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Salted With Fire: The Scots-English Edition
The story of a young minister who ultimately must face the reality of the sin he has committed.
283 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1897
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535 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald
1,589 books2,464 followersGeorge MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 25, 2024
Excellent MacDonald story. While there is MUCH to think about in this book as always with MacDonald, one part that really struck me is the side story of James’s mother and how her very love shielded him from growing in grace. What hard providences do we set up our children for by our sometimes disordered love for them?
April 17, 2016
This story is not an easy read, but it's wonderful. The young minister is full of pride and thinks himself above others because of his holiness. However, he has an affair with a girl at the boarding-house, thinking her worry of only "flirtation" and not marriage. But when his affair is discovered, how will he respond? Will his pride be broken and true holiness have a chance, or is he doomed to forever be a hypocrite of false righteousness?
This deals mainly with pride. MacDonald manages to show the ashes of the young preacher's pride without offending the sensibilities with physical details of a flirtation (a child is conceived without more being pictured than a few kisses.) In a "Scarlet Letter"-esque situation, he must respond to the discovery when his congregation realizes what he has done.
This deals mainly with pride. MacDonald manages to show the ashes of the young preacher's pride without offending the sensibilities with physical details of a flirtation (a child is conceived without more being pictured than a few kisses.) In a "Scarlet Letter"-esque situation, he must respond to the discovery when his congregation realizes what he has done.
August 20, 2024
Recommended to me by majareads!!
What a tome! I was provoked to tears, laughter, fear and wonder; sometimes so closely together that I think I experienced new emotions 😂
As someone whose been in Christian leadership of various kinds almost all my life, this book struck me strongly. I am all too familiar with what its like to struggle with sin, justifying it and turning a blind eye to it. I'm also familiar with the feelings of hypocrisy and denial as I try to do God's work without acknowledging that sin before him.
By God's mercy, I also know the incomparable joy of confessed sin, freedom, God's tangible love through other people who embody His grace and mercy (don't we all want, and need, more of God's mercy? 😭). I know what its like to be redeemed and to have God bring out incredible good out of my willed evil.
This is a beautiful book about all of this and more.
p.s. Lord, if you will, make me an extempore preacher 😂
What a tome! I was provoked to tears, laughter, fear and wonder; sometimes so closely together that I think I experienced new emotions 😂
As someone whose been in Christian leadership of various kinds almost all my life, this book struck me strongly. I am all too familiar with what its like to struggle with sin, justifying it and turning a blind eye to it. I'm also familiar with the feelings of hypocrisy and denial as I try to do God's work without acknowledging that sin before him.
By God's mercy, I also know the incomparable joy of confessed sin, freedom, God's tangible love through other people who embody His grace and mercy (don't we all want, and need, more of God's mercy? 😭). I know what its like to be redeemed and to have God bring out incredible good out of my willed evil.
This is a beautiful book about all of this and more.
p.s. Lord, if you will, make me an extempore preacher 😂
October 4, 2016
So profound! I love MacDonald for that very reason. Every page has some depth to it and makes you think. I'll probably add some good quotes from this book eventually. James story of redemption was great...showing the inner struggle of man and the need to repent of our sin no matter how great!! What I appreciate is how little description MacDonald gives of James sin. So many modern Christian authors go into detail about things that should rather be written discreetly.
April 2, 2025
Although this story was not especially well-written, MacDonald's whole-hearted devotion and love of God permeates every page. Through his simple, humble characters, his books always inspire me to love God more deeply, trust him more completely, and walk with him more intimately and humbly. (Thank you, Michelle, for finding and lending me this book.)
This novel is about a preacher who is a hypocrite. He is hiding a great sin against a young woman, yet pretends he is above reproach. His sermons are empty and dry. His conscience eats away at him. He knows about God, but does not know God personally. Along with a few others, a humble shoemaker challenges and inspires the young man to come clean and come home to God.
This novel is about a preacher who is a hypocrite. He is hiding a great sin against a young woman, yet pretends he is above reproach. His sermons are empty and dry. His conscience eats away at him. He knows about God, but does not know God personally. Along with a few others, a humble shoemaker challenges and inspires the young man to come clean and come home to God.
