Jessica's First Prayer

Jessica #1

by Hesba Stretton

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...

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, Childrens, Christianity

84 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1867

About the author

Hesba Stretton (1832-1911) was the nom de plume of Sarah Smith, an English author of children's literature. The name Hesba came from the initials of her siblings. She was the daughter of a bookseller from Wellington, Shropshire, but around 1867 she moved south and lived at Snaresbrook and Loughton near Epping Forest and at Ham, near Richmond, Surrey. Her moral tales and semi-religious stories, chiefly for the young, were printed in huge quantities, and were especially widespread as school and Sunday school prizes. She won wide acceptance in English homes from the publication of Jessica's First Prayer in 1867. She was a regular contributor to Household Words and All the Year Round during Charles Dickens' editorship, and wrote upwards of 40 novels.

Reviews

[Hailey (Hailey in Bookland)]

*Read for school*

[Elizabeth Dragina]

I've listened to this numerous times with my family. It really is a touching story.

**The ending though** 😭😍

[Katja Labonté]

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This is a lovely little story set in 1860s London, reminding me a little of A Little Princess at the beginning. The writing style is similar to Alcott, very lovely. The characters are Jessica, a little street beggar abused by her drunken mother; Daniel, a pew-opener and coffee stall owner hoarding money; and a widowed minister and his two daughters. I loved the additional messages of everyone being able to go to God and come to church! Jessica was a very sweet little thing and I was very inspired by her transparent love for God and deep faith in Him. The minister was a lovely man, although I feel that he spent too much time speaking pretty words and hardly any dispensing real food to his flock. Daniel was an interesting character, harsh but kind, and his arc was really very good.

Overall, this was a slow, gentle-paced book, with a simple message: what will it take to make Daniel find God instead of religion? When will souls become more important than money?

A Favourite Quote: “...the questions this poor little creature has asked me have gone quicker and deeper down to my conscience than all your sermons, if I may make so free as to say it. She’s come often and often of a morning, and looked into my face with those clear eyes of hers, and said, ‘Don’t you love Jesus Christ, Mr. Daniel?’ ‘Doesn’t it make you very glad that God is your Father, Mr. Daniel?’ ‘Are we getting nearer heaven every day, Mr. Daniel?’

[Karen]

We have listened to the audio by Lamplighter theatre which combines "Jessica's First Prayer" and "Jessica's Mother" with the kids and we all loved it! 2014 5 stars.

I am looking forward to reading this with Hailey. (I am also going to read to my kiddo's but keep a separate book mark for them....I won't be able to stop reading after they go to sleep :) So looking forward to see any changes there might be from the book to the audio. 3/6/15

Finished the book (couldn't stop reading it so I will need to reread with my kiddos). The copy I have has Jessica's First Prayer and Jessica's Mother in one book. So I have started Jessica's Mother. Already I have noticed differences in the book and audio. Daniel already has the job at the Church in the book but not in the audio. 3/8/15

[Abigail Rasmussen]

I first read this book when I was 9 years old. My Mom has read it aloud at least twice since then, and I have read it one or two more times to myself since the first time as well.

This book is a good book to go along with family or individual daily devotions. I highly recommend you read this book many times.

[Evelynn]

I remember reading the original books that this audio drama is based off of a long time ago, but I didn't remember much of the story line. It was beautiful the way Lamplighter Theatre brought it to life.

[Kaitlyn S.]

A precious story!

[Kenny Parnell]

Simple story with short chapters. Good for lunch time reading with the kids. It had me choked up at the end. A very clean example of chasing after the world and risking losing your very soul in the process.

[Hailey White]

The simplicity combined with the moral lessons made for a huge impact. I am thankful to have read this alone, allowing me to process my emotions and thoughts, yet I look forward to reading it aloud to my children. Beautiful book.

[Sydney]

My review is more like 4.5. I love all the lamplighter theatre, And once again they did a great job.

[Sally]

for school

[Chloe W]

Such a delightful story! Jessica's prayers touched my heart with their simplicity and genuine faith in the power of God. Highly recommend!

