by Hannah Hurnnard
A True Depiction of the Christian Walk
This book is a powerful allegory depicting the Christian life. This book is a lot like Pilgrim's Progress. As a matter of fact, the author was greatly influenced by Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.
The story is about a girl named "Much-Afraid" who lives in the "Valley of Humiliation" who has a crooked mouth and crooked feet. Even though she is a member of the "Fearings" family, she loves the Shepherd with all of her heart and desires to be in His service. She longs to have "hind's feet" and "leap upon the high places". She also loves the Shepard and desires to be with and be one of his servants. The Shepard knowing her desire to be with him, agrees to give her hinds feet and take her to the high places on one condition - he must place the thorn-like seed of love in her heart.
As a member of the Fearing family, plans were under way for her to marry "Craven Fear", who also happened to be her cousin. However, since Much-Afraid has fallen in love with the Shepherd, she no longer desires the things her family members desire. She absolutely does not want to have anything to do with her family nor is she interested in marrying "Craven-Fear". All she wants is to follow the Shepherd to the high places.
The Shepherd grants her request and sends her on the journey to high places. He also sends along two companions to help her along the journey, they are to follow her all the days of her journey to the high places. Who are these companions? They are not goodness and mercy, but the very ones whom they Bible tells us will help to build patience and character in our lives as we serve Christ.
Along the way, "Much-Afraid" builds a lot of altars where she sacrifices her own will and takes up the Shepherd's will.
Through much suffering and enduring, storms, ridicule from loved ones and going through deserts, valleys and pit falls, "Much-Afraid" and her two companions finally reach the high places where their names are changed and they are transformed. Although the journey to the high places was rough and tempestuous and sometimes very scary, the shepherd was always a call away.
This is an awesome book that does not paint a rosy "name it and claim it" picture of following Christ, but accurately depicts what it means to follow Christ. To be a true follower of Christ, you have to do what Jesus said to do, which is deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him. This book will make a great addition to your Christian library.
It is sad to note that towards the end of her life, the author of this book Hannah Hurnnard wandered away from the Christian faith into the "New Age" movement. As one raised in a Christian home, it seems she knew about Christ, but never really knew Him. Very sad indeed.
Reading level 10 and up.
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