In Answer to Prayer

Quarrier, William, 1829-1903Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 109K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.In Answer to Prayer by Carpenter, Cuyler, Knox-Little, Maclaren, and QuarrierAuthor: Quarrier, William, 1829-1903,Language: English, Class: BV: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: Practical theology, Worship, Release Date: Sep 21, 2011

Editor's review

This book is a late nineteenth-century collection of essays on prayer by several British and American Christian preachers, co-authored by Quarrier and others, belonging to the literature of practical theology and worship. Its value lies not in rigorous systematic theological argument but in presenting, in sermon-like prose, the place of prayer in believers' daily lives: how to petition, how to wait, how to hold fast to faith in adversity. The writing carries the solemnity and earnestness of Victorian religious writing, with examples drawn largely from pastoral experience and biblical narrative; it suits devotional reading or as supporting material for sermon preparation. For readers studying nineteenth-century English-language practical theology, it also offers a tangible textual sample. It is best read slowly, one piece at a time, reflected on in light of one's own circumstances, rather than straight through. Because the language is English and the book is early, its syntax and vocabulary are somewhat distant from contemporary readers; reading alongside the relevant biblical passages is recommended.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a Christian background who wish to deepen their prayer practice
Pastors and church workers needing sermon material or devotional short pieces
Scholars and students of nineteenth-century English religious writing and practical theology
General readers with good English reading ability who prefer classical religious prose

Not a good fit for

Serious researchers seeking systematic theology textbooks or academic argument
Readers uninterested in religious content who only want history
Those with weak English who find nineteenth-century English prose difficult

Reading tips

Read one piece at a time, leaving a few minutes afterward for quiet reflection and notes.
Keep a Bible at hand and check the context of cited verses for a fuller understanding.
Skim the table of contents first and pick themes close to your own situation; order does not matter.
If preparing a sermon, copy key sentences and note related passages that could be developed.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book by a single author or a multi-author collection?

According to the source, the book consists of pieces by several authors, including Carpenter, Keller, Knox-Little, Maclaren and Quarrier, with Quarrier listed among the authors. Styles vary slightly from piece to piece, but the theme is uniformly prayer, and it can be read piece by piece independently.

How difficult is the English, and what level is needed?

Written in the late nineteenth century, it has long sentences, somewhat classical vocabulary and religious terminology. Readers with university-level English and familiarity with common biblical expressions will find it easier; if it proves hard, start with the shorter pieces or read alongside a modern translation.

Is it suitable for non-Christians?

It can be read as material for understanding nineteenth-century English religious life and the sermon style, but it assumes readers share Christian faith and has a markedly exhortatory tone. If you want neutral historical analysis or comparative study of religion, this book does not serve that purpose.

What should I note when reading the electronic edition?

This is a public-domain e-book released by Project Gutenberg, set mainly in plain text with no modern annotation or introduction. Use a reader with adjustable font and line spacing, mark the pieces yourself, and check the original when citing, since page information may be missing.

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About the author

Quarrier, William, 1829-1903 Author

William Quarrier (1829-1903) is an author about whom little biographical information survives; publicly available sources are limited, and his nationality, education, and personal history cannot be reliably established. Only one work by him is held in the collection, In Answer to Prayer. Judging from its title and subject, the book concerns prayer and its answers, placing it within devotional or testimonial religious writing. Its style is plain, focusing on concrete examples to convey faith rather than on abstract theological argument. Such writing is usually addressed to ordinary believers and stresses the practical role of prayer in daily life and in times of difficulty, giving it a certain appeal and reference value for readers of similar inclination. Because of these limitations, Quarrier's broader body of work, intellectual development, and historical standing cannot be described in detail; only this single surviving work can be briefly introduced to readers.