Books with author Henry van Dyke

The Spirit of Christmas is a set of short stories, prayers and sermons from the writer, teacher and churchman Henry van Dyke Jr. A superb and inspiring selection of festive wisdom and Christian tales from the heart, this book offers the spiritually-minded reader a set of reflections and tales for the festive period. Designed as a ready reference text, we find here an inspiring and meaningful selection of wisdom that shows us the true spirit of Christmas, and how the season can be a time not merely of giving, but of deepening the spiritual life. At first glance, this book is simply a set of spiritual poems with a general theme of Christmas time and celebration. However, read on a deeper level we find lessons of kindness, compassion, honesty and other virtues, told through the life and spirit of Jesus Christ. Attaining a joyful life surrounded by those whom we love and cherish, and practicing the Christian deeds to those we encounter, are among the lessons told in this text. With this collection of poetry and sermons, Dyke aims and succeeds in showing the Christian reader what Christmas is truly about. As a man who spent decades lecturing and teaching others from the pulpit and the pages of his many books, Henry van Dyke's wisdom has a timelessness which renders this a text worthy of consultation in the present day.

Henry Jackson van Dyke (November 10, 1852 – April 10, 1933) was an American author, educator, and clergyman Henry van Dyke was born on November 10, 1852, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School in 1869, Princeton University, in 1873 and from Princeton Theological Seminary, 1877. He served as a professor of English literature at Princeton between 1899 and 1923. Van Dyke chaired the committee that wrote the first Presbyterian printed liturgy, The Book of Common Worship of 1906. In 1908–09 Dr. van Dyke was a lecturer at the University of Paris.By appointment of President Woodrow Wilson, a friend and former classmate of van Dyke, he became Minister to the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 1913. Shortly after his appointment, World War I threw Europe into dismay. Americans all around Europe rushed to Holland as a place of refuge. Although inexperienced as an ambassador, van Dyke conducted himself with the skill of a trained diplomat, maintaining the rights of Americans in Europe and organizing work for their relief. He later related his experiences and perceptions in the book Pro Patria (1921). Van Dyke resigned as ambassador at the beginning of December 1916 and returned to the United States. He was subsequently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and received many other honors. Van Dyke was a friend of Helen Keller. Keller writes, "Dr. van Dyke is the kind of a friend to have when one is up against a difficult problem. He will take trouble, days and nights of trouble, if it is for somebody else or for some cause he is interested in. 'I'm not an optimist,' says Dr. van Dyke, 'there's too much evil in the world and in me. Nor am I a pessimist; there is too much good in the world and in God. So I am just a meliorist, believing that He wills to make the world better, and trying to do my bit to help and wishing that it were more.'" He died on April 10, 1933. A biography of Van Dyke, titled Henry Van Dyke: A Biography, was written by his son Tertius van Dyke and published in 1935.

he story tells of how Prince Gregor, and his hero, the daring Winfried of England, journey through treacherous land to reach the heathen people of the forest on Christmas eve. When they arrive, Winfried rescues the heathen from an unspeakable evil, destroys the great oak tree where they worshiped their false god, and points to a young fir tree, "the tree of the Christ-child," as the people's new sign of worship, symbolizing laughter, songs, and rites of love.

David Pelzer is a child taken into the foster care system at age twelve, though he had spent years being tortured and tormented by his mother. David is one of five sons and there's no real indication why he was singled out for his mother's attention. David's father is present during his early years, though he wants peace in his household at any cost-even if it means David is being beaten and tormented. David's torment ranges from emotional to physical. David says that his mother is "playing a game," and that the key to his survival is to play by her rules. For example, she pulls on his ear but he isn't allowed to flinch. Jerking away from her earns David another slap. As is typical of many abused children, David seeks his mother's approval despite the abuse. When he's nine, his mother kicks him out of the house.

Excerpt from Out-of-Doors in the Holy Land: Impressions of Travel in Body and SpiritFor a long time, in the hopefulness and confidence of youth, I dreamed of going to Palestine. But that dream was denied, for want of money and leisure.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Van Dyke's Christmas story about a mansion that speaks "not of money squandered but of wealth prudently applied" - the companion story to The Other Wise Man. Henry van Dyke (1852B1933) was an American clergyman, educator, and author. He graduated from Princeton in 1873, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1874. He was pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, New York City (1883B99), professor of English literature at Princeton (1899B1923), and U.S. minister to the Netherlands (1913B16). Among his popular inspirational writings is the Christmas story The Other Wise Man (1896). As President Wilson's ambassador to the Netherlands from 1913, Van Dyke was a first-hand witness to the outbreak of World War I and its progress, and was a key player in the President's diplomatic efforts to keep the U.S. out of the conflict.

Henry Van Dyke's classic tale of the young Jesus Christ's visit to the temple during Passover has captured the imagination of generations of young readers. Van Dyke creates a compelling, believable tapestry of characters and experiences for the young Jesus--just a boy, loved by his parents, and still learning the lessons he would one day teach all mankind. Christians of all ages will enjoy this warm and loving portrayal, and remember it always. Henry Van Dyke was an American author, professor, and clergyman. He taught English Literature at Princeton for nearly 25 years, and served as minister to Belgium and the Netherlands at the beginning of World War I. His many Christian writings include Christmas stories, essays, and the lyrics to "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee."