Sorry everyone about not announcing the winner of the book yet. Caleb decided we needed another ER visit on Wednesday, so we weren't able to get this on.
We are so excited to see so many people joining us for our next discussion! We can't wait to begin... but first things first. Without further adieu I give you the winner of Rosa of Linden Castle, who was chose by Isaac, and it is:
We haven't received our books yet, but we hope to start the discussion by next Wednesday. Let us know if you have received your books yet. We will hopefully have ours soon! The Daily Planet
Ahhh, you will have to give Isaac a big hug for me!!! I'm so happy I won!! Was wondering where I would come up with the money to order the book, now I don't have too!!
Okay, so is there anything I need to do now??
Thank you soooooo much, and I'm very excited to get started!!
Because we have had such a hard time choosing what book to read next from all the great Lamplighters, we asked one of our readers to help us. Eyebright gave us 3 titles she liked and since one of them was one we had picked out last time, we decided on that.
So our next read is: Rosa of Linden Castle
In this unique von Schmid classic, a daughter''s love for her imprisoned father ensures us that though it was meant for evil, God always intends it for good. Through difficult trials, Rosa learns what it means to truly love her enemies and to wait for the Lord's perfect timing.
Author:Christoph von Schmid Written in: 1845 Pages: 163
We are excited about this read and hope to have you join with us as we read and discuss Rosa of Linden Castle.
There is a Mr. Linky you can sign, so we know that you will be joining us! We want you to join so much that we are giving away a copy of Rosa of Linden Castle to one reader who signs the Mr. Linky. We will give you a week and then next Wednesday we will announce who the lucky reader is!
These books are such little treasures with such powerful and eye-opening messages, we don't want you to miss out!
So sign the linky and commit to read another great book with us, and your name will be put in the drawing to win a copy of our next read, Rosa of Linden Castle! We have also found that these books make wonderful family read-alouds. They are greatly enjoyed and understood by children of all ages! The Daily Planet
Yay! I can't wait to get started. I think part of the reason I like to read these books, is because of the way they look! They are so nostaligic looking.
Anyway,
Have a very bright, very cheerful day!
Eyebright
I don't always get a chance to comment....well, I really don't comment at all these days on the discussion - life is crazy - but I am reading the books along with you!
I would like to thank Amanda and Christina for leading the entire discussion of Helen's Temper for the past month. I am just onto chapter 4, and I cannot believe how horribly mean Helen is. I mean, seriously. I am astonished. At first, I could not understand why Helen's mother is oblivious to Helen's temper, but then I had to think about the fact that she does seem to suspect something and seems distressed over it.
I do know how it is to see one of our children acting out in a sinful manner and not be able to control it. Sometimes, not even knowing how to address it. In Helen's Temper, Helen has fooled many. She and her prideful, snippy friends are just manipulative bullies who have not yet been caught. We all know children like this. We know Christians who behave this way, boys and girls... men and women. We have probably acted this way in some manner at some time in our lives. The question is, did we mature? The question about Helen is, "Is she really spiritually mature?".
On the outside, she appears spiritually mature, but on the inside, she is hateful, vengeful and downright nasty. Off to read the rest of the book.... I hope she matures.
Chapter 10
As we start this week's discussion, we find out that Louisa is deathly ill. More ill than we were made to think in the previous chapter. Little Betty is waiting on her little friend and spending as much time as she can with her.
We also see that Helen is still suffering from her conscience. She is in a very dangerous position with her spirituality right now. Now is the turning point of whether she is going to heed that little conscience or if she is going to ignore it. If she chooses to ignore it, she is going to have a REALLY hard time getting herself out of that habit. When I was younger, just a few years ago, I was ignoring the Holy Spirit and my conscience. I was so far gone and I am still dealing with repercussion of it. I still have a hard time not ignoring my conscience and the Holy Spirit. But by the grace of God I am coming back to hearing and knowing when the Holy Spirit is leading me!
A scripture that comes to mind through this ordeal is:
Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
I think a lot of times, we really do think that we can get away with our sin. Sometimes we do, but it is only for a time. Eventually, all our sin comes out. Whether it will be here on earth or when we all rise and go to heaven.
I can tell that Grandfather is on the verge of something for Helen and I am sure everyone is going to know what happened. It is going to be sad to see how it plays out though.
OH YAY! Louisa is sitting up and doing better! Thank God! I was thinking last week when I read that she was just kinda wanting to die that maybe she wasn't getting better because she didn't want to. I am glad to read that she is "going to try and get well".
It is really sad to me that Grandfather Holt had to question little Louisa like that, but like he said, :"But for Helen's future, I must persevere.".He had to find out because he NEEDS to talk to Helen. This is a really big deal and it NEEDS to be taken care of.
I felt the tears coming as I read that part about Grandfather Holt turning his head to hide his tears. To read her innocent thoughts about life and death and to know that his granddaughter was the one to bring Louisa to this point, must have just torn him up! I wonder if he felt any remorse for not being more of a spiritual guide for Helen.
Chapter 11
From the title of this chapter I have a feeling that Grandfather's Story is going to be Helen's story only told as an allegory. I can relate to Helen in her feeling the dread she is feeling from this invitation. In the above mentioned state of my life, I had many invitations like Helen has just received. I know what she is going through.
I was even like Helen in the fact of her unforgiveness. I would not have gone and asked forgiveness of those I had sinned against. That did not help the situation either.
