What do you think?
Rate this book
The Helper
One of America's best loved authors has written a new book filled with inspiration and practical guidance that will help millions overcome the challenges and complexities of our troubled times. In The Helper, Catherine Marshall clarifies the identity of the most mysterious member of the Trinity- the Holy Ghost- and shows why He is a very real and powerful presence that we can learn to utilize in daily life.
191 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 1978
43 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Marshall
196 books1,029 followersMarshall was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was the daughter of the Reverend John Ambrose Wood and Leonora Whitaker Wood. From the age of nine until her graduation from high school, Marshall was raised in Keyser, West Virginia, where her father served as pastor of a Presbyterian church from 1924 to 1942.
While a junior at Agnes Scott College, she met Peter Marshall, marrying him in 1936. The couple moved to Washington, DC, where her husband served as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and Chaplain of the United States Senate.
In 1940, Marshall contracted tuberculosis, for which at that time there was no antibiotic treatment. She spent nearly three years recovering from the illness. Her husband died in 1949 of a heart attack, leaving her to care for their 9-year-old son, Peter John Marshall. He later also became a minister and author.
Marshall wrote a biography of her husband, A Man Called Peter, published in 1951. It became a nationwide success and was adapted as a film of the same name, released in 1955. Her success encouraged her to keep writing.
Marshall wrote or edited more than 30 books, which have sold over 16 million copies.[citation needed] They include edited collections of Peter Marshall's sermons and prayers, and her own inspirational writings. Her most successful books were A Man Called Peter (1951); and her novel, Christy (1967), which was inspired by the story of her mother's time in the mountains teaching the impoverished children of Appalachia. Christy was adapted as a CBS television series, starring Kellie Martin, beginning in 1994.
In 1959, Marshall married Leonard LeSourd, who was the editor of Guideposts Magazine for 28 years. Together they founded a book imprint, Chosen Books. They had three children, Linda, Chester and Jeffery.
Marshall died on March 18, 1983 at the age of 68. She was buried alongside her first husband.
While a junior at Agnes Scott College, she met Peter Marshall, marrying him in 1936. The couple moved to Washington, DC, where her husband served as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and Chaplain of the United States Senate.
In 1940, Marshall contracted tuberculosis, for which at that time there was no antibiotic treatment. She spent nearly three years recovering from the illness. Her husband died in 1949 of a heart attack, leaving her to care for their 9-year-old son, Peter John Marshall. He later also became a minister and author.
Marshall wrote a biography of her husband, A Man Called Peter, published in 1951. It became a nationwide success and was adapted as a film of the same name, released in 1955. Her success encouraged her to keep writing.
Marshall wrote or edited more than 30 books, which have sold over 16 million copies.[citation needed] They include edited collections of Peter Marshall's sermons and prayers, and her own inspirational writings. Her most successful books were A Man Called Peter (1951); and her novel, Christy (1967), which was inspired by the story of her mother's time in the mountains teaching the impoverished children of Appalachia. Christy was adapted as a CBS television series, starring Kellie Martin, beginning in 1994.
In 1959, Marshall married Leonard LeSourd, who was the editor of Guideposts Magazine for 28 years. Together they founded a book imprint, Chosen Books. They had three children, Linda, Chester and Jeffery.
Marshall died on March 18, 1983 at the age of 68. She was buried alongside her first husband.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 12, 2009
I discovered a strange phenomenon around two years ago when I began asking for clarifications, illumination and available studies on the Holy Spirit. It seems so little is said in the bible but what is said is powerful. Sermons never center on the Spirit. If God is a trilogy, why is so little said about the one part. Pastors and other learned Christians were reticent to give answers and provided little in the help to readings. I suggested the subject to my bible study and found a lot of fear and resistance. Do we really want to invoke the Holy Spirit who might convict us of sin? I believe God should only be feared in the sense of awe, so I waited, patiently for revelation.
The time came and we studied this beautiful book written by the wife of Peter Marshall. I had my revelation, well, many actually, but the first was on the lines of the ladder. At Pentecost, Jesus tells his followers to go to Jerusalem and wait to receive The Spirit before they ventured on his commission to spread His Word. The revelation was that I was not previously prepared to meet and greet The Spirit. Every rung of the ladder allows for the next rung and they can not be reached by sheer will.
In that sense, this book will be of little use or understanding to someone from outside of Christ and, even, someone new to his presence although Christians should know a lot more about The Spirit than they do. Can you learn more about the nature, yes, I use that word, pesonality and purpose of The Spirit. Certainly, but you will likely discount the Reality of the Spirit. Unless truly open and, inviting, you will not experience His presence and power. Catherine is not afraid to tell stories of little and large incidents where the Spirit has made Himself known and gone to work. Even three years ago I probably would have tossed the book aside and wondered how someone could believe such things in this day and age. Now, I believe without the slightest doubt.
