoniram Judson Gordon.The author seeks to frame his life in his very identity as a man of God, with decades of experience establishing and working for the Christian church. We receive a superb discussion on both the events that defined Gordon's career; the attitude to the church as an institution; the vitality of preaching; and Christ as a crucial thread through all.The religious and theological second part is, owing to its general departure from ordinary biographical narrative, framed as the author's 'dream'. It is here that the author details his ideas of church roles and Jesus in greatest detail. The qualities the physical structure of a church must have, as a temple and place of God, are amply detailed.The third and final part is concerned with the character of A. J. Gordon himself; how he efforted to conform his life and deeds with those of Christ. His efficiency and kindness, and ability to galvanize fellow believers, resulted in one of the most famously successful Baptist churches to ever emerge in the United States.

This book chronicles the war between the European colonists of New England and the Native American Pequot tribe in the 17th century.Counting as the first large-scale conflict fought between the incipient colonial settlers and Native American peoples, the series of skirmishes that constitute the Pequot War are an important episode in North American history. The Pequot tribe were dominant in Connecticut, their leadership being markedly hostile in contrast to the friendliness and cooperation of other tribes.As the accounts in this book testify, the battles proved increasingly costly for the Pequot tribe. Initially the Pequot mounted daring raids and insurgencies into the coastal territory of the colonists, taking captives and wreaking havoc in townships and outposts.However, the alliance between the European settlers and the Mohegan and Narragansett tribes quickly gained momentum; the tables turned, and eventually the entire Pequot tribe was routed, with its remnants sold into slavery or kept as captives.This book details not merely the war, but relevant affairs prior to and after it. The English of the 17th century accounts is preserved; spellings and language are different from that we know today. However, the attentive narrations of Charles Orr - a historian working in the late 19th century - clarify the information each source offers.

The famous exposition of Hebrew linguistics by Wilhelm Gesenius - who was one of the most lauded Biblical scholars of his era - is reprinted here in the popular translation by Arthur Ernest Cowley.As a Bible tutor and Lutheran scholar, Gesenius depended on a reliable knowledge of Hebrew to effectively teach the Old Testament. A voracious reader and a gifted speaker, Gesenius amassed audiences when giving lectures owing to his ability to make subjects vivid and interesting - it is this aversion to dryness that the author applies with vigor to his explanations of Hebrew grammar and syntax.Chapters are devoted to the sentence structure and grammatic qualities of Hebrew, with the language's peculiarities duly noted. How words are composed is another topic treated with detail, while the Hebraic system of numeracy receives extensive discussion. How the language expresses verbs and adjectives, and how gender is expressed, is revealed with ample demonstration.The edition which is presented here went through several iterations and revisions; the first lexicon and principle studies were finished in 1806, but it would not be until 1812 that a final, enlarged and definitive copy would arrive with the public. This translation to English emerged almost a century later in 1910, and was complimented for its accuracy and faithfulness to Gesenius's original work.

This history of Germany in the Dark Ages and Medieval eras chronicles the birth and progress of the nation through a series of short biographies of Frankish and Teutonic kings.The area which spans modern Germany is the author's main concern, with foreign policy and events outside this geography mentioned only sparingly. We are led through centuries of development beginning with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the subsequent rise of the Frankish people. Most notably under King Charlemagne, the Franks restored order to the continent and began to organize their territories in a manner that would eventually result in feudalism.This process of social, economic and organizational change is charted through a long line of kings who ruled during and after the Frankish Empire. Their most noteworthy accomplishments, and their costliest flaws, are chronicled in a manner which strives to be even-handed: we are shown how the development of the Germanic society from tribal to feudal was long, complex and riddled with bloody conflict and setbacks.As a professor of history in Oxford University, William Stubbs was among the foremost authorities of his generation. A special chapter is devoted to comparing the author's native England with Germany; the social and hierarchical differences of the two nations in the Middle Ages are set out in a thought-provoking fashion.