Oh I love this part of the chapter: "Helen was growing more familiar with sin; every hour that she indulged in deceit was leaving its mark on her character. How powerful! Every second, every minute, every hour we wait to ask forgiveness of sin, is a second, a minute, an hour that we become more accustomed to it. It is just something that becomes a part of us. It sticks and it is hard to unstick!
Grandfather Holt is very wise and sees a lot. Not just physically stuff, but also spiritual. He is very discerning. Grandfather Holt's story is a little more like the actual story than I would have thought he would do. But obviously it got the point across! This is a shock to see Helen like this! WOW! Maybe she really is sorry for her actions. Oh wait... never mind. I had to know this was coming, "Ask God to forgive me?" "And then Louisa." "What! That little brat?". I sure wish she would decide whether she wants to be who she is supposed to or if she really doesn't care. But that is how all of us humans are, I suppose. Wanting to be who we are supposed to be in the Lord, but our flesh gets the better of us most of the time.
Ah... finally we see some hope in Helen. She really does want to be Godly and lovely! I think she is at the point where she can't stand herself anymore and just wants to be rid of this wronging and become who she is supposed to.
Chapter 12
Ok... where is the kleenex when I need it! WAH! This chapter is already turning out to be so beautifully sad! Poor Louisa!
There is not words I can say right now.. only tears as we read about Louisa's departure. What a blessing it is to be the one to go to heaven before your family and friends. Knowing that you will be healed and that you will get to see the Savior!
Louisa's farewell to everyone was so sweet! I bet everyone was wishing they could go with her! The Daily Planet
Wasn’t it sweet how even when Louisa was well Betty spent every holiday ministering to her and being a blessing?Some people avoid tragedy, but even during this time Betty never wavered in her spirit of kindness towards her little friend. Likewise, Helen’s attitude had not changed much. The consensus was that this tragedy would be the last one for Louisa.She was not improving at all before this trauma, but this was the “final straw”. I
In times of tragedy, can I focus outward instead of inward and determine to bless those around me, rather than seeking a blessing for myself?
I was relieved that Grandfather Holt had not let Helen’s odd behavior pass by him unnoticed. He had not only discerned that something was certainly amiss, but had precisely pin-pointed the cause of it by this time. His private conversations with Louisa served to confirm his suspicions.
The joy of the gift was greatly overshadowed by the need for this dialogue. My heart ached for Louisa, but Mr. Holt persisted out of his desire not only for justice to be served towards Louisa, but in the knowledge that Helen MUST be corrected in order to be redirected to the right path! In order to be this diligent with our children this will involve being close enough to them to be able to discern when something is amiss! In what ways can I know my children well enough to be in tune with their rough spots so that I may be actively in the process of refining them?
I had previously said that I wondered WHY Louisa kept this secret. I wept to realize that, even now, her love for her friend was so great that she was willing to sacrifice her own rights to protect Betty.There are few that I know that would be so unselfish. Most people demand what they feel is right and just and even justify their own wrong actions when they have been wronged or feel entitled to a privilege or compensation of some type.
When I am wronged, can I learn to be more Christ-like and less demanding of what I perceive are MY rights? How might this look in practice?
Grandfather’s confrontation of Helen was both wise and kind.He spoke in what is akin to a parable, not unlike the method Jesus so often employed with his disciples in the gospels.Helen was reduced to begging her grandfather’s pity and to be spared the continuation of the tale. Even at this point she shockingly refused to apologize to the injured child to whom she referred as a “brat”!Can you imagine the wickedness and folly in this young lady’s heart that she would blurt out such an accusation after all that had happened? Eventually, her Grandfather convinced Helen of her need for Christ’s forgiveness and while we are told her transformation was not immediate; we do see evidence of a change of heart, at length.
We must have courage to hold accountable those we love.This will involve a prayerful wisdom and a commitment to follow-through.How can I sensitively and wisely challenge someone I love?
Louisa’s final scenes were indeed bittersweet.Tears flowed freely and I found it difficult to keep my composure long enough to finish reading the last chapter to my children.Louisa had no fear of death and she sought to comfort those she knew would be saddened by her passing.Louisa was unselfish and free from self-pity to the very end.
May I be prepared to meet Jesus when my life is over.May I have more reasons to rejoice than to regret.What tangible steps can I take to ensure this end? The Perils of Parenting and Other Ponderings
What a POWERFUL story we have just read. It brings tears to my eyes! Let us always remember Helen's wise words. "For I have reason to sorrow bitterly, through a long life, over giving way to my temper, and the sad consequences it produced!"
Let us remember:
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
I am not typically a crier for things that are really truly sad, but I sure did feel like crying during the last part of this book!
Even though the title of this book was about a "temper" it also delt with many other things, such as lying, deciet, envy, and so on.
How terribly true that the longer you continue in sin, the less shocked, hurt, or troubled you are by it. Then, you come to a crisis, when you either decide to keep going the way you are, downward, or to take the long hike back up to righteousness.
I really don't know what else to say, other than that I loved this sweet little story, and I hope it will sink into my thick, dense head.
I can't wait to see what the next book is, and I hope that I can participate!
Wow, what a great little story. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it.
I was convicted by Helen's character. Her temper, her desire to impress her friends at any cost, her ability to fool those closest to her. I was reminded how important it is not to ignore our concious. For every time gets a little bit easier until we don't hear it anymore.