Do I recommed this book to my many non-beleiver friends. I sure do but expect it might teach you more about where I am today than to transform into living word.
Someone who doesn't know The Father or the Son will have little use in trying to know The Spirit who was sent by the Son to take His place here on earth when he ascended.
Peace.
The time came and we studied this beautiful book written by the wife of Peter Marshall. I had my revelation, well, many actually, but the first was on the lines of the ladder. At Pentecost, Jesus tells his followers to go to Jerusalem and wait to receive The Spirit before they ventured on his commission to spread His Word. The revelation was that I was not previously prepared to meet and greet The Spirit. Every rung of the ladder allows for the next rung and they can not be reached by sheer will.
In that sense, this book will be of little use or understanding to someone from outside of Christ and, even, someone new to his presence although Christians should know a lot more about The Spirit than they do. Can you learn more about the nature, yes, I use that word, pesonality and purpose of The Spirit. Certainly, but you will likely discount the Reality of the Spirit. Unless truly open and, inviting, you will not experience His presence and power. Catherine is not afraid to tell stories of little and large incidents where the Spirit has made Himself known and gone to work. Even three years ago I probably would have tossed the book aside and wondered how someone could believe such things in this day and age. Now, I believe without the slightest doubt.
Do I recommed this book to my many non-beleiver friends. I sure do but expect it might teach you more about where I am today than to transform into living word.
Someone who doesn't know The Father or the Son will have little use in trying to know The Spirit who was sent by the Son to take His place here on earth when he ascended.
Peace.
February 10, 2014
The Helper is an excellent guide to understanding the true nature of the Holy Spirit. I have always seem the Holy Spirit as a concept and not a person. The Helper has helped me begin a path to learn who He is and seek His guidance. I recommend reading this book as a devotional and refrerencing the pages she refers to as a study on this topic.
September 12, 2015
I actually would like to give 5 1/2 stars, excellent read...so many things I had not considered. The only thing that was mildly distracting was the dated references. They were amusing in some aspect, but still mildly annoying, while reiterating the point of timelessness when referring to things of God, which were not dated at all.
Best parts...p. 18 wealthy father
P. 35 para2, truth of amazing
P. 113, 114 first to last
P. 125 free vs slave
P. 135 not self
P.178 vitality-energy
Best parts...p. 18 wealthy father
P. 35 para2, truth of amazing
P. 113, 114 first to last
P. 125 free vs slave
P. 135 not self
P.178 vitality-energy
October 16, 2013
Love this book, and you can get it on-line for $.01! I love that she backs up all she writes with quotes from scripture. I want to start a bible study using this book. I hope I get some people to show up at church to also enjoy Ms. Marshall's perspective on the Holy Spirit.
December 20, 2014
Another extremely impactful book for me by Marshall. Her writing style and content resonates greatly with me. If you are wanting to deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit, it is a must read.
September 16, 2023
I first read Catherine Marshall back in the 1970s. Her books were such an influence on me in coming to know the Lord and then in my spiritual walk. I loved this book back then, and in rereading it, I found new insights and appreciation for her message about the Holy Spirit. Her perspective is always from a Biblical standpoint.
August 11, 2014
Wow, I don't even know where to being with my review of this book. I normally wouldn't pick up this kind of book, but I received it as a gift and felt compelled to give it a shot. Frankly, I'm amazed that I got through the thing, because I disagree with SO much of the doctrine it contains. But I decided to read it and glean from it what I could, instead of reading it and being snidely critical (granted, I still had my fair share of, "What the deuce?" moments).
Thus, in the interest of staying positive, I'll say I appreciated that the author liberally used Scripture throughout the book. Even though passages were often taken out of context, and Marshall used several different translations (always a red flag in my book [see The Purpose Driven Life]).
Okay, I'm going to stop now. I feel a rant coming on, and I simply don't have the energy for it...
Thus, in the interest of staying positive, I'll say I appreciated that the author liberally used Scripture throughout the book. Even though passages were often taken out of context, and Marshall used several different translations (always a red flag in my book [see The Purpose Driven Life]).
Okay, I'm going to stop now. I feel a rant coming on, and I simply don't have the energy for it...
March 29, 2010
This was the book my church read for it's Lenten Study this year. You could easily tell that this book had been written a while ago but it was still relevant and helped bring the Holy Spirit to the forefront. I think after reading this book instead of always assuming something is a "God moment" I'll be more likely to realize its the Holy Spirit at work.