George Washington Sears tributes the great outdoors with a collection of poems chronicling life among nature in all its rugged glory.A committed outdoorsman, Sears was most at home among the trees and hills of America's wilderness. Each poem in this anthology chronicles a different aspect of life spent camping and living in the depths of nature, with only creatures for company. The author's affinity is plain to behold: he describes watching how a given animal behaves, how the weather unfolds amid the forest, how a camp feels like home, how overarching nature's majesty is.The invigorating aspect of being outdoors is admired by the author; the mountain air, tinged with the scents of trees, was thought to benefit health in the 19th century. Other aspects of the book recount movements of the era; temperence from alcohol, and conflicts with the Native Americans, are alluded to.George Washington Sears felt a sense of awe and wonder about nature while still a boy: his parent's books featuring Native Americans depicted a vast and beautiful habitats. Growing up to be a great lover of nature, Sears would often camp in the forests between working as a journalist and poet. He was an early proponent of the canoe as a means of exploring the rivers, and would undertake tours using these boats.

Fanny Crosby's celebrated autobiography chronicles her life and achievements writing Christian poetry and hymnals in amazing quantity.Renowned as one of the 19th century's greatest hymn writers and lyricists, Fanny Crosby was the victim of grave misfortune during her infancy. As a baby only a few weeks old, her eyes became inflamed - the doctor visited by her family suggested a procedure to alleviate the symptoms, but it was a failure: Fanny became completely and permanently blind.Despite this grave loss of sight, the young Fanny proved a bright child and a capable student. In particular she had a gift for words and was markedly devoted to the Christian Lord. These two attributes would soon characterize her rise to renown; as well as publishing well-received and celebrated hymns, Fanny was diligent in accomplishing mission work far from home.By maturity, Fanny Crosby was a national celebrity, her hymns and songs were sung in hundreds of churches. Those who visited her would marvel at her capacity to invent and arrange songs seemingly at will; it was a gift which Fanny always remained humbly thankful for. During and after her life, her prolific body of creative work and success in spite of lifelong disability would act as inspiration for many people.

Joyce Kilmer's supreme compilation arranges classic Catholic poems by their creators, their verses spanning many topics as well as centuries of Christian history and worship.With works collected from dozens of authors from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, this anthology of Catholic poetry is both thorough and authentic. With contributions sourced from figures as diverse as John Henry Newman, Edmund Leamy and Alice Meynell, this vast assemblage of poems seeks to represent the essence of belief in Christ as Savior, and to affirm holy Catholicism as the truest essence of Christian faith on Earth.The poems range from simple but heartfelt devotional praise to Jesus, to expositions of Bible lessons and celebrations of Christian ceremonies. Some carry seasonal themes, marking Christ's birth on Christmas Day or his rebirth on Easter. Many tribute Biblical events, with particular emphasis being on the birth, life and death of Jesus as portrayed in the New Testament.Other entries allude to the glories of the Lord's creation; the natural beauty of certain rivers and landscapes of North America feature. We also hear poems and songs which commemorate historical wars, and even the discovery of the Americas by Columbus. All carry a common theme of spiritual devotion to God, and retain their emotional depth in modern times.

Eduard Bernstein, a German politician of the socialist party, sets out his beliefs in peaceful, incremental legislative transition to a socialist planned economy.Writing in 1899, the mature Bernstein had by this time disavowed the earlier doctrines of Marxism which crucially advocated violence in the form of revolutionary upheaval. Across three chapters, he details the practical steps a given nation can take to instilling socialism via peaceful means. Quoting Marx's later works, as well as the words of Friedrich Engels, Bernstein develops an alternative thesis that goes against the grain of early Communist thought.Bernstein discusses how a society can realign its industry, production and workers toward achieving a purely socialist-communist outcome. Under no illusions about the stark differences between a capitalist, free market economy and a planned, socialist one, the author details how and in what order the incremental changes towards socialism should be implemented. The redistribution of incomes in a manner that is gradually more equitable to the proletariat is depicted in a series of charts.The stark revolutionary upheavals which underpinned the establishment of socialist and communist governments in the 20th century were in contrast to Bernstein's visions of socialism achieved by democratic and peaceful means. Despite such developments, Bernstein remained an adherent of peace and non-violence in politics until he perished in his native Germany in 1932.