I was also convicted by Betty's character. Her tender heart, her loyalty to her friend, her perserverance. She was a loving daughter, a true friend, a sincere Christian. She didn't quit when things got difficult.
This story has touched me. In reminding me what I don't want to be, but also in inspiring me to what I would love to be.
Once again this week, Mrs. Brown has so wonderfully offered her services as a guest discussioner...
This week we read chapters 7-9 of Helen's Temper.
Even the chapter 7 title “Helen Forgets Herself” indicates the manipulative, deceptive nature of Helen’s doings. Helen had been quarreling with the very friends with which she had sought alliance. She probably would have silenced them better by NOT being hostile. They may have tired of tormenting her if she would have just stopped worrying about what they thought. Helen resented the given corrections in the few instances where her mother and grandfather had discerned Helen’s true nature. I wonder if they ought to have kept her closer! At least the mother decided to send Helen to another school away from these friends, if need be. (Too bad homeschooling was not an option!) Helen’s spiteful treatment of Louisa was despicable. Have you ever had a friend (or group of friends) who prevented you from thinking clearly? Peer pressure is not just a problem facing children. We need to be willing to stand up to and back off from ungodly relationships! Parents need to boldly remove all such obstacles from their children’s’ paths, as well!
I nearly felt a bit sorry for Helen when she realized that she had hurt Louisa physically. I can relate to the feeling of instant regret upon slamming a hairbrush down only to see it shatter into bits. It is hard to face the fact that your anger has gotten out of control. This incident could have produced immediate change in Helen, but instead, she endeavored to cover it up and even allowed it to further her bitterness and contempt for Louisa. This only allows us to realize that Helen’s attitude has blackened her spirit far more than was previously apparent. Helen acted in a way that was both hateful and ultimately cowardly! Her concern was still more for her reputation than for the well-being of the younger girl. At least Helen is still enough unaccustomed to lying that there is some sign of her discomfort externally. It is a wonder that her mother did not tune into this better. I would like to think that I would at least discern that something was amiss! Helen moves from rage, to shock, to cowardice and inaction, to deception and more bitterness. The quote at the end of Chapter 7 embodies the danger therein:
“There was a battle being waged, and if lost, Helen would face the terrible consequences of the one thing she dreaded most, something that would lead to a lifetime of lies- a seared conscience!”
Even in the heart of this trying time, chapter 8 paints a growing hope with a description of how things had been steadily improving for Louisa’s dear, little family. It is strange to me that Louisa does not tell her mother what has really happened. Perhaps we can view this as mercy and forgiveness, but it bothers me that the child would not confide in her mother. She is too young to bear such a burden alone. It choked me with emotion that she would send messages of forgiveness and love to Helen, because it is painfully obvious that she is truly concerned for her welfare and puzzled by Helen’s cruelty. How bittersweet it is to read of Louisa’s quiet confidence of a pain-free existence in Heaven with Christ and her lack of fear of dying. Even in her distress, Louisa thinks of being a blessing to Betty and even to Helen. She has truly learned to be more like Christ and to think of glorifying God even in her suffering. In stark contrast, Helen’s smug self-congratulations at being undiscovered turned my stomach!
When I read chapter 9 to my children they were incredulous that Louisa would beg Betty to keep information from their mothers. In our family, we have taught them that all secrets “belong” to mommy and daddy. How can we protect them if we do not know what is going on with them? Even Betty’s Grandpa encourages her to keep her promise of secrecy rather than reminding her to consider how the TRUTH can set you free! Sweet Betty suggests the gift of the rosebush to her grandfather. In giving a blessing to someone else, we can often find encouragement. We were made first to Glorify God and secondly to bless and serve one another in faith to bring them to a place of glorifying God! Betty certainly fulfills both requirements! How opposite are Helen’s thoughts that Louisa is feigning illness to entrap others into pitying her! What a bratty girl! Still, she fears being “caught”! The Perils of Parenting and Other Ponderings
Ok… I think I messed up last and didn’t read all the way through chapter 6. I just read to it! Doi! So here is my chapter 6 discussion:
Chapter 6
What a sweet picture of two bosom friends that can't imagine their lives without each other. I am blessed enough to have a bosom friend, Jocelyn. Betty and Louisa are a lot like Jocelyn and I only we are sisters. But we share the same love and friendship that they do! It is such a great thing!
It is sad to hear, though, that little Louisa is not growing better despite all the new things that are changing in her life. I have a feeling that we will be losing little Louisa soon, although I pray we don't!
I love that Betty has such a heart for helping those in need. It is very sad to see that Mr. Hall may die and that Louisa and Mrs. Hall will be devastated by it! I can't imagine losing my dad! Oh the horror!
Betty is just so AWESOME! The way she can simply share the Gospel with Mr. Hall is so inspiring! Actually the way she shares it with everyone gives me the push to want to go talk to everyone I see about the love of Christ! What an amazing little girl she is! She is a true missionary!
Chapter 7
OK… Now to this week’s reading brings to my mind that it seems this book should have been named something more like, Betty's Love or The Little Samaritan Girl. Something like that since it seems this book is more about Betty and the love she shares than about Helen's Temper! Although I think that we are going to start to hear more about Helen very soon!