June 19, 2012
This was a great book - I used it as a devotional. I never read so much about the Holy Spirit before and it was extremely helpful and enlightening. I will continue to use as a research book going forward - for Bible studies, retreats and introspection. I recommend this to all working on continued Christian growth.
January 3, 2014
I have been researching and studying the Holy Spirit for the last couple of years and this book was recommended to me by a friend. Some questions that I had were answered and I found the book to be interesting and inspiring.
April 8, 2008
An intorduction to the Holy Spirit and how he helps us.
July 30, 2010
LIfe was so different, not so long ago
May 9, 2011
Catherine Marshall explores the work and personality of the Holy Spirit. She brings clarity and understanding to the third person of the Trinity.
September 18, 2011
So far so good. I love her take on the person of Christ and the exciting role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
July 13, 2013
It's been so long, I don't recall a lot of specifics, but if this is the book I'm thinking of, it was very encouraging and made death (of a loved one or myself) less scary.
June 27, 2015
This book is an excellent primer on the role of the Holy Spirit. I highly recommend this book to every Christian.
June 7, 2015
Hands down one of the best devotionals written about the Holy Spirit.
May 5, 2025
Mixed feelings on this one. For one thing, it was clear very quickly that I do not have the same theology of how the Holy Spirit works as the author. This is not to say that I'm right and she's wrong, but that we believe different things and interpret the Bible differently. At times these differences led to some frustration with wording, so I was very grateful when, in Chapter 5 of Part II, Marshall quoted Moody in saying that the Holy Spirit does dwell in every believer to some extent. I do agree that there seems to be solid evidence for God giving extra helpings of the Spirit, or additional gifts, to some. He also seems to work differently in different parts of the world.
Then, in Chapter 7 of Part II, Marshall begins to share some of her own experience of sanctification. I appreciated how she showed that, while exceptional experiences can and do happen, that is maybe not the norm. She showed her journey as a slow and steady growing and changing. How the Spirit works on things one at a time, always ready to move to a new area when appropriate. She mentions that she needed repeated fillings to become the person God wanted her to be because her humanness would creep back in. I liked that a lot.
At the end of Chapter 2 in Part IV, Marshall brings out the idea of God respecting our human will (our personhood). I really valued her discussion of the idea that the Spirit does not force but works with us. So, to some extent, the amount of Him that we experience is kind of up to us. And she mentions that we can even make Him withdraw by repeated, unrepentant sin. What she is not saying is that we have to earn our salvation, but rather that our experience in our Christian life of the power of the Spirit (that we have by faith), could be more or less depending on our choices and desires.
I would not recommend this book point blank, nor do I recommend it to new believers. Part of that is due to doctrinal differences, so I would have to say that there are many things on which we do not agree and as such, cannot just give a blanket recommendation of this book. But the other thing is that, while she does a great job of putting references to so many of her statements of the Biblical source of the statement, there were several times where she'd share a conclusion she came to of what the Spirit does or how He works and would not have any sources for how she came to that conclusion. And some of those I strongly do not see Biblical evidence for, so I really wanted to be able to go read what she was reading and see where she was coming from.
There is value in this book but there are probably better ones out there. If I find any, I'll try to come back and update this review with them as recommendations.
Then, in Chapter 7 of Part II, Marshall begins to share some of her own experience of sanctification. I appreciated how she showed that, while exceptional experiences can and do happen, that is maybe not the norm. She showed her journey as a slow and steady growing and changing. How the Spirit works on things one at a time, always ready to move to a new area when appropriate. She mentions that she needed repeated fillings to become the person God wanted her to be because her humanness would creep back in. I liked that a lot.
At the end of Chapter 2 in Part IV, Marshall brings out the idea of God respecting our human will (our personhood). I really valued her discussion of the idea that the Spirit does not force but works with us. So, to some extent, the amount of Him that we experience is kind of up to us. And she mentions that we can even make Him withdraw by repeated, unrepentant sin. What she is not saying is that we have to earn our salvation, but rather that our experience in our Christian life of the power of the Spirit (that we have by faith), could be more or less depending on our choices and desires.
I would not recommend this book point blank, nor do I recommend it to new believers. Part of that is due to doctrinal differences, so I would have to say that there are many things on which we do not agree and as such, cannot just give a blanket recommendation of this book. But the other thing is that, while she does a great job of putting references to so many of her statements of the Biblical source of the statement, there were several times where she'd share a conclusion she came to of what the Spirit does or how He works and would not have any sources for how she came to that conclusion. And some of those I strongly do not see Biblical evidence for, so I really wanted to be able to go read what she was reading and see where she was coming from.
