Thy Sea is Great, Our Boats are Small, and Other Hymns of To-Day

Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 3.0

Word count: 12K words
Chapters: 2

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.Thy Sea is Great, Our Boats are Small, and Other Hymns of To-Day by Henry Van DykeAuthor: Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jul 5, 2013

Editor's review

This is a collection of religious poetry written in English by Henry Van Dyke, a public-domain ebook prepared and released by Project Gutenberg. Its value lies not in systematic theological argument but in presenting faith and everyday devotional experience in the form of hymns. Van Dyke was both a pastor and a literary writer; his verses generally have a steady rhythm and clear imagery, suited to slow reading in quiet moments. The title draws on a seafaring metaphor, suggesting humanity's humble place amid the vast ocean of faith and life, a theme that runs through many of the poems. For researchers, the book can serve as a sample of American religious poetry and the hymn tradition from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century; for general readers, it is more like a small devotional volume to dip into. Note that this is the original English text and bears the formatting features of a public-domain ebook; it is best read poem by poem rather than in one sitting.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in English religious poetry and the hymn tradition
Readers seeking quiet devotional material who prefer short poems
Scholars studying the relationship between literature and faith in late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century America
Language learners who wish to practice reading rhythm with short English poems

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking a systematic study of theological doctrine or church history
Readers who need a Chinese translation and are not used to reading original English poems
General readers looking for plot-driven narrative or long-form argument

Reading tips

Read one or two poems at a time: first read through once, then read aloud once to feel the rhythm and wording.
Read during a quiet morning or bedtime period; there is no need to go through the whole book in order.
When recurring seafaring and ocean imagery appears, jot it down and observe how it shifts from poem to poem.
For research, learn first about Van Dyke's role as a pastor and the hymn background of his era before entering the text.

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 in Chinese or English?

The book is the original English text, released by Project Gutenberg as a public-domain ebook; no information on a Chinese translation is provided. Basic English reading ability is needed. The diction of the poems is generally not obscure, but religious vocabulary may require looking words up.

Can I read this poetry collection without a religious background?

Yes. The poems focus on faith, emotion, and life experience rather than serving as a doctrinal manual. Readers without a religious background can enter through themes such as the seafaring metaphor, humility, and hope, though some religious vocabulary will need notes or a dictionary.

Is it suitable for reading in one sitting?

Not really. This is a collection of hymns; though not long, reading it straight through can be tiring. It is better to read poem by poem, one or two at a time, leaving time to reflect and meditate, which gives a fuller reading experience.

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933 Author

Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933) was an American author best known for his essays and Christmas stories. Public information about him is limited, and the details of his life are not further documented in this collection. Judging from the works available here, he wrote in a clear, quietly poetic style, dealing with themes of faith, goodwill, and inner growth; his narratives are gentle and carry a strong sense of festival and reflection. The Story of the Other Wise Man, his most widely read short work, follows the journey of a fourth Magi and is often regarded as a classic of Christmas literature; The Lost Word: A Christmas Legend of Long Ago continues in this legendary vein. The Mansion uses allegory to explore life and the world to come, brief in length but lingering in meaning. The essay collection Little Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable Idleness turns to nature and leisurely pleasure in an unhurried tone, reflecting his love of outdoor life. Thirty-three of his works are held here, showing that his writing spans fiction, parable, and essay, and that he earned a place in early twentieth-century American popular and holiday reading.