In a screened and secluded corner of one of the many railway-bridges which span the streets of London there could be seen a few years ago, from five o'clock every morning until half past eight, a tidily set-out coffee-stall, consisting of a trestle and board, upon which stood two large tin cans, with a small fire of charcoal burning under each so as to keep the coffee boiling during the early hours of the morning when the work-people were thronging into the city on their way to their daily toil...
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About the Author
SARAH SMITH (1832-1911) was born in Wellington, England. She had the good fortune of being able to read books from her father's bookshop, a printer of evangelical literature. Her mother was a strong evangelical, but died when Sarah was young. When she began writing, Hesba Stretton was her pen name, Stretton coming from the name of a neighboring village, and Hesba coming from the initials of her siblings. She wrote Jessica's First Prayer in 1867, which became one of her most beloved stories. It sold very well and was translated into many languages. Other best sellers were Little Meg's Children and Alone in London. She was familiar with the troubles of street children whom she visited and helped. She wrote over 60 books and stories.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A powerful Victorian message that rings true today,
This review is from: Jessica's First Prayer (Rare Collector's Series) (Hardcover)
Do not be mislead by the beautiful typeface and paper of this book - this popular Victorian story had an unsettling message when it was first published in the 1860's and its message is just as powerful today. How does one explain to a hungry and cold child, living by their own wits on the street, that God cares when they pray and that the message of the Gospel is for everyone? What does it mean for a minister to be a servant of God? Is our faith something to be worn for Sunday or integrated into our daily lives and identities? As magazine editor, Charles Dickens was the first to publish Hesba Stretton's or Sarah Small's (her real name) work. She became a popular and well-loved Victorian novelist, Jessica's Prayer sold over 500,000 copies. A slim book, it raises many of the same theological and social questions found in George Eliot's Silas Marner and Adam Bede and Charles Dickens' a Christmas Carol. This story would make an excellent gift for a child aged seven or older; for a person of any age, who was exploring Christianity and prayer; for clergy reflecting on their vocations; and for people curious about Victorian London, and the life of a street urchin.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent challenging read,
This review is from: Jessica's First Prayer (Rare Collector's Series) (Hardcover)
When I read this book aloud to my children I was challenged as well. It is very well written and has layers of meaning....something modern writings do not generally possess. The value of good character building is infused in "Jessica's First Prayer". We cannot wait to read the sequel...The Rescue of Jessica's Mother on London Bridge.
A VERY worthy read!!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting link with a 140 year old children's story.,
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This review is from: Jessica's First Prayer (Dodo Press) (Paperback)
This book has interesting personal links for me because like the author, I also * am interested in writing children's stories * write from a Christian perspective with a view to teaching Christian truth * share the same surname (although I know hers is a nom-de-plume). The style of writing back in 1867 seems somewhat heavy and formal for children compared with our approaches today. But I still felt the passion in this story and my interest was held throughout. The author's writings were obviously very popular in their day (the purchased book, Jessica's Prayer, alone sold over 1 1/2 million copies), and very much in tune with those times. The delightful cover picture, however, intrigues me and I would still like to know its origin and intention. It seems to be out of keeping with the story's setting of poverty. While of suitably reflective mood and with its mainly soft colourings (but with rich touches too), is the picture meant to portray Jessica, who is referred to in the story as 'a child', and 'a little girl in rags' ? Or perhaps it's a copy of the memorial window to Hesba Stretton in the church of St Laurence in Church Stretton, UK, that I have read of?
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