Physician and diagnostician William Morgan worked in the late 19th century: this book offers an understanding of diabetes mellitus as it stood at that time.Although many of the diagnostic tenets and symptoms of diabetes were discovered and known, the methods of treating the illness were sorely lacking. The discovery and implementation of insulin was still decades away, and as such the remedies noted within this text are obsolete - chemical concoctions consisting of ingredients like Sulphur, opium, phosphates, and the inhalation of oxygen gas were often recommended. A further chapter is devoted to now-discredited homeopathic treatments.While the general symptoms of the illness are known and stated, the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes had not yet been made. Despite this the author notes the connection of diabetes with sugar, and is able to make some recommendations with respect to dietary intake and nutrition that carries some relevance to the modern-day clinic. A few recipes are appended, several attested by other physicians to have had favorable effects upon patients. Overwhelmingly however, we see in 19th century medicine a poor and lacking ability to treat diabetes mellitus.Despite being outdated and surpassed by medical advancements, this book retains use in a historical and general knowledge context. Those curious about how medicine struggled to grapple with such a serious and potentially fatal illness will find the information herein insightful. This reprint contains the original edition's drawings and charts.

Martin Luther's commentary upon the Sermon of the Mount is lively, informed, and a perfect gateway to the writings of the great Renaissance theologian and Bible scholar.As the exemplifying source of Jesus Christ's moral teachings, the Sermon on the Mount comprises of the most famous and widely discussed passages in the New Testament Gospels. Oft-quoted and synonymous with Christianity, the teachings of the Lord Jesus include the Lord's Prayer; the proverb-like Beatitudes; and phrases such as 'salt of the earth' which remain popular to this day.Luther offers a frank and respectful interpretation of the Sermon of the Mount, discussing at length the fifth and sixth chapters of the Book of Matthew, which is where the principle body of Christ's moral teachings reside. Famously effusive and enthusiastic about the possibilities of the recently invented printing press, Luther prefaces his words with hope that they will prove of insight and value to many Christians far and wide.This edition of Luther's commentary is translated to English by Charles Augustus Hay, himself a scholar of Christianity. Publishing several translations of famous works from across religious history, Hay's education in theology and long association with academia was accompanied by a pastorship in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

This work chronicles how the cacao plant is grown commercially in the Philippines; how to properly grow, harvest and sell the cacao plant is detailed.An authoritative overview of the cacao growing process, William Scrugham Lyon's chronicle was popularly consulted by planters and cultivators for many years after publication in the early 20th century. He offers a concise overview of the entire process; from choosing the seeds to plant, to germination, to growing and tending the crop, harvesting and finally selling the produce.Inclusive of charts which document the business model adopted by cacao cultivators, Lyon shows how even a small plot of land can be purposed for a steady, profitable business. At the time he published this account in Manila in 1902, demand for cacao was rocketing - as a result, many entrepreneurial farmers and growers were looking at moving into the market for cacao.The author lived and traveled in the Philippines for many years, observing the country's agricultural economy. At the time, farming and crops were the country's leading source of income, with industrialization minimal. The Filipino Bureau of Agriculture - with whom the author published this account of cacao - thus counted among the most important departments of the government.

Oswald Chambers reveals the psychological processes in the Bible, framing his commentary through the Biblical concept of the soul, man, and the divine.A thorough examination of the Bible's way of thinking, this book highlights the wisdom of the holy Bible and its value in revealing the workings of the human mind. With relevant quotation of the scriptures, Oswald Chambers demonstrates how the Bible's teachings and recounting of events such as the life of Christ demonstrate and reflect upon human psychology.The author eloquently establishes the connection between the spiritual essence of the human soul, with our physical form, and finally the mind. The relationship of these three constituents of the human being, and its expression upon the pages of scripture, form the central pillar of this instructional text. As a teacher and evangelist, the writer's capacity to educate and explain is in the fullest evidence upon these pages.Since its original publication in 1912, Oswald Chambers' work has been praised for its lucidity and clarity. Clear explanations of how humans relate to God as His creation, and how the human conscience and emotions originate from the spiritual heart of man, make this work a spiritual classic that Christians may learn and benefit from for all time.