April 26, 2024
wow. better than therapy (and cheaper too, LOL). such a piercing look into the human heart & soul--into my own heart & soul--and with such rich words of deep, deep comfort and grace to offer in response. so good. i will need to re-read. not soon though because this took so much out of me. wow.
March 30, 2025
A beautiful story of how God makes our wrong choices turn out for His glory so that we may learn to trust Him more
April 14, 2013
My first encounter with Mr. Mac Donald left me hungry for more of his stories. I cannot imagine a young reader enjoying this work as the Scotch dialect is a challenge to read. Personally, I enjoyed it and heard my Scottish friends' voices as I read.
The story deals with an issue as old as time. Ego, lust, fear, pride and the fall from it, as well as humility, restoration and forgiveness.
Throughout Jesus is magnified as He really is; God searching and yearning for His wee lost sheep.
The story deals with an issue as old as time. Ego, lust, fear, pride and the fall from it, as well as humility, restoration and forgiveness.
Throughout Jesus is magnified as He really is; God searching and yearning for His wee lost sheep.
October 23, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! It’s like how I always wanted the scarlet letter to end! So much hope and redemption and forgiveness. So humbling about how much our God is ready and willing to forgive our past sins as well as the redemptive work He can accomplish if we would humbly confess and love Him! I love how MacDonalds every day stories teach me more about God than any nonfiction book I’ve read.
Also just a very interesting story.
Also just a very interesting story.
July 1, 2024
This was my first George McDonald book. Excellent!
April 30, 2019
James Blatherwick, a vain and selfish minister more interested in the eloquence of his sermons than the true meaning of the Gospel, wrongs a young woman and becomes a hypocrite by avoiding her.
Living in contrast contrast to Blatherwick's false faith are MacLear, a humble soutar (cobbler) and his daughter Maggie, both modest in their means but authentic believers who live by the example of Christ. They also speak in authentic Scotch dialect:
“Weel, minister, hoo are ye the day? Is the yerd ony lichter upo' the tap o' ye?” he said, with a smile that was almost pauky.
“I do not understand you, Mr. MacLear!” answered James with dignity.
Me neither, but I do adore the sound you make! I also adore the kind-hearted sense that MacDonald's truly Christian characters always speak. Let's follow this conversation through.
“Na, ye canna! Gien ye could, ye wouldna be sae comfortable as ye seem!”
“I cannot think, Mr. MacLear, why you should be rude to me!”
“Gien ye saw the hoose on fire aboot a man deid asleep, maybe ye micht be in ower great a hurry to be polite til 'im!” remarked the soutar.
“Dare you suggest, sir, that I have been drinking?” cried the parson.
“Not for a single moment, sir; and I beg yer pardon for causin ye so to mistak me: I do not believe, sir, ye war ever ance owertaen wi' drink in a' yer life! I fear I'm jist ower ready to speyk in parables, for it's no a'body that can or wull un'erstan' them! But the last time ye left me upo' this same stule, it was wi' that cry o' the Apostle o' the Gentiles i' my lug—'Wauk up, thoo that sleepest!' For even the deid wauk whan the trumpet blatters i' their lug!”
“It seems to me that there the Apostle makes allusion to the condition of the Gentile nations, asleep in their sins! But it may apply, doubtless, to the conversion of any unbelieving man from the error of his ways.”
“Weel,” said the soutar, turning half round, and looking the minister full in the face, “are ye convertit, sir? Or are ye but turnin frae side to side i' yer coffin—seekin a sleepin assurance that ye're waukin?”
The plot was far from convincing from a practical standpoint - quite how the abandoned lover turned up in Blatherwick's parent's house, the baby in the house of the soutar and yet nobody put two and two together didn't pass muster - but the implausibility of the situation was irrelevant, this is a parable, not a drama.
All parables must have a moral, in this case the lesson was best summarised as 'reparation must go hand in hand with repentance where the All-wise was judge.' His vestments won't save him, Blatherwick must make amends.
