A Man of His Word by Hesba Stretton

Christmas Williams was well respected in his town, but he despised the new prayer meetings, psalm-singing and talk of a Savior. When Christmas' daughter, Easter, believed in Jesus as her Savior he threw her out of the house and promised never to talk with her again. She became married and had a son, but he kept his word and did not speak to them. The story continues and Christmas must be a "man of his word." When "keeping his word" becomes hypocritical, pride and reputation are seen for what they are in God's sight.

Paperback 4X6, 90 pages; ISBN 9781941281192; Pocket Moral Stories

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. In the March 19th, 1859 issue of Household Words, a publication conducted by Charles Dickens, she published her first short story called The Lucky Leg. It is an intriguing story about a man who wanted to marry a woman with a missing leg. It was more secular, but her talent was recognized. Hesba Stretton became her pen name, Stretton coming from the name of a neighboring village, and Hesba coming from the initials of her siblings. H (Hannah or some sources Harriett), E (Elizabeth), S (Sarah), B (Benjamin), and A (Annie).