St. Augustine's role in the Pelagian controversy, wherein a popular theologian issued beliefs contrary to those of the Catholic order, is explained here.Pelagius was a popular figure in Rome and wider Christendom; thought to have hailed from the British Isles, his multilingualism, learned stature and obvious ascetic leanings made him a well-recognized and appreciated Christian. Years of preaching in Rome in the 4th and 5th centuries affected Pelagius' views; in particular, he felt that those who pled their very humanity was the reason for their sins and wrongdoing were abominable.In his writings, little of which survive to the modern day, Pelagius offers an alternative theology based on readings of the New Testament. The Augustinian notion of original sin - that sin is inherited to all humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve - is rejected by Pelagius, who felt that individual humans have the capacity to shape their own spiritual destiny through both piety and moral living.Augustine issued a spirited defence of his own beliefs - indeed, his writings are the primary source on the character and actions of Pelagius. This reaction is chronicled in Benjamin Warfield's essays, with other sources on the controversy also consulted to inform the reader.

Apache Gold is a rip-roaring tale of adventure set on the Arizona frontiers of the American Old West.An abiding classic of western literature, our hero in this tale is Charles Wayne, a young but strong and sharp lad who seeks adventure in the southwesterly desert frontier of Arizona. His quest is fulfilled and then some: the hostile and arid environment, and the threat of ambush or robbery, are constant hindrances that require immense grit to surmount. Fortunately, Charles finds a true friend with whom he attempts to combat the adversities of wilderness.Altsheler describes the vast open frontier evocatively, placing the reader in a time when equal measures of freedom and danger were abundant. Throughout Mr. Wayne's traversals, we're reminded of how difficult it was to survive - let alone thrive - in the Old West. The beauty of the unforgiving land forms a vibrant backdrop to the scrapes and challenges our heroes must face.Joseph A. Altsheler was a prolific writer, authoring a total of over fifty novels as well as numerous short stories. Most of his writing was aimed at children, with the setting most commonly being the Wild West. After a period of hardship when he and his family were in Europe during World War One, the author health began to fail - perishing in 1919 at age 57, Altsheler's final works were inspired by the adversity he faced during the Great War.

Renowned anthropologist Lewis H. Morgan examines the origins and history of humanity, sharing abundant insights on the conditions of primitive society.Of particular interest to Morgan is the gradual process by which humans organized into civil societies. Examining a range of contrasting civilizations, from the Mayans to the Iroquois to the Romans, the author attempts to arrive at commonalities in how these peoples went from a primitive and barbaric early existence to a relatively civilized height, whereupon their greatest achievements left their mark.For the author, human civilization progressed in three broad stages - savagery, wherein hunter-gatherer behaviors, crude language and inbreeding is prevalent; barbarism, wherein the first centralized settlements and signs of organizational military and political hierarchy appear; and civilization, where humans are at their most organized and capable of great advances in science, wealth, culture and the general well-being of the population.Although many of Morgan's points are speculative and based purely off of sources as diverse and disparate as Christian missionary accounts of tribes and histories dating to antiquity, his is the among the first works of anthropology which seek to boldly tackle the questions of human history. Though many ideas herein have been disproven or discredited, they served as the foundation upon which modern-day anthropology as a formal discipline supported by sound evidence was built.

Early devotee to the Mormon church David Whitmer issues here his famous missive addressed to all the Christians on Earth.Testifying to the existence of the golden plates discovered by Joseph Smith in New York state, David Whitmer expounds upon the principles of Mormonism and encourages readers to heed his declaration. More controversially, we hear Whitmer's account of how the church gravitated to unusual beliefs and practices such as polygamy. Writing late in his life during the 1880s, the elderly Whitmer decries this practice and other events as examples of Latter Day Saints church leadership going astray.Thus, while the author praises Joseph Smith for using his gifts of prophecy and charisma to found the Mormon movement, he is not commending of the founder's later actions. The abiding message is that God is the ultimate judge of our behaviors, and that it is God who will decide upon the fates of all individuals when they perish and their souls traverse the afterlife.Though upset by what Joseph Smith became, Whitmer offers here a sincere and frank reflection upon the LDS movement. Through life, he would become the most sought-after figure for comment on Mormon matters. As Mormons grew in number and influence, Whitmer's fame was maintained by his status as one of the 'Three Witnesses' to the emergence of the Book of Mormon's golden plates.

