The Little Garden of Roses and Valley of Lilies

by Thomas à Kempis

— A Classic — Includes Active Table of Contents — Includes Religious Illustrations

It is a matter for wonder, that so few of the works of the B. Thomas à Kempis are known to the English reader; and this the more, that they all breathe the same meek and warm spirit of piety and devotion we meet with in that golden book attributed so popularly to his name, and this moreover to such an extent, that it is difficult to believe that there should ever have been any hardy enough to deny, that the author of these, and of “The Imitation of Christ,” were identical.

Aeterna Press

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2014

About the author

Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") / Thomas de Kempis / Thomas Hamerken von Kempen was born at Kempen (hence the "A Kempis") in the duchy of Cleves in Germany around 1380. He was educated by a religious order called the Brethren of the Common Life, and in due course joined the order, was ordained a priest, became sub-prior of his house (in the low Countries), and died 25 July 1471 (his feast is observed a day early to avoid conflict with that of James bar-Zebedee the Apostle).

Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.