The Hidden Hand by E.D.E.N. Southworth

I have finished reading The Hidden Hand by Mrs. Southworth and I can say that it is easily one of the best books I have ever read. The book was originally a serial in the New York Ledger and then first published in book form in 1888. It was one of Mrs. Southworth's most popular books. The E.D.E.N. in her name stands for Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte if you are wondering. I won't go into a lot about her.

There were a lot of words that I needed to look up in a dictionary to see what they meant because of the era the book was written. Even so, reading flowed nicely.

I think the book is a treasure. The characters are wonderfully memorable and the adventures, joys and tragedies of their lives and how they connect to one another made it a book I could not put down. I was drawn into the unfolding drama in a powerful way. There was a thread through the book of most of the characters faith in an Almighty God and His sovereign control over even the most disastrous events in their lives and a deep faith that He is good through it all.

I liked that very much as I have in my own life had nothing to hang onto except that I know that God is in control of everything. He is the creator and sustainer of all things and never loses track of little old me! The Hidden Hand, of course, is God's hand moving in their lives. The word Providence was used a lot.

Wayne Grudem, in his book, Systematic Theology, defines God's providence as follows: God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1)keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes.

There is an exchange between two of the women in the story that really touched me so I will share it here. The younger was watching her father die due to an accident and an older friend was comforting her in her grief:

pg. 217 - Then she(Clara) arose and left the room, saying to Mrs. Rocke as she went: "Oh, Mrs. Rocke, only last evening we were so happy! - But if we have received good things at the hand of God, why should we not receive evil?"

"Yes, my child; but remember, nothing is really evil that comes from His good hand," as she attended Clara to the door.

Now that is difficult to ponder, is it not?

Later on the father died and the author does not dwell on that for she writes, "Sweet, beautiful, and lovely as is the deathbed of a Christian, we will not linger too long beside it." pg. 222.

I don't think I have ever seen those adjectives used in a sentence with the word deathbed! But it is so true of the Christian who goes home to with their Savior!

Please read in the Bible Romans chapter 5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

I think I will read another book by Mrs. Southworth.

Blessings