This sci-fi classic depicts a London destroyed by a cataclysmic event, with the remnants of England's population beginning a primitive society in the countryside.With a background in studying the rural regions of England, professional naturalist turned novelist Richard Jefferies took to authoring a story that imagined a world in which nature emerges victorious over the encroaching industrialized world. London - the epicentre of urban activity and industrial progress - undergoes a disaster which wipes its human population, and much of England's, from existence.Jefferies investigates the aftermath of the disaster, as communities of people begin to form anew. The traces of London are gradually subsumed by nature, its ruined buildings worn away by water, plants and trees rising to reclaim the land upon which the metropolis sat. By contrast nature and man flourish anew in a mostly harmonious partnership.Today, After London is considered an early example of apocalyptic science fiction, a novelization of the author's own distrust and distaste for the cramped, polluted conditions that rapid industrialization brought upon England. It is his want of a world reborn that produces the most evocative passages, with many such descriptions serving as a philosophic forerunner to modern, environmentalist and conservationist movements.

Nephi Anderson's classic novel concerns man inhabiting heaven prior to arriving on the Earth, and humanity's spiritual destiny.A treasured and historic storytelling from a Mormon perspective on life, Added Upon offers a spiritual journey which reflects upon the very nature of our reality and existence. Conversations between the spiritual forces that underpin the fate and being of humankind preface the loosely connected reflections of several ordinary families living on Earth.All of these families, in one way or another, ponder the great questions of life; why are we here? What is our purpose? Where will we go after we perish?Such profound queries form the backbone of this novel, and it is through the pursuit of answers that our characters create a unique narration. Incidental appearances of forces beyond, and the author's predictions of the future of humanity, confer a wondrous element to the tale. In all, Added Upon is an encouragement to contemplation; readers are urged to consider the greatness of the divine, and the destiny of human beings.Between the narrative are poignant quotes from the Bible, which ground the book in scriptural wisdom. As Nephi Anderson's most successful novel, Added Upon remains celebrated in the Church of Latter-Day Saints to this day, and is a popular title in LDS reading groups.

This riveting historical fiction depicts a soldier in Alexander the Great's army, and was written using the authentic Macedonian letters discussing Alexander's conquests across Asia.We join the young Charidemus as he competes in a race around Olympia. Athletic and determined by nature, we find the young man ostracized by the Greek establishment owing to his origins in Macedonia - a territory which, in centuries past, was considered an uncivilized and barbaric province north of the Hellenic League.Such stigma, though troublesome, does not dent the courage of our hero, who grows ever-stronger and is recruited into the army of a young general named Alexander. After completing an initial tour, Charidemus is chosen as one of the 40,000 men to embark with Alexander on his epic conquest of Asia's uncharted lands.With vivid battle scenes, exotic descriptions of far-flung ancient cities and landscapes, flowing dialogue between the warriors, and an attentiveness to historic accuracy, A Young Macedonian is an underrated classic of ancient historical fiction.Alfred John Church was a renowned scholar of classics who studied and taught in universities in London and wider England. An able translator of Greek and Latin, he produced several new editions of ancient works, particularly letters and biographic material.

