Not Mine, But His by Emma S. Pratt

This lovely book was next on my books to review, and it is fitting that I post it today, Easter!

The story is about Mary, a young woman who is endeavoring to live rightly. This is a common theme in late 19^th century fiction, one reason I find these so fascinating and interesting!

One of Mary’s toughest challenges is to keep remembering that her life—according to the scriptures that she believes in—is not her own, it was bought with a price. So, she is shifting her main focus from mostly seeking after personal fun and comfort, to being more concerned with other’s needs and a closer relationship with her beloved heavenly Father.

Yes, even if it means having to live with unpleasant people!

A good prescription for learning compassion and patience is to be faced daily with a person who pushes all of your buttons and makes you crazy. This “forces” you to either chuck your admirable goals; or—day by day, by week, by month, by year—change your ways.

Enter mean, selfish, rude Dorcas Cameron.

This book was written and set in 1890. As was not uncommon at that time, parents often needed to leave children with relatives for long periods of time. Mary is hired as a governess (nanny) to take care of the young niece and nephew of wealthy Aunt Dorcas.

I won’t go into more of the plot than that. The story is filled with danger, suspense, a little romance, a big catastrophe and lots of faith.

It was a quick read, hard to put down, and inspiring. Definitely recommended (especially for youth)!

A Pleasant Surprise

In the middle of the story, an event takes place that ends up being a major turning point. Mary wants to read some poems to her young charges at bedtime, however she had left the book in the Aunt’s room. As she retrieves it, the prickly Aunt Dorcas asks what the book is about, and then shocks Mary by asking her to read to her.

To my delight, it was a book of poems by Francis Ridley Havergal, one of my favorite poets! Here are the first and last verses of the poem that is included in the book:

Made for Thyself, O God! Made for Thy love, Thy service, Thy delight; Made to show forth Thy wisdom, grace, and might; Made for Thy praise, whom veiled archangels laud; Oh, strange arid glorious thought, that we may be A joy to Thee!

O rest, so true, so sweet! (Would it were shared by all the weary world!) ’Neath shadowing banner of His love unfurled, We bend to kiss the Master’s piercéd feet; Then lean our love upon His loving breast, And know God’s rest.’

The Easter Connection

The theme of the Not Mine, But His is stated in the quoted scripture on the title page, essentially, “The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God [out of his great love for you] paid a great price for you.” The main character uses this verse to direct her choices in life.

Similarly, Jesus came to earth not to do whatever he wanted, but to do the will of his Father, God. And God’s will was to make a way to be in a loving relationship with the human race again, as it had been in the beginning.

Happy Easter!