[Theresa Stinnett]

This was a sad but sweet story. I can't say I'm a big fan of stories with half sad half happy endings, they kind of leave me screaming "WHY???" But even so, I did enjoy this book. It centers around a little girl, her first introduction to Christianity, her first prayers, and the hearts she affects through her many, innocent and guileless questions. The book is full of good lessons and you end up falling in love with the characters. That's why the ending is so heart rending! I really did feel for the characters in this book.

[Emma Grace]

My reading life has been pretty slow the past two weeks or so. Between going out if town with my family, writing (that typically doesn't take away from reading, but this time I,like, only wrote and didn't think about reading!...*blushes*) and just life, my reading life can to a slow halt. Since I haven't read much lately I decided to go with a short book. This was a reread I have not read in forever. It's a very sweet story.

[Madeline Stone]

I read this book too long ago to remember it very well, but it wasn't a favorite.

[Bridget]

A good book. It is rather juvenile in its descriptions. The moral of the story is great though!

[Teresa Thurin]

loved it!

[Abigail]

This book is a little sad but very good.
Also has a good lesson to learn.

[Eryn]

Although this book was a very quick read, the story was excellent, as was the sequel, Jessica's Mother.

[Rebekah]

Quick read with some basic biblical principles. I would recommend this for adults and children.

[Stephanie]

Simple read, but some super interesting things going on, especially in regards to The Church, and the underclass.

[Chrissy]

A great children's story!

[Bungle Boo Reads]

One for my MA course in Children's Lit. Rather enjoyed the human element of this story & how the characters developed over time.

[Karen]

Listened to this audio a couple of years ago. We all loved it. One worth listening to over and over. Deals with alcoholism, abuse, and neglect..krb 7/25/16

[Emily]

Allowed itself to be much more realistic about life in general and the plight of Jessica than these books usually do. I'm looking for the sequel.

[Genia]

Excellent story of redemption.

[I'm Daria]

Mi-a plăcut traducerea acesti cărţi, cât şi adaptarea la

ortodoxie şi la românism. Cred că traducătoarea ar fi

putut să pună acţiunea în cadrul Bisericii Ortodoxe -mă

bucură că referinţele din Biblie sunt ortodoxe, dar şi aşa, a reuşit să transmită mesajul plin de emoţie şi lumină care se înfiripă în inima unui om pocăit. Întrebările puse de un copil care vrea să-l cunoască pe Dumnezeu reuşesc să pătrundă în adâncul conştiinţei unui om cu sufletul împietrit. Conştiinţa acestuia se activează atunci când primeşte întrebări atât de simple, dar profunde în acelaşi timp. Când Jessica, fetița sărmană şi plină de dragoste, îi pune întrebarea nevinovată: "O să Îi daţi toţi banii lui Dumnezeu, domnule Daniel?", bărbatul rămâne pe gânduri, fără să-i găsească un răspuns imediat.

O poveste despre flacăra arzătoare a dragostei în viața omului, despre nevoia de acesta, despre pocăinţă, iertare, compasiune şi întrajutorare.

MERITĂ CITITĂ!!🤗

(4,8*)⭐️

[Hugh A. Buchanan]

Written for adolescents around the turn of the twentieth century, Stretton brings a touching tale of a young destitute girl in London in the late 1800's and her impact upon a churchman. The story continues to be relevant as it depicts the nature of people, the penchant to become kind to others, facing ones own failures and the place of religion and God in the culture.

I found it among some old books in my basement and discovered it belonged to an aging cousin of mine. I think it will bring some comfort for him to know it is still in the family and valued.

[Ed Lake]

This novel, first published in 1897, is about a young girl named Jessica who comes from a difficult family background, yet is helped by a Christian man. Jessica begins attending church and starts understanding who God is and what it means to follow Him. Not only is Jessica impacted by her introduction to the church, but many individuals are impacted through her as well.

Here is the free ebook (This novel is not under copyright) and a free study guide.
https://anabaptisteducationtoday.word...

[Monica Lit]

Sweet story of prayer, and looking beyond someone's outward appearance to show them the love and care of Jesus.