This fine edition brings together two of Parley P. Pratt's finest works: A Voice of Warning and Key to the Science of Theology.Key to the Science of Theology is Parley P. Pratt's all-embracing account of religion's impact on everything in day to day life. The author discusses religion, science, and the meaning of life in a passionate and concise way.A Voice of Warning is an instructing guide to the prophesies and the religious system of Mormonism which, at the time of publication, was rapidly gaining followers throughout North America. Yet foremost, it is a warning to honest Christians; by failing to heed the Biblical prophesies, believers will be unprepared to face the truths explained within the Bible, contained within the authoritative messages of the Holy Ghost.Pratt's insights into the importance of religion and the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives has lost none of its poignant luster with the passage of time. We discover here answers to all manner of questions concerning the dizzying pace of scientific advancement, and the core spiritual principles which all good Christians - be they Mormon or otherwise - must cleave to in pursuit of a sublime life well-lived. All kinds of philosophical and religious concepts are brought to the fore by Pratt, whose learning and researches are of stunning profundity. Topics include the spiritual progress of mankind over the ages, the various attributes of the heavenly afterlife, and the origin and destiny of the universe around us. Although he wrote an ambitious work, Pratt never struggles to explain his wide-ranging points, which are delivered with genuine warmth and passion.Parley P. Pratt was an early figure in the Church of the Latter Day Saints, whose Mormon doctrines became guiding principles for many members of the church. Public spirited, he oversaw the construction of one of Utah's first roads, while also tending to spiritual matters through preaching locally and throughout a mission to Great Britain from 1839 to 1841.

This thorough, well-sourced history of the early Christian church follows its origins in the Apostolic Age, through its growth during and after the collapse of the Roman Empire.The author treats the death of Christ as the starting point for his examination of Christianity's initial rise to prominence via the work of the apostles. Originally commanding only a small following in what is today Israel and its immediate surroundings, the movement grew rapidly despite being banned as heresy by the Roman authorities. Through disparate and spread over a wide area, early Christians were organized; the teachings of Jesus were spread by devoted, literate believers who commonly held copies of the New Testament and other lore.Great milestones in the history of Christianity, such as the Emperor Constantine's adoption of the faith, as well as the conflicts between different groups of believers, are examined. The emergence of the Catholic church, and the formal papal office of the Bishop of Rome, is detailed. How Christians lived in the centuries after the collapse of Roman rule, and the ensuent disorder, is hereafter told. Finally, we hear about how the now-organized and hierarchical church changed with the approach of the Middle Ages and the rise of a new religion: Islam.Joseph Cullen Ayer was a Biblical scholar and minister in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His extensive life experience in teaching Christianity, and his formal study of the ancient histories and texts, lent much authority to the few, high quality works he published in his lifetime.

Renowned abolitionist William Wilberforce turns his gifts of wit and analysis to the Christian faith, revealing and discussing differences between cultural and practical Christians.Wilberforce is eager to draw a distinction between those who merely follow the traditions and motions of Christianity as a matter of formality - so-called 'cultural Christians' - and those who actively seek to behave and lead life in a Christian manner. For the author, this means strict adherence to a moral code, and backing one's faith up with consistent action that is righteous and clearly inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ.Real Christianity, claims Wilberforce, is altogether less common than the inauthentic and hollow 'cultural Christianity' that pervades society. Optimistically however, Wilberforce believes that anyone born in a Christian society can with effort and will become practical Christians; to this end, he suggests numerous scriptural passages and demonstrates how people can properly respect and incorporate doctrines into their everyday lives.Though most famous for his efforts to abolish slavery in the United Kingdom and wider world, William Wilberforce was also a conscientious man of faith who felt moved to express his beliefs in writing. Known for being both eloquent and frankly spoken, it was the plainness of Wilberforce's speech that accounted at least partly for his fame and recognition in early 19th century affairs.

A Miracle in Stone comprises three lectures on the nature of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.Notable for serving as an overview of archeological and spiritual investigation of the Great Pyramid as it stood in the 1870s, this book discusses the Egyptian pyramids in a manner which considers their origins and construction methods. After describing both the interior and exterior of the structures, Joseph Augustus Seiss embarks on a series of speculations consistent with his lifelong interest in pyramidology.The one, large diagram which follows the preface of the work serves as a useful reference point for readers. This in itself is an accurate rendition of the great pyramid's structure and interior, including the passageway and tomb at its center. Each aspect of the drawing has a corresponding letter, with the smaller pyramids of Giza also appearing.The mystery behind how Giza's pyramids were built invited much speculation, with the pyramidology movement rapidly growing in the late 19th century. The idea that God or a divine spiritual force had either singlehandedly made, or contributed to, the construction of the great pyramids was popular. For his part, Seiss considers the pyramid to be a great altar to the divine.