You would thin that Helen would have enough sense to just stay away from Mary and Alice. I don't understand why she would still want to be friends with them.
OH MY WORD! Poor Louisa! I can't believe that Helen did that and just ran off and did not tell anyone! OH MY! How horrific! Then how she tells herself that she should not tell anyone is really disturbing! That is totally and completely wrong of her. I am really awestruck and the malice and contempt she has for this little girl who really never even asked for anything from anyone!
I really am astonished that Helen just comes home, composes herself, and goes downstairs and acts like everything is normal. What a hateful girl! I think that maybe if her mother hadn’t been so busy with getting that dress done, she would have realized that Helen was not herself.
As mean as this may sound, I am quite relieved that Helen’s conscience still works and it kept her up all night!
You would think that with that dream she had that she would tell her mother since she still doesn’t know if she is dead or alive!
Like Mrs. Brown said, I too really think that the end of this chapter is something that we really should understand. It truly does show the real Helen.
Chapter 8
I feel so very bad for little Louisa who is going through this. How sad it is to read that she almost doesn’t want to get better because she is afraid of the consequences of what that could do. I am sure she is afraid that she will get pushed again. Maybe she just can’t handle thinking and believing everything Helen told her about how she pretends and such. It is so obvious that Louisa is no way pretends anything. She is one of the sincerest girls I have ever read about or known.
I cannot say enough how selfish Helen is. Really she only thinks of herself and what will benefit her or be a detriment to her. She cares nothing for others!
I absolutely love where the author says, “Was not this heaping coals of fire on an enemy’s head?” That verse has really been a motto for us these last couple months. That is actually based off of
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
That verse is so powerful. It really lets us know that even when we are completely wronged and hurt that we should not do what has been done to us, but instead do the opposite and when we do it will just heap those hot coals on the wronger's head as a constant reminder that they were wrong! Not that we are to do it for malice, but we are to do it because the verse right before that one says,
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it iswritten, Vengeance ismine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
That is what it means. I think that Louisa understands true forgiveness and I think that Helen would realize that if she was not so selfish!
As we end this chapter we see that Helen is too stubborn to even talk to God about her sin. That right there will get you into HUGE trouble. And also that the one person who knows about the secret Helen comes back into her life.
Chapter 9
Poor little Betty! To have to see her little friend so hurt and sick must have been so very hard on her! I don't know that I wouldn't have cried when I saw her! Among all of Betty's wonderful traits we see that she has yet another one: Self-control! She is such a great friend that she knows she must control herself from not crying in front of her dear friend.
I wonder if Betty is thinking that when Louisa is asking her all the questions if maybe she had made her wonder those things. I wonder if Betty feels bad about not making sure that those questions were not in Louisa's head.
I do think that Betty should have told her mother and grandfather what she talked to Louisa about. That would have been very wise of her, even though she was asked not to.
Mr. Holt is very wise and very watchful. For him to glance at Helen and see her reaction was really wonderful. He seems like he would definitely notice if something was going on with Helen and he did. I just wish he was around more so that Helen would feel like she does around him and maybe change!
As we end this week's reading, I can smell that Mr. Holt has something up his sleeve for Helen. I know that as next week is the last reading of this book that it will be the turning point for Helen and I can't wait to see what she learns and if she changes! The Daily Planet
So sorry for the week or so absence. We have had a lot to do and just totally forgot!
This week we decided to ask Mrs. Brown to help me with the discussion. Mom is swamped right now. I just want to say thank you to Mrs. Brown for helping me out this week!
This week we are going to discuss just chapters 4-6. So we are a week behind our schedule.
I am sorry also about not putting the schedule up higher. I actually forgot that we had the New Read post set an later date than we posted it, so it would stay at the top of the blog. I did change that and the schedule is now right under the discussion.
So without further adieu...
We start chapter 3 with our sweet little Betty worrying about her new friend, Louisa and if she will decide to attend Sunday School with her. I love her childish way of just saying what she is asking. I think so many times we are afraid to just ask for what we need or want, and we end up beating around the bush in our prayers to God. I love the way that Betty just goes straight to the point!
Then we read that Helen tries to dissuade Betty from taking Louisa to SS. She is now reminding me of when Satan was tempting Jesus in the wilderness. She is just being downright hateful. Really she is being so mean. She is having no thought except for herself and what others will think of her if Betty brings Louisa. You would think that everyone who would be at SS would LOVE to have an unsaved girl attend and come to love Christ as they do. You would think they would welcome her with open arms. But unfortunately, they don't and even nowadays we don't. We shun those who we think are less than us because they aren't clothed in fancy clothes or aren't rich or aren't pretty. It is sad.
What a little trooper Betty is to just ignore all the evil words her sister is saying. Betty is wonderful.
It is surprising to me that Miss Herne didn't see the 2 girls talking to each other and stop them. I know that one room schoolhouses were small. I just would have thought that she would have seen them. It is very sad that they had so much contempt for Louisa.
I am so glad that Louisa got SO much from just the one lesson. It brings joy to me to think that she could pick up so much in so little time. She is going to get far with that!
It was nice to read more about Louisa's family. It gave me a little more insight to what she might be going through.
I would have thought that Miss Herne would have maybe spent more time with Louisa. It appears, though, that she just met her and told her to come back.
Poor Mrs. Hall! I am not a mother yet, but I do feel remorse and guilt sometimes for things that I did that have caused pain to others.
