An Honest Woman?
Written: Nov 14 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Powerful new discoveries regarding the famous 1800's evangelist.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: Good price, good research, good writing, good topic.
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| Teraisa1's Full Review: Hannah Whitall Smith Books |
Hannah Whitall Smith
by Marie Henry
Bethany House Publishers; 1993 (revised)
ISBN: 1556613164
Approximately $10.00 (hardcover) if you can find it in stock!
“The truth is that this writer of the best-selling Christian classic The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life had some agonizing experiences with members of her family and went through periods of great discouragement, doubt and even despair.”
Using personal letters to and from Hannah and amazing research skills, Marie Henry delivers an exciting twist to the 1800's evangelist's life.
Born in 1832, Philadelphia, to a Quaker family, Smith's family had advantages many of us today lack. She took this wealth of money and mind and used it for good. Smith may have well been the first truly successful woman evangelist.
But being successful does not mean you are 100% happy or without your own secret demons in life, or disturbing your relationship with Christ. And having those demons also does not mean you do not continue your most perfect walk and witnessing with Christ as your Savior.
Hannah claims a rather ordinary childhood. At about age 16, she began to question God and his wholeness. These questions were answered and were shared with the world in her writings, preachings and especially by her devout, yet sometimes tormented living.
One of the teachings is that Christians need not live dull and hard lives. She says God wants us to live in His Glory; happy and with passion.
She likens our calling to God as a "true love." At first, we love with all our hearts and gladly do work with eager hands. Later, when the newness wears, we begin to loathe our work, or find it tedious at the very least. This is not to be, not if we "are doing God's will!"
"We need add nothing to Christ, he stands alone and we need to be aware of that and live as such."
Smith does struggle -- which kept her mind active and perhaps is what made her efforts so appealing and productive. That she could not balance her checkbook was only a small thorn in her side. Larger thorns could be the fact four of her children died, or that one daughter later married an atheist.
Hannah's own marriage was put in a terrible strain in part due to her self-induced abstinence from sex. Her husband, Robert, struggled hopelessly and ended a trip with a nervous breakdown.
There is even evidence proclaiming she did not want to write this book millions have read and strive to live by, but that her husband bade her to.
So was she honest in her most famous writing? Yes, she was. We all have problems and we all survive. Exactly as she teaches. Just as she lived.
Smith died in 1911. Her legacy lives on. We have Marie Henry, for one, to thank for that.
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On Hannah Whitall Smith's The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
A book on bestseller's lists for ages--first publication in 1870--The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life (ISBN: 1-55748-807-X), boasts Smith's finest work. Smith's words, though written so long ago, still apply today, in the here-and-now.
Both the abridgment and unabridged versions are available, however, I chose the abridgment at the nice price of only NINETY NINE CENTS, which agrees with me quite well.
"One of the most inspiring and influential books we have ever read."
--Dale Evans and Roy Rogers
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Affordable Hannah Whitall Books include:
Daily Secrets of the Christian's Life
Pages: 272; paperback
ISBN: 0310240336
The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
Pages: 240; hardcover
ISBN: 1586602365
God of All Comfort
Pages: 288; paperback
ISBN: 0883684969
The Unselfishness of God
AISN: 1557484198
Barbour Publishing
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"The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not and never persist in trying to set people right."
--Hannah Whitall Smith
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Other Books by Marie Henry:
Good Night
by Claire Masurel, Marie H. Henry
Chronicle Books
ISBN: 0811824616
Christmas Is Coming
by Claire Masurel, Marie H. Henry
Chronicle Books
ISBN: 0811833224
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Websites of Interest
Smith's presence is still felt on Earth, with proof being her books selling in staggering numbers and in several websites such as:
A Woman for All Seasons: Hannah Whitall Smith
messiah.edu/whwc/Articles/article10.htm
Hannah Whitall Smith Live Cabin Chats
killdevilhill.com/z/ychristiand/HannahWhitallSmithhall/live/chat.cgi
Meet the Author: Hannah Whitall Smith
crosslifebooks.com/authorpages/HannahSmith.htm
PDF File
Representation and Self-Representation:
Hannah Whitall Smith as a Family Woman and Religious Guide
triangle.co.uk/whr/07-02/allen-ke.pdf
The Life on Wings
by Hannah Whitall Smith
posword.org/articles/other/lifewing.shtml
Excerpt from the Autobiography of Hannah Whitall Smith
tentmaker.org/testimonials/ThirdEpochInMyLife.html
Excerpt from The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life
66.34.92.38/hannahsmith2.htm
The Secret Life of a Christian Classic
by Richard Fisher
www.pfo.org/hwsmith.htm
Grace Notes
www.prestoweb.ca/peoples-church/woodward/wwchariots.html
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Teraisa1
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Member: Teraisa Rogers
Location: Military Family
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
Seven kids-too many teens, homeschooling, solving crimes, writing & editing, loves underdogs.
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