There is value in this book but there are probably better ones out there. If I find any, I'll try to come back and update this review with them as recommendations.
May 6, 2024
Mrs. Marshall presents a series of reflections on the Holy Spirit through many anecdotes from her own life and others, all with the intent of introducing to the reader the Person of the Holy Spirit and what He does in the lives of Christians.
There are a number of moving testimonies to the power of the Spirit; and I did find myself putting the book down on a few occasions to pray about some great insights from Mrs. Marshall.
However, this book does not go as deep as I would have liked it to when it comes to how to practically walk in the Spirit in our day-to-day lives.
Overall, Mrs. Marshall gives the reader a good overview of the Holy Spirit’s work. I would recommend it to someone who is unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit, but for practical advice or theological analyses, it would be best to look elsewhere.
There are a number of moving testimonies to the power of the Spirit; and I did find myself putting the book down on a few occasions to pray about some great insights from Mrs. Marshall.
However, this book does not go as deep as I would have liked it to when it comes to how to practically walk in the Spirit in our day-to-day lives.
Overall, Mrs. Marshall gives the reader a good overview of the Holy Spirit’s work. I would recommend it to someone who is unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit, but for practical advice or theological analyses, it would be best to look elsewhere.
May 10, 2020
This book was surprisingly helpful for me. An old book about the Holy Spirit, seemingly written out of the pentecostal revival, I began reading very skeptically. I quickly found that Marshall sticks very close to scripture, often only elaborating with people's personal experiences. This book helped me to think thorough my own confusions about the Holy Spirit without telling me what I had to think. And, the prayers at the end of each chapter are GOLDEN. They are my favorite part of the book all the way through. I needed to read this.
August 9, 2022
A simple, straightforward primer on the least understood person of the Trinity.
Marshall covers:
-Who the Holy Spirit is
-His role in the Trinity
-His role in the lives of the Church collective and individual Believers
-How to interact with the Holy Spirit
-How to access the power and authority of the Holy Spirit
Backed by Scripture and personal accounts, this book is for anyone seeking to better understand the Holy Spirit. Sadly it is currently out of print.
Marshall covers:
-Who the Holy Spirit is
-His role in the Trinity
-His role in the lives of the Church collective and individual Believers
-How to interact with the Holy Spirit
-How to access the power and authority of the Holy Spirit
Backed by Scripture and personal accounts, this book is for anyone seeking to better understand the Holy Spirit. Sadly it is currently out of print.
December 15, 2023
Over the summer, I sought out spiritual counseling with a pastor and his wife because of my anxiety. They recommended this book as a tool to help. I found it thorough, useful, and extremely relevant. For a book written in 1978, it wasn’t as dated as I expected. Yes, I had to look up a few unfamiliar references, but overall, the book had a timeless appeal. I recommend it for anyone seeking a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
October 29, 2017
This book was easy to read, short chapters perfect for morning devotions and really honed in on one subject, the Holy Spirit. The author was born in the early 1900's and died in the 1980's so she was the age of my grandmother which I kept in mind while reading. References to ISIS are missing but there are references to Communism instead. I really enjoyed all I learned from this book.
May 30, 2018
Absolutely fantastic book for anyone who wants to go deeper into their knowledge of the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m not exactly sure why teaching about the Holy Spirit gets put aside in so many churches but this book makes some excellent points as to why we NEED the Holy Spirit as part of our Christian faith.
October 27, 2018
I read this book as a devotional and thoroughly enjoyed this in depth look at the third Person of the Trinity. This book was theologically accurate and used the Bible throughout to back up its premise. I would recommend this book to those who are searching with an honest heart for more of the Holy Spirit.
February 15, 2019
A thoughtful study of the Holy Spirit. The author provided insight, on how to more fully connect and understand what a gift we have been given in our ability to access and rely on the Holy Spirit. She provides, examples and scriptures to help the reader do additional research. A well organized and thoughtful book.
March 14, 2021
I read this as a devotional, one chapter a day. I don’t understand why, but I would get overwhelmed with the urge to cry and cry as I read it. It was always a joyous cry. I won’t soon forget this inspirational book and the lessons learned.
May 2, 2025
I listened to this book, and it was good. It gave me a different way to view some things. I found it helpful but I feel that having the book as a reference book would be better. Some of the ideas require further study and rumination.
June 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The author does a wonderful job of helping Christian followers to better understand who the Holy Spirit is and how he works in us and through us. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper relationship with the Lord and our Helper
July 1, 2017
A beautiful exploration of the Holy Spirit's power in our lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews