Books in Pocket Moral Stories series

Roger Read kept alert for a “chance” or an opportunity of an available job because his grandfather told him: “Never lose a chance,” and “Earn your dinner before you eat it.” After Jack Sparling told Roger not to miss the chance to go to heaven; Roger began seeking spiritual chances as well as employment chances. Roger’s story is about growing successful spiritually, professionally and personally.

Mrs. Simpson believed that “the honor of God was dearer to her than her own credit, and her chief desire was to turn all events to his glory.” And also “her chief care was to convince herself and others, that however great might be her sufferings, and however little they could be accounted for at present, yet that the Judge of all the earth could not but do right.” Betty, her friend, simply gave up hope over tragedies. The moral is to trust in God’s providence. An important verse is Psalm 118:23—“This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Vanity, worldly possessions and the pride of life are the substance of Esther’s life. She was “fond of dress” and a yielding mother left this passion unchecked. Consequently she taunted her brother and drove him away from home. Then Esther left home in a fit of anger. “The foundation of all this trouble that had come, not only upon Esther but upon her family, had its root in this—to seem what they were not.”—Esther’s Regret.

Christmas Williams was well respected in his town, but he despised the new prayer meetings, psalm-singing and talk of a Savior. When Christmas’ daughter, Easter, believed in Jesus as her Savior he threw her out of the house and promised never to talk with her again. She became married and had a son, but he kept his word and did not speak to them. The story continues and Christmas must be a “man of his word.” When “keeping his word” becomes hypocritical, pride and reputation are seen for what they are in God’s sight.

Fourteen year old Essie was proud and envious and she often compared herself to her schoolmates. But when she visited relatives she was given helpful advice: “If you go out into life with all these earnest aspirings centering in self, you will be only one of the many ambitious, whose lives prove but failures. If, dear Essie, you are willing to take into your heart a higher motive, and the Name above all others, then you will find rest yourself, and bring it to others. Is not this what you want?”

Ten year old Tom Page found trouble very easily. When he ran away from angry boys he became lost and examined his ways. Tom’s heart changed and turned to God. “Duty is Safety: let a child act dutifully, that is, in obedience to the will of his parents, and masters and he is on the way of safety—let him go against their will and he makes to himself as many foes as he has acquaintances.” Also included is the story of “Betsy Bartlett.” Fourteen year old Betsy could not bear being found fault with, and she had a bad temper. She took a job as a nursemaid, and when corrected in her duties, she started to cry. She was given good advice: “Ask for God’s help and put your trust in him alone.” “Pray for grace to look upon the favor of your heavenly Father as the chief end in all you do.”

Jack Ward was an orphaned twelve year old who was raised by Mr. Martin. The circus came to town and Mr. Martin sold Jack to the circus men. After many years of this unhealthy lifestyle, Jack recovered in the hospital and his rebellious spirt was softened by God. As the book states: “If any of my readers come to the same determination that Sally made, which was, never to encourage amusements of a sinful nature, or such as are afforded at the expense of danger and suffering to others, Aunt Fanny will not have related the story of “Slim Jack” in vain.”