I am kinda getting mad at Helen. HOW HATEFUL she is! Oh my word! She really loves herself more than she loves her sister. Even more than she loves Christ, I think. If she cares more about not being associated with Louisa, then she really doesn't care about the love of Christ.
I don't understand why Betty will not tell her mother about Helen. That is not making sense to me. This is a problem that Helen clearly needs to deal with and her mother not knowing about it is really bad for Helen.
I love it that little sweet Betty was able to give her hymnbook to Louisa and her family. What a blessing!
Reading about Betty going to Louisa's house and helping them make that place shine was so wonderful. It made me want to go clean something. I love how Betty was able to approach teaching Louisa and her sisters, just like Betty's mom had done with her. Betty would make a great stay at home mom! This whole chapter was so encouraging and lovely to read!
What a joy for Louisa to have such a caring friend in Betty! I am so happy that Betty and Mrs. Smith were able to find some clothes and stuff for her. Hopefully we will read on that they also procured some clothing for the two younger children.
It is always that way isn't it. Helen is jealous of Louisa. I am not understanding Helen at all. I mean, she really acts hateful toward her sister about Louisa, yet she is jealous of her. Why is she jealous? I would assume because Helen always had the attention and now she doesn't and also because she is so worried about what other people think that she does not have joy in her life! Louisa does. Even when Louisa was lost, she never lost her joy! Helen's is gone though.
It is great to see that Mrs. Smith is finally getting to hear what is going on. I figured she would be very distraught to hear all about the evil things that Helen has been doing.
I am so glad to see that the Hall girls remembered and cared enough to keep the house looking good. It is great that Sarah will do what Louisa cannot and it is lovely to see Louisa teaching and helping her know what to do.
I am glad to read that Louisa's father got in on the remodeling of their home. It sounds like he did such a great job incorporating the girls into helping him.
As we end this week's discussion, it ends on such a beautiful picture of Betty dreaming, that I cannot say anything better than what the book describes.
BEAUTIFUL! The Daily Planet
Last week I was on vacation and I found myself wondering about Betty and Louisa as if they were real friends. I thought of Betty’s compassion toward Louisa and I wondered what would happen next! I was happily surprised when my children mentioned it too!
Betty’s desire to help Louisa moved me to tears. What understanding this child displays! We tend to become so wrapped up in our own lives that we often forget to consider another’s plight before our own! When I read this to my children, I reminded them of the passage of scripture we are currently memorizing from Philippians Chapter 2:
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
We need to be more like Betty and think carefully of how we may bless one another firstly in our own home and then those we meet. Betty did not only pray for Louisa, but she took action!We would do well to make a weekly plan for blessing others! Ask yourself, “What is one way I can bless my family this week? Whom else can we, as a family, bless? How?” Then, DO it!
As I read this story, I grieved for Helen. How blind she is. I asked myself repeatedly if I am blind in some areas too and I asked God to reveal any areas where I am prejudiced, selfish, more interested in impressing humans than in pleasing God, etc.
Even in the face of persecution, Betty continued to minister to this family. She quietly endured Helen’s bitterness towards her and set her mind to be a blessing! She brought the family resources in every form: mental (kindness and encouragement), physical (food, clothing, curtains, and even a toy) and spiritual (a hymnbook, Sunday School lessons, talking openly about the things of God with the family). She also set about not only doing FOR them, but also teaching the children to be useful and cheerful in so doing!
Can you imagine a young child being so able to speak to a grown man?She spoke with certainty and joy. She shared her understanding of the gospel. I believe she had “earned” the right to speak in this manner by living what she believed before him in the previous days and weeks. He had seen the difference in her and was able to receive the truth from this child. In what ways do we hinder our own testimony? Are we too busy to see a need? Are we inconsistent? Do we begin to help, but become too scattered to do what we must? Do we gripe and complain about our own situation to the point where we are no different and lose our ability to shine the light of Christ to those around us?
Betty devoted her free time, her resources, her energy, and her prayers to bringing the love of God to this family. Perhaps this is one way we can be effective, by being single-minded instead of over-committing ourselves to a variety of “good” activities. If Betty had been like this, she may have missed chances to garner credibility in the eyes of the Hall family. What if she had not showed up that first Sunday and kept her promise to Helen? What if she visited seldom and then with complaints about her own situations? What if she had been dissuaded from her little mission by Helen’s cruelty? Have you ever determined to be a blessing, but found yourself off-track eventually?
When Betty spoke of the suffering of Christ, my heart was heavy within me. We certainly take this for granted. We have heard it all so much that we have stopped realizing its weight and its worth. Betty persuaded Mr. Hall to resume the reading of the Scriptures and to begin to take his troubles to Jesus in prayer. She provided a Burden-Bearer for this family and she herself did her share to carry a portion of the load to the glory of God!
Near the bottom of page 63 where it says, “The next afternoon Betty started off to see Louisa and to hear how her father had passed the night.” I initially read it incorrectly, as “her father had passed away in the night.” All of my children groaned with sorrow and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when I announced that I had read it wrong! Louisa’s father’s health begins to improve and his spiritual health blossoms! His daughter begins to seek him to lead her and to read the Scriptures to her. His hope is renewed and he is given a chance to again become gainfully employed.
As sit at the end of chapter 6, we know things for the title’s namesake must soon come to a head. How will Helen’s Temper further bring distress for those around her? She is so selfish and unkind. She must be very unhappy in her own heart. There is a saying that says something like, “He who is wrapped up in himself is a very small package.” I am afraid that will prove to be true of Helen.
In the meantime, let us apply what we have read. Let us have a plan to bless our own family and pray about how we can take on a single-minded family project to proclaim Christ to the world around us. I would love to hear how this plays out in YOUR family!
I am so sorry that I have not participated in the club sooner, but I only just started reading the book last night! Talk about procrastination! I will try to be more faithful.
How I love Betty! She is so good and kind and loving, that it breaks my heart when I think of how much I lack those qualities. It also shows that you can do SO MUCH in your own little area! It really shows that we can have a ministry, even in our own little part of the world, the part that we influence.
Helen is SUCH a sharp contrast to Betty's love. As both of you said, she is just so selfish, and loves herself more than anything else. I, too, can't believe that she would say such things and do such things, about inviting a girl to Sunday school!
I am really enjoying it so far, and it almost has a slight Louisa May Alcott feel to it, which I love. I can't wait to read more!
I am disturbed by the way that things are going in the book. Why is Helen such a nasty little creature? Why doesn't her sister tell her mother how horribly Helen treats her and her friend? It seems to me that the mother and grandfather suspect that Helen is being unkind. So why haven't they taken more action? It appears that Helen's family enables her to continue behaving this way.
I am touched by Betty's kindness not only to Louisa, but to her entire family. She is showing them unconditional love, God's love. She is making a difference in a poor little family, that thought no one cared.
Sorry for being a little late on getting this up, we had a visit from some really great friends we just had to meet! Mom will have hers up soon. She is still behind from all the sickness and hospital visits!
Helen's Temper and It's Consquences
From first reading about Helen, you can tell that she is very selfish and self-praising. Not to mention mean... not a very good combination.
In Sunday School, I could tell she only knew the answer to show that she was hearing the words of Miss Herne and could tell her what she knew.
Helen is very prideful and I don't think she realizes it. But as Proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." I am sure we will come to see that soon. Unfortunately!
It really astonished me that Helen would not help the Little Louisa. Did she really only hear the words of Miss Herne and The Good Samaritan and not listen to the meaning with her heart?
I think that happens to all of us a lot of the time. I remember when I was younger, when I was in trouble that Mom would ask me if I had listened to what she was saying. Not just hearing it, but listening and taking it to heart.
I love the verse that her grandfather uses, the Luke 16:10, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." That verse is one of my favorites!
There is another thing that my Mom tells me that the grandfather spoke of: "As you are now, my Child, so you will be when you grow older, and therefore it is important you should have right ideas and right feelings while you are young." My Mom has always said something like that to me. She has said that the person I am today is the person I will be for the rest of my life because when I hit a certain age doesn't mean that I am going to automatically change. How powerful is that?
It is sad to me though that Helen was so eager to get rid of her grandfather. Why do we push away the righteous people in our lives who show us the sins in our lives? I have learned that no matter how far you push them away, God will find some way to get them back to you to show you what you need to change.
I love her grandfather. It is hard nowadays to find grandparents who will teach you the Bible and talk to you about Scriptures and tell you what you don't want to hear.
All I can say of Betty is WOW! What a precious little girl with a heart for the lost. Friend to the friendless!
I am really astounded by Helen's mean spirit. She is just nasty. She calls names a lot and that is really sad to see.
It is so great to see that little Louisa learned so much her first day at Sunday School. That is the real reason for Sunday School. To teach the lost.
Oh! I love the verse Louisa learned and recited to her mother. I bet it brought much peace to her and maybe even a little hope that things would turn toward the better.
As we close the last chapter, I can completely relate to Mrs. Hall. I a lot of the time get caught up in life and troubles that I forget about Christ. That is when my life is really a mess. Its a mess because I take my focus off of Christ and place it on my troubles. I need to remember that as long as I keep my eyes on Him, then I won't sink into the sea as I am walking across it! The Daily Planet
As a former Sunday School teacher, the first thing that grabbed my attention was the difficulty one might have in truly judging the character of a child based on their attentive and pious answers in a classroom setting. How true I know this to be. There are children I know that other adults think are the sweetest and most agreeable things they have ever met, but I know them better because of a closer relationship with their families and have seen other parts of their character that can remain well-hidden in such settings! This spurns me to watch diligently for my own parental blind-spots and to pray that God will reveal that which requires training and correction.
The mother in this story seemed to be too harried to really take note of Helens shortcomings and so they skimmed in under the radar and while undetected grew to a point where not only Helen was hurt, but her younger sister and the sweet, unfortunate Louisa that they chanced to meet.
On a side note, let me just say that I pondered the very thought as to their presumably chance meeting with Louisa and thought out nothing is really random and how much I hope I can teach my children to watch for every opportunity as one brought by God to be a blessing and encouragement to those around us. I pray with them everyday that we will not be a stumblingblock, but do I reinforce to them to see each circumstance as brought by God? These opening chapters really caused me to examine that idea. God surely, in His providence, allows situations much like this to occur maybe even DAILY! How carefully we must watch for chances to shine His truth to those we meet.