Matthew Henry's classic, describing how Christians can rightly conduct prayers for public occasions, has for centuries been a valuable source for believers.Writing in the 1710s, the author reflected on his lifetime as a man of God who had conducted many official ceremonies and events in his church. The concerns of his congregation, many of whom experienced the heights of joy and depths of despair that life offers, led Matthew Henry to devise a methodology for praying to the Lord rich in example.This method is intended to both respect and properly consult the divine, and also give comfort to believers who are in a state of distress or anxiety. Requests to God to fulfil a desire, to forgive a sin, as well as communications of life. Simple prayers of praise, wherein the Lord is given thanks for good fortune or daily small blessings, are also detailed.Most of Henry's recommendations reference Biblical scripture as a source: with the Holy Bible as his backing, the advices and methods of the author are beyond question. The language he uses is reminiscent of the King James Version of the text, which was the dominant Bible in the 17th and 18th centuries. Despite the passage of centuries, the authority and authenticity of Henry's prayer method is undiminished.

Bible scholar Marvin R. Vincent evocatively explores how Bible study, reading and interpretation changed across the ages, from early church antiquity to the end of the 19th century.A richly informed and well-written overview of Biblical criticism's history, arranged chronologically from the early church era. Although the author dedicates but short chapters to each specific development, his breezy, straightforward narrative and lucid interpretation of the historical facts render this guide a valuable source of knowledge in the field.Most of Vincent's commentary takes place after the invention of the printing press; it was this device that saw the Bible copied and distributed to a wider audience on ever-greater scale. The growth in literacy in Europe from the 16th to the 19th century greatly accelerated and refined the practice of Biblical study and criticism. The gradual emergence - and to some extent, rediscovery - of ancient New Testament translations in Greek, Hebrew and other ancient tongues intensified these studies.Marvin Richardson Vincent was a Presbyterian minister who gained national appreciation for his Bible teachings. Originally working in academia as a professor, he would go on to spend decades in the church, authoring several guides and studies which proved of great use to students and educators of Christianity.

The eloquent short stories and parables of Safed the sage - a character created by author William Barton - offer moral teachings and thought-provoking vignettes of humanity.Dozens of short yet memorable stories comprise this volume, which seeks to promote the virtues and good deeds that make a life worth living. Sometimes the tales are simple observations of life, of chance encounters and choices made that goes on to make a positive difference. Other times the stories highlight the worthiness of qualities such as kindness, reassurance, listening, and rendering assistance to those in crisis or need.Many of the parables in this text, while inspired by examples found in the Bible, are unique - not least for their setting in a time where railways and electricity were already a fact of life. In all, Safed the sage is a wise and eloquent guide, using his parabolic skills to demonstrate what constitutes the eternal attributes of human decency.Sadly, in the years following the death of the author, the Safed the Sage series of books went out-of-print and became rare. Today, a modest readership is claimed thanks to both chance discovery and the memories of the elder generation who, as youngsters, recall reading and benefitting from the values placed into these little stories. It is thus with a measure of pride that the publisher commissioned these tales for reprinting anew.

Willis P. King was a doctor working for an American railroad company in the late 1800s - he examined patients who had sued for compensation due to injury, finding many fabricated claims in order to gain money.Dr. King first confronts the charge of longtime bias towards his employer, or that his employer might have paid him to author this book. Prior to assuming the position of examining physician at the railroad firm, King was a trusted family doctor with a strong reputation for ethical practice and rigor. He contrasts his record to that of litigants, many of whom coached their friends or relatives to lie in court in pursuit of financial gain.Several cases reported on by King were notorious at the time; examples including apparently crippled defendants who, upon gaining a large cash settlement, discard their crutches and limb braces within weeks of receiving the money. Dr. King himself reports resisting anger and confrontation when seeing such individuals walking in public, sometimes mere streets away from the courthouse that delivered their favorable verdicts.Though this work is defined by the strong moral convictions of the author, certain cases carry cause for humor. The testimony of certain witnesses, and the ridiculousness of certain claims, plus the successes of the author in mitigating the damage done to the railway company, give cause for cheer in what is overall a catalogue of human greed, dishonesty and deceit.