Broken Earthenware by Harold Begbie
Broken Earthenware by Harold Begbie. This is the “Popular Edition” published by Hodder & Stoughton in London and is undated. This book comes with a photocopy reproduction dust jacket.
The American edition of this book was published under the name Twice Born Men: A Clinic in Regeneration and was published in 1909 by Fleming H. Revell Company.
This book is dedicated to Professor William James, the author of The Varieties of Religious Experience.
—
Broken Earthenware by Harold Begbie
A FOOTNOTE IN NARRATIVE TO PROFESSOR WILLIAM JAMES'S STUDY IN HUMAN NATURE "THE VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE"
"I might as well call my book a footnote to his. I am proud of the dedication and of the references, and I wish the book a great success." —Professor William James.
"Read a book called 'Broken Earthenware?... Your sceptical friend has got to answer this."—The Bishop of London.
"In 'Broken Earthenware' Mr. Harold Begbie has written a wonderful and convincing book. . . . It is only religion that is not in despair about this mass of profitless at the heels of progress-the religion which still believes in miracle that can be of any avail.' - Daily Chronicle.
"There is remarkable skill and pathos in Mr. Harold Begbie's stories of reclaimed prodigals. ... Mr. Begbie draws us pictures of the under-world which may well stir our consciences and make us shudder; but pictures also of the gallantry and saintliness of the devoted men and heroic women who fight the good fight in this stricken field. All this is admirable, and we would gladly see this book in the hands of the indifferent and comfortable rich. The moralists tell us that no one ever suddenly became very base, but Mr. Begbie would have us believe that under the influence of religion a man or woman may suddenly become very good. Well, we hope it, but in some ways it is a rather disturbing doctrine."-The Westminster Gazette.
—
About this book:
In 1909 psychologist Harold Begbie goes into a small slum district of London to conduct a research project. Inspired by a book, The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James, Professor of Philosophy at Harvard, Mr. Begbie wants to bring a companion book to James' book to describe the psychological effects of Christian conversion in the "lowest of the low" of the inhabitants of this small section of London. The Salvation Army was in the earliest stages of its work and Mr. Begbie enlists their help in finding his subjects. He presents the life stories of nine of the worst drunkards and criminals who had drastic life reformations after walking up to the "penitent form" at the front of a Salvation Army meeting hall. He concludes his study by saying, "When I visit the happy homes and experience the gentleness, kindness and refinement of such people as those whose life-stories appear in this book, and compare them with the squalor and misery of the great majority of homes surrounding them, I am astonished that the world should be so incredulous about religion, and that legislation should be so foolish as to attempt to do laboriously by enactments, clumsy and slow, what might be done instantly and easily by religion, if it had the full force of the community at its back."
—
This book is in very good condition. There is some light wear to the cover. There is no writing or markings in the book.
Please view all of the photos for the conditions.