As MacDonald's last work I like to think of this as his Winter's Tale, which may even have been intended considering what happened to bring about the final restoration.
Living in contrast contrast to Blatherwick's false faith are MacLear, a humble soutar (cobbler) and his daughter Maggie, both modest in their means but authentic believers who live by the example of Christ. They also speak in authentic Scotch dialect:
“Weel, minister, hoo are ye the day? Is the yerd ony lichter upo' the tap o' ye?” he said, with a smile that was almost pauky.
“I do not understand you, Mr. MacLear!” answered James with dignity.
Me neither, but I do adore the sound you make! I also adore the kind-hearted sense that MacDonald's truly Christian characters always speak. Let's follow this conversation through.
“Na, ye canna! Gien ye could, ye wouldna be sae comfortable as ye seem!”
“I cannot think, Mr. MacLear, why you should be rude to me!”
“Gien ye saw the hoose on fire aboot a man deid asleep, maybe ye micht be in ower great a hurry to be polite til 'im!” remarked the soutar.
“Dare you suggest, sir, that I have been drinking?” cried the parson.
“Not for a single moment, sir; and I beg yer pardon for causin ye so to mistak me: I do not believe, sir, ye war ever ance owertaen wi' drink in a' yer life! I fear I'm jist ower ready to speyk in parables, for it's no a'body that can or wull un'erstan' them! But the last time ye left me upo' this same stule, it was wi' that cry o' the Apostle o' the Gentiles i' my lug—'Wauk up, thoo that sleepest!' For even the deid wauk whan the trumpet blatters i' their lug!”
“It seems to me that there the Apostle makes allusion to the condition of the Gentile nations, asleep in their sins! But it may apply, doubtless, to the conversion of any unbelieving man from the error of his ways.”
“Weel,” said the soutar, turning half round, and looking the minister full in the face, “are ye convertit, sir? Or are ye but turnin frae side to side i' yer coffin—seekin a sleepin assurance that ye're waukin?”
The plot was far from convincing from a practical standpoint - quite how the abandoned lover turned up in Blatherwick's parent's house, the baby in the house of the soutar and yet nobody put two and two together didn't pass muster - but the implausibility of the situation was irrelevant, this is a parable, not a drama.
All parables must have a moral, in this case the lesson was best summarised as 'reparation must go hand in hand with repentance where the All-wise was judge.' His vestments won't save him, Blatherwick must make amends.
As MacDonald's last work I like to think of this as his Winter's Tale, which may even have been intended considering what happened to bring about the final restoration.
February 18, 2013
George MacDonald is amazing and any time I read one of his books, my walk with Jesus is challenged. He often focuses on themes of obedience and charity, especially in regards to the poor and suffering. This one was a little challenging because of the Scottish dialect, but also fun for that very reason. This story deals with a young pastor who is hiding a dark secret, and God's loving ways of bringing truth to light, and His lost ones back to Himself...as appropriate for today as it was when it was written.
February 5, 2017
George MacDonald has yet to disappoint me. This book was absolutely great. The Scotch vernacular was difficult to understand at times, but at the same time it made you really pay attention to the dialogue. This story was littered with truth, and warning, hope and despair. A great reminder that we all fall, but we are all capable of being redeemed. Stop what you're doing and read it.
May 13, 2014
The embedded truths in this book can speak to everyone. As the last book before his death, MacDonald leaves a solid, unyielding story about our lives. Good, short read about James being salted with God's refining fire.
December 29, 2009
Best for older readers. Wouldn't be my favorite MacDonald, but there are still some valuable points.
March 13, 2010
Always love George MacDonald and the way he points my heart toward the mercy and grace of Jesus.
August 10, 2016
Not my favorite MacDonald title, but he always gives food for thought. No fluffy romances here!
July 9, 2017
Probably George MacDonald's masterpiece. The last novel he wrote at the end of his life, short and intense. I love many of his books, but this one cuts right to the chase and goes deep to the heart.
September 19, 2016
Not my favorite plot, but it brings on those rich MacDonald-style theological moments that make the whole read worth it.
