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Summary: The Inner Life Revealed
Review: I have noticed that many of the Quaker writers have a deep grasp of the inner life. Hannah Whitall Smith is no exception. She is perhaps one of the best of her class. If you have not read this book you are missing something important. It doesn't cost much and will challenge you more than most of the newer books that are so popular today.
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Summary: Very encouraging book
Review: I highly recommend this book. I read it while stationed in Iraq and it encouraged me very much in that situation. It is thoroughly orthodox in its theology and praxis and has nothing to do with modern "psycho-babble" as one other reviewer mistakenly suggested. The book was written over 100 years ago. If it was written today the author most likely would use the term "joyful life" in the title rather than "happy life", but it's clear that her meaning is a happiness that comes from the Lord and is not based on circumstances (which nowadays we would probably call "joy"). Mrs. Smith's secrets to the happy/joyful Christian life are: surrendering all to the Lord, trusting implicitly in the Lord, and immediate obedience to Him. Hard to be more orthodox than that. She gives many anecdotal stories to help the reader understand how much God loves us and how surrender, trust, and obedience result in our abiding more deeply in Christ and consequently having joy in all circumstances.
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Summary: The Christians Secret to a Happy Life is a Christian Classic
Review: I read it 22 years ago in my first Sunday School class after becoming a Christian. Now, I am using it to teach an adult Sunday School Class. My son, a Bible student at Criswell in Dallas has also found it to be extremely accurate doctrinally. It is an inspiring book that SHOWS us that the "deeper walk" is simply the walk God intended for His children to have in the first place. The chapters on the WILL and avoiding LEGALISM are wonderful in guiding God's children into the wonderful truth in God's Word. Serving and knowing God as H.W.S. indicates is a liberting experience! Matt 11:28-30
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Summary: One of the Devotional Classics of Christianity
Review: I've read Hannah's book twice and the chapter "Is God in Everything?" several more times. This book is thoroughly biblical, very helpful, and highly recommended for new Christians. She wisely distinguishes between internal temptations and sin (something I remember struggling with as a new Christian - and I didn't have this book, unfortunately) and shares with the greatest of Christian mystics the truth revealed in the chapter "Is God In Everything?" I put this book right up there with "Abandonment to Divine Providence" by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, "Centuries of Meditations" by Thomas Traherne, and "A Testament of Devotion" by Thomas Kelly. The latter book is another Quaker classic. - Brad Clark
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Summary: Just a closer walk...
Review: If your desire is a closer walk with the Lord, you cannot go wrong in reading this book. I truly believe Hannah Whitall Smith was led by the Spirit to write this book, in order that others might attain freedom from the power of sin, through faith. She uses analogies that are easy to understand, and makes clear what "our job" is, as integrated with what "God's job" is. This book is a must read for every Christian.
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Summary: This Book Is Alive !
Review: Just as the bible is alive, so is this book. It is a must read for anyone who seeks peace - peace that is alive, lasting and supported by a body of believers today. Please give time for this masterpiece. For a person who is starting a relationship with God, this book grounds readers on key concepts of christianity. It saves- potentially- much time and confusion especially if one was to do it on their own.
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Summary: the Christian's Secret to a Happy Life -- REALLY!
Review: Of all the devotional books I've read, this is BY FAR the best. God has clearly spoken to us through this gentle woman from the last century. If I was allowed only two books to have, they would be the Bible and this book. Read it and be blessed!
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Summary: A Christian Classic
Review: Smith has written a classic that will continue to bless long after her passing. The book is divided into three main parts:
1. The Life (how to enter into the Christ life).
2. Difficulties concerning: faith, the will, guidance, doubts, temptation, failures).
3. Results of the Christ-life (growth, service, joy of obedience, practical results in everyday life, etc.).
Written by a Quaker, the book will encourage Christians of all denominations. Read, enjoy, and be encouraged in the Lord.
Highly recommended!
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Summary: Very encouraging book
Review: This book has been blessing people for 130 years - there is a reason for that. The reason this book is so great is that it focuses upon the only 2 essential practices for Christian growth and strength: Surrender and Faith. Everything in the book teaches us how to maintain absolute surrender to and total trust in God, how to overcome difficulties so that faith and trust remain steadfast, all mingled with many words of encouragement telling of the peace and joy such a life produces.The one negative review in this list claims the book is terrible because we should seek holiness, not happiness. Clearly 100% surrender to God's will and 100% faith in God are holiness defined - and that expresses the entire thrust of the book. It is very unlikely that reviewer even read the book beyond the title - ignore them. Jesus wants our joy to be full, He tells us steps to take "so that your joy may be full"....but we better not tell this lone reviewer that Jesus recommends we seek joy - they might give HIM a bad review! Do what this book says to do and find God waiting there to bless you abundantly with Christ-likeness.....with the natural result being great happiness! I agree with what one review said, if I had to choose only 2 books, they would be the Bible and The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life.
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Summary: Simply the best!
Review: This book has been blessing people for 130 years - there is a reason for that. The reason this book is so great is that it focuses upon the only 2 essential practices for Christian growth and strength: Surrender and Faith. Everything in the book teaches us how to maintain absolute surrender to and total trust in God, how to overcome difficulties so that faith and trust remain steadfast, all mingled with many words of encouragement telling of the peace and joy such a life produces. The one negative review in this list claims the book is terrible because we should seek holiness, not happiness. Clearly 100% surrender to God's will and 100% faith in God are holiness defined - and that expresses the entire thrust of the book. It is very unlikely that reviewer even read the book beyond the title - ignore them. Jesus wants our joy to be full, He tells us steps to take "so that your joy may be full"....but we better not tell this lone reviewer that Jesus recommends we seek joy - they might give HIM a bad review! Do what this book says to do and find God waiting there to bless you abundantly with Christ-likeness.....with the natural result being great happiness! I agree with what one review said, if I had to choose only 2 books, they would be the Bible and The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life.
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