I am afraid, that to a small extent I was a bit like Helen as a child. I dont think I would pass up a hurting stranger, regardless of what others might say or think (Ive always been very compassionate), but I specifically remembering giving my sister the same sort of angry push that Helen bestowed liberally on Betty in this story. My sister and I were often asked to sing duets and she sometimes, in her shyness, would become stage shy. Being that I enjoyed the accolades of the congregation I would be enraged by her stubborn quietness. I would elbow her and pout when she did not perform her part to my liking. I can recall three instances of just such a thing without really trying. I dont remember being corrected for my vanity. I hope I was.
Even though our family no longer participates in Sunday School, I love the imagery here of a woman so passionate for the Lord and for children that she patiently instructs her charges. That is what I hope others would see everyday if they could peek in on our family devotions, but sadly it is a lot more frustrating and a lot less pleasant than the scene described in the book.
I wondered at what a blessing it was that Betty was a child of her word. I could just imagine Louisa that second Sunday, dressed in her mothers gown, waiting for Betty to arrive. What if she had not. Can you imagine how crushed her spirit might have been? Can you imagine how that might have effected her ability to trust anyone who claimed to know Jesus in the future? How very important keeping our word is and how certainly we must not be dissuaded from good by those who have other motives.
I am anxious to see what happens next. I know Helen has more to learn, but I am curious if the physical hungers and trials of Louisas families might be helped or if the spiritual need met is just what they need for now to get them through. I actually caught myself thinking, for just a split second, of how I could give some clothing to this dear family. I will make a point of donating some of my childrens nicest outgrown things to someone in need at the first possible chance! I challenge you to find a way to bless someone this month too!
I finally got a chance to sit down and read the first 3 chapters in Helen's Temper. It was very sad to read of how Helen truly was when adults weren't around. I have seen that same trait in some children. Super sweet and helpful around adults. But just stand outside the door when they don't know you are around, and listen to how they speak to the younger children that they interact with. I think you can tell a lot about a child by watching how they interact with younger children. Are they patient, helpful, kind? Or are they selfish, critical and harsh?
Helen's behavior is all about "reputation". But Betty's behavior is all about "character". I am impressed that the grandfather sees into their hearts. I am hoping that the mother takes the time to also deal with the heart issues.
I forgot to check for the reading schedule, so I'm quite late. Everyone has already made such insightful comments that I really don't have much to add.
I was a little bit surprised that Miss Herne was that deceived after watching Helen call her sister stupid. This is definitely a good lesson of appearances being deceitful: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
After reading Miss Herne's private thoughts about Helen, I was a little bit worried about how Louisa would be received. I breathed a sigh of relief that she was treated lovingly and kindly. I think that Miss Herne's opinion of Helen had more to do with the fact that students like Helen make her job easier than Helen's true character, and she probably would have realized this if she thought about it a little bit. It was refreshing to see how careful Miss Herne was to show love to all of the children despite her personal opinions.
I agree with Amanda that Helen is probably headed for some kind of fall. It will be interesting to read how and if she changes.
I too didnt know the reading schedule until I returned from our vacation, but I did catch up last night on the reading (I even read by candle light to my hubby :). My heart ached at the thought of Helens behavior, and was pleased to see/ read that Betty seemed more intuitive to the needs of others than that of some of the girls that have been described in the first 3 chapters. I have found this time and time and just as Jesus always said there will be those that know but do nothing, even in his name. I am reminded of the pharisees in the way Helen treats the child in need, and even her own sister. Pharisees in the Bible were so quick to condemn Jesus for restoring the health of those in need on the Sabbath than they were, and yet they claimed to know so much about the bible, yet really had no clue. Almost like an episode of Wife Swap I happend to watch were the one couple knew so much of the bible and theology that they almost diffuted it, and the couple that felt the love of the LORD may not of known so many bible verses but they sure did understand the Love GOD has for all......
There were several things in the 1-3 chapters that tugged at my heart and I know for certain it was the Lord showing me somthing I may need to apply to my self
on a side note< You can know all about Jesus all you want and still not KNOW HIM
Hello everyone!
We got our books this past week and are really itching to get the discussions going. I have gotten mine almost finished. This story is really interesting.
Anyway, we made up a discussion schedule for Helen's Temper.
Discussion Schedule:
March 12th Chapters 1-3
March 19th Chapters 4-6
March 26th Chapters 7-9
April 2nd Chapters 10-12
This is a difficult decision, choosing which new book to read, every month! There are so many good books to choose from!
I considered how long of a book we want to read and how much is a good amount to spend each month. I am so impressed with the timeless lessons and stories in these well-bound books, that to me it is an investment, though it is an investment! We then made a list of a few, which you can read and add to on New Book Coming: Suggested List. After that, I had the children pick from the names of the characters, and Helen won. :)
The new book we will be reading is:
Helen's Temper - Lamplighter
Helen and Betty could not be more different in their perspectives of the destitute people that live around them. When Helen, the old sister, hears the story of the Good Samaritan she is rewarded for her classroom achievements, while the other sister chooses to live the example of the Good Samaritan. As Helen lives for herself and is constantly worried about the opinions of others, Betty searches for ways to be a blessing to others. When faced with the realities of living the life of the Good Samaritan, Helen reveals the treachery of her own heart as she mercilessly withholds good from a dirty street urchin. This is a story that reaches the heart, especially when you read how Helen responds to unexpected mercy and forgiveness she did not deserve. Author: Mrs. George Gladstone Written in: 1872 Pages: 168
I will post and let you know what we are reading and when the first discussion will be after I check out the chapters and how they break. I am shooting for March 12th. I didn't know if we could all get our books and read and be ready by the 5th!
Please sign the Linky below if you plan to join us and read with us. Discussion is optional... though we would greatly love to hear your thoughts on what we are reading!
I know I have not commented on the rest of The Inheritance yet, but I would still like to read along. I will try to get that done soon! :) Housework just never seems to let up long enough to allow writing time! LOL!
Once again, the author uses the imagery of flowers to make a stunning point! I, too, am a forgetful person sometimes. Forgetfulness can be a sin if it stems from being to self-absorbed. When I was younger, this was often the case. Now, it is usually from being overly busy (which may have some sin roots too, but in a different way). Anyway, a trick my mom taught me when I was young was to wear a ring with a stone or some time of embellishment and to turn it upside-down when I must remember something. When it becomes uncomfortable and I start to right it I immediately am reminded of something important. Obviously, this device works in some situations and not in others! It is best for the absent-minded and not as effective in incidents of laziness.
Once again, as in the story of Clara, we see a friend who is truthful, but thinks of a wise and power way to capture the attention in seeking to right a serious fault in her friend. Sophia means wisdom. She was true to her name. Sophia could have given many a valid excuse for giving full vent to her disappointment with Minna. I do not know if that would have produced lasting change though.
Minna is a well-meaning and generous girl and certainly does not intend to be hurtful but her actions are described as being injurious to those around her. I didnt mean to .is not good enough of an explanation at times like these.
Lately, I have had cause to examine the issue of carelessness in my own life (ironically, following the criticism of the very same trait in my children) and this story deepened my resolve to slow down and make more time to be thorough and trust-worthy. I would do well to realize that having good intentions is not nearly as effective as living with care and diligence. I have been awakened to the possibility of my own inattentiveness bringing discomfort and harm to those I care about most and I would rather carry my own load than to burden someone with an extra trial.
I am thankful that Christ, our Savior, bore the burden of my folly and I would do well not to be so flippant and inconsistent. May each of us look carefully at the methods we use and not only at the intent behind them!
That is fine if you use that version. We are pretty sure it will line up with our discussion.
We would, however, like to point you to this comment: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HSBLiteraryClub/286194/?#c521531
In it JessicaatLamplighter explains what the difference is between a public domain version and the Lamplighter version.
Thank you for joining with us! We are so excited!
Miss Amanda for the HSB Literary Club
http://superangelsblog.com
I so greatly apologize for not being as active in the Inheritance discussions as I were to the Hedge Of Thorns, things have been a whirly wind, then by the time my book had got to me, it was well then place on the back burner of our home duties and then playing catch up with you guys was a bit suprisingly hard for me this time around. I did manage to finish the first book of the book.lol and still working my way through the end of the next.... But I do look forward to the next book, and I am going to go ahead an order it then use the public domain until it gets here, so I can stay on track....
I agree with Quiet Cajun. Many times not keeping a promise is pure forgetfulness. Being too busy, too preoccupied, too distracted. And in being so, we forget things that are important to those that we love the most. If something is important to a loved one, then it is important to us. And we need to take steps to remember the promises that we have made.
Hello Everyone!
We are sincerely sorry that we have not yet discussed The Forget-Me-Not. Between the hospital visit and being sick going on two weeks now, we just have not been able to get our discussions done.
However we encourage you to go ahead and post your discussion in the comment section.
Thank you for your patience!
Blessings~ Jacque
You would think we need a Forget-Me-Not ring to remember to get our discussions done, huh? haha ;)
This story was really a neat reminder (pun intended) to always remember and be aware of what we are doing!
It is really neat how a simple little flower can show us so much about ourselves. I think forgetfulness isn't really about forgetting things, its about not taking the time to actually remember what you are supposed to do.
Most of the time I really don't have a problem with forgetting things, unless I am in a hurry and am not worried about what I am forgetting. That is when we have a problem.
This is such a neat story. I really like the way Sophia has a grace and air about her that she can lovingly chide Minna with such a degree of making a point, yet all the while only doing it so Minna knows. That is real love of a friend.
What an impact those pretend flowers finally had on Minna. These story just amaze me that the only way to get through to these girls is through flowers. You would think that just forgetting so many times would be embarassing enough to Minna that she would remember things better. But I guess she really didn't care.
The Forget-Me-Not rings are very precious and I think we could all use one every now and then. That really is a sweet thing.
Once again, through a little story of 15 pages, we read and are transformed with open eyes of areas to work on in our own lives.
What a blessing to read these stories! The Daily Planet
Welcome to HSB Literary Club. Please join us in reading Rosa of Linden Castle by Christoph von Schmid. Written in 1845, this unique von Schmid classic tells of a daughter''s love for her imprisoned father ensures us that though it was meant for evil, God always intends it for good. Through difficult trials, Rosa learns what it means to truly love her enemies and to wait for the Lord's perfect timing.
To get started, click on the book icon and get yours ordered today!
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being associated with Louisa, then she really doesn't care about the love of Christ.
and right feelings while you are young." My Mom has always said something like that to me. She has said that the person I am today is the person I will be for the rest of my life because when I hit a certain age doesn't mean that I am going to automatically change. How powerful is that?
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am not worried about what I am forgetting. That is when we have a problem.