August 30, 2017
Part of a trilogy that a friend loaned to me with the recommendation that I read it. A period piece. More interesting for the setting and writing than the story line.
March 26, 2018
I read a hard copy of this book, not the kindle edition. I rate it highly for substance. Persevere with small print and Scottish dialect!
December 23, 2021
MacDonald's stories are so beautifully and masterfully told that they feel a little like home. This story has a strong Dickensian vibe and has so much religion in it that it would feel preachy if it didn't.
The biggest down is the long sections of dialogue written in Scottish English. I would happily wade through that again for this story, but I would look up more words sooner. Once I looked up about five of the most common words I didn't know, I was able to follow the dialogue quite effectively. But if you don't master these sections, the story won't work.
All up, a wonderful story, wonderfully told.
The biggest down is the long sections of dialogue written in Scottish English. I would happily wade through that again for this story, but I would look up more words sooner. Once I looked up about five of the most common words I didn't know, I was able to follow the dialogue quite effectively. But if you don't master these sections, the story won't work.
All up, a wonderful story, wonderfully told.
July 31, 2022
Like The Scarlet Letter but focusing more on the power of the Spirit’s conviction and sanctification than the power of a community’s judgment. The nobility, stemming from shame, in the heroine and the cluelessly selfish minister allowed for interesting portraits in human psychology that differed from Dimmesdale’s lame self-inflicted suffering. The support of the community was very sweet and perhaps picturesque but certainly an ideal to aspire to. We’re there some cheesy elements? Perhaps. But overall very good, quick little tale, and surprisingly realistic after reading MacDonald’s fantastical Phantastes.
June 3, 2022
This is one of the shorter George MacDonald books, but it's a good one that keeps you guessing. This is the second time I've read the book, and it's chock full of MacDonald's theology. On page one he hits you with: "In God's kingdom, however, a man's salvation rarely comes without the prayers of another who labors unseen."
Sometimes his theology is questionable. But the more you read him, the more you understand how much he loves the Lord and yearns to know him better.
Sometimes his theology is questionable. But the more you read him, the more you understand how much he loves the Lord and yearns to know him better.
January 1, 2024
Excellent novel. I have not read a McDonald novel in awhile, so it was good to get back to one. Thoughtful and shows us much of the characters feelings. I liked the edition I was reading, which has the Scottish and English side by side. It is edited by David Jack and very well done.
1st book of the new year.
1st book of the new year.
May 31, 2025
This is the story of the humble girl Isobel and the lofty minded James, his family and community and it is well told.
The story of human beings attempting life without care or concern for what the Father would have for them if they'd only known to seek His will first.
The story of human beings attempting life without care or concern for what the Father would have for them if they'd only known to seek His will first.
September 28, 2019
Och, who knew MacDonald could write about swooning ladies, and wee Bairnies! I’d previously read only his fantasy!
August 2, 2021
Convicting and uplifting, MacDonald's novel is as relevant now as it was when he penned it in 1896. I aspire to have his cobbler's dedicated walk with God!
February 16, 2024
Beautiful story on the blindness of sin and God’s redeeming, restoring love…
July 4, 2022
A profound tale of a religious soutar and a vain young meenister who has never known God. It harkens back to a bygone age of Christianity in Britain when the churches were not the empty shells that they are today (literally and spiritually).
MacDonald, through the soutar and the long-suffering Isy, demonstrates the strength, wisdom, and inspiration that can be found in Christian belief. Even as an agnostic I was very moved.
“John MacLear could not even utter the name of God without therein making a confession of faith immeasurably beyond anything inhabiting the consciousness of the parson; and on his part soon began to note in James a total absence of enthusiasm in regard to such things of which his very calling implied at least an absolute acceptance: he would allude to any or all of them as merest matters of course! Never did his face light up when he spoke of the Son of God, of his death, or of his resurrection; never did he make mention of the kingdom of heaven as if it were anything more venerable than the kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.”
MacDonald, through the soutar and the long-suffering Isy, demonstrates the strength, wisdom, and inspiration that can be found in Christian belief. Even as an agnostic I was very moved.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews