What do you think?
Rate this book
Because of Stephen
Book by Hill, Grace Livingston
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1904
47 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
592 books570 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2020
Written in 1904. Set in Montana on a ranch some miles from Butte: "Foxy's gone over to Butte in his buckboard with his mother. I saw him go this afternoon," answered Philip.
Grace L. Hill lived on the east coast, Philly probably, but she corresponded with a gal from Montana to learn about life in Montana. Her next book was titled The Girl from Montana but it’s not a sequel, not related at all.
Themes: Overcoming alcoholism, faith, friendship, and family, with a beautifully understated romance occurring on the side. Also, a fixer-upper house, remodeled. And packing trunks overflowing with food and household goods, akin to Mary Poppins’ miraculous valise.
Quibbles:
It’s difficult to swallow the notion of grown cowboys going to Sunday School, but despite that, I was close to tears at the final chapter... the cowboys singing, the blessing, the new dedication and building.
Warning: Dated material — old fashioned, quite preachy, and contains racial stereotypes, including the descriptions of old Marna, the black help. Ouch.
Grace L. Hill lived on the east coast, Philly probably, but she corresponded with a gal from Montana to learn about life in Montana. Her next book was titled The Girl from Montana but it’s not a sequel, not related at all.
Themes: Overcoming alcoholism, faith, friendship, and family, with a beautifully understated romance occurring on the side. Also, a fixer-upper house, remodeled. And packing trunks overflowing with food and household goods, akin to Mary Poppins’ miraculous valise.
Quibbles:
It’s difficult to swallow the notion of grown cowboys going to Sunday School, but despite that, I was close to tears at the final chapter... the cowboys singing, the blessing, the new dedication and building.
Warning: Dated material — old fashioned, quite preachy, and contains racial stereotypes, including the descriptions of old Marna, the black help. Ouch.
September 16, 2019
I am always drawn to GLH's novels. They are so clean, and yet not boring. They present the message of salvation without being preachy (usually). They show characters living out their faith in a world that does not welcome them. Because of their witness, others are brought to the Lord. This is a great definition of a Christian romance novel, and Grace was one of the best. Although her novels are now dated and "old-fashioned," they retain their appeal to those of us who love the Lord and good literature.
One of my favorite things about Grace's novels is watching her characters bring beauty and refinement into their environments, especially in places that are rude and rough. That was the case in this story - two young cowboys are living in a rough log cabin that contains only the bare necessities of life. Stephen is drawn to drink, and Phillip is drawn to bitterness and apathy caused by a great disappointment in his life. Into this dark and dismal place comes Stephen's sister, Margaret, orphaned now and alone in the world, to "make a home" for her dear older step-brother whom she has never really known. He is prone to despise her because she is part of the step family that separated him from his father's love and care. But she has always admired him, knowing nothing of the person he has become.
Not only does she bring her own beauty and faith in Christ into this unwelcoming place, but she has also carted along all of her worldly goods, with a view of improving whatever living situation she finds herself in. Now this required a bit of suspension of disbelief, because not only has she brought her piano to the rugged, untamed west, but also a lot of fine mahogany furniture, small palm trees, wall coverings, etc. Just a little bit unbelievable, but you can see how she changes their ugly dwelling into a place of refinement and beauty, and her personality and faith shine out in everything she does.
A lot of things change in these cowboys' lives because of her desire to bring Christ to her brother. A difficult ending, perhaps a little too brief to bring closure, but satisfying none the less.
One of my favorite things about Grace's novels is watching her characters bring beauty and refinement into their environments, especially in places that are rude and rough. That was the case in this story - two young cowboys are living in a rough log cabin that contains only the bare necessities of life. Stephen is drawn to drink, and Phillip is drawn to bitterness and apathy caused by a great disappointment in his life. Into this dark and dismal place comes Stephen's sister, Margaret, orphaned now and alone in the world, to "make a home" for her dear older step-brother whom she has never really known. He is prone to despise her because she is part of the step family that separated him from his father's love and care. But she has always admired him, knowing nothing of the person he has become.
Not only does she bring her own beauty and faith in Christ into this unwelcoming place, but she has also carted along all of her worldly goods, with a view of improving whatever living situation she finds herself in. Now this required a bit of suspension of disbelief, because not only has she brought her piano to the rugged, untamed west, but also a lot of fine mahogany furniture, small palm trees, wall coverings, etc. Just a little bit unbelievable, but you can see how she changes their ugly dwelling into a place of refinement and beauty, and her personality and faith shine out in everything she does.
A lot of things change in these cowboys' lives because of her desire to bring Christ to her brother. A difficult ending, perhaps a little too brief to bring closure, but satisfying none the less.
March 14, 2021
Rating: 4.4 / 5
I think that my last minute downgrading of this rating from five to four stars is because of two reasons. Firstly, I would have to say that there is not enough of a focus, in my opinion, on the brother-sister relationship between Stephen and Margaret. Instead most of the book seems to focus on Philip and Margaret and how she changes his life. Philip is, as we see, a moral man from the beginning of the story and he is the only reason that Steven is still living in semi-decency. Really, it’s Philip who gets the story going as he is the one who encourages Stephen to invite Margaret out in the first place upon receiving her letter. And when Margaret does come, it’s Philip who greets her, it’s Philip who tries to make her welcome, and it’s Philip who encourages her to stay the most. As for Margaret herself she makes a lot of mistakes about Stephen’s hospitality which is really Phillip’s but of course Margaret does not realize this until it becomes very obvious. I appreciate the sisterly devotion to Stephen and Margaret’s continuous efforts to love and understand him even when it is a bit harder to understand where he’s coming from or what he’s thinking. He seems like your typical rugged cowboy who doesn’t really have a lot to say but feels a lot of disgruntled feelings when someone goes against his will. Margaret is a new element in his life, and we get that, but the problem is that there are not enough interactions with them together because Stephen is constantly walking away and not really well expressing what he thinks. Or, I should say, the author doesn’t really express what he thinks and instead uses him as more of a model of bad behavior who is constantly being pursued by the devil in his bad works. The ending is also a bit bittersweet and is also another reason why I decided to downgrade the rating. It’s not that I don’t like the story, but that I felt it could have been stronger and perhaps lasted longer or been done in a different way. I mean, in Grace Livingston Hill novels I am used to happy endings so it is a bit surprising when the ending is not 100% happy, but that’s neither here nor there. All in all, it was a great read to get through, I really enjoyed it, and it another great addition to my shelves.
I think that my last minute downgrading of this rating from five to four stars is because of two reasons. Firstly, I would have to say that there is not enough of a focus, in my opinion, on the brother-sister relationship between Stephen and Margaret. Instead most of the book seems to focus on Philip and Margaret and how she changes his life. Philip is, as we see, a moral man from the beginning of the story and he is the only reason that Steven is still living in semi-decency. Really, it’s Philip who gets the story going as he is the one who encourages Stephen to invite Margaret out in the first place upon receiving her letter. And when Margaret does come, it’s Philip who greets her, it’s Philip who tries to make her welcome, and it’s Philip who encourages her to stay the most. As for Margaret herself she makes a lot of mistakes about Stephen’s hospitality which is really Phillip’s but of course Margaret does not realize this until it becomes very obvious. I appreciate the sisterly devotion to Stephen and Margaret’s continuous efforts to love and understand him even when it is a bit harder to understand where he’s coming from or what he’s thinking. He seems like your typical rugged cowboy who doesn’t really have a lot to say but feels a lot of disgruntled feelings when someone goes against his will. Margaret is a new element in his life, and we get that, but the problem is that there are not enough interactions with them together because Stephen is constantly walking away and not really well expressing what he thinks. Or, I should say, the author doesn’t really express what he thinks and instead uses him as more of a model of bad behavior who is constantly being pursued by the devil in his bad works. The ending is also a bit bittersweet and is also another reason why I decided to downgrade the rating. It’s not that I don’t like the story, but that I felt it could have been stronger and perhaps lasted longer or been done in a different way. I mean, in Grace Livingston Hill novels I am used to happy endings so it is a bit surprising when the ending is not 100% happy, but that’s neither here nor there. All in all, it was a great read to get through, I really enjoyed it, and it another great addition to my shelves.
May 27, 2020
Tjhis was so good. This is about Margret mooving out west to build a relationship with her brother, Stephen, and try to lead him to Christ. However, this proves to be a challenge, as Stephen has no desire to come to Christ.
I can admire what Margret was trying to do with her brother and his friends. However, I wish that Stephen was not so against it and just listened to his sister once in a while.
I found the romance to be reaaly sweet in this story.
I'm glad that Stephen asked to see his sister and Phillip married before he passed on into heaven.
All around, it was a very sweet and touching read.
I can admire what Margret was trying to do with her brother and his friends. However, I wish that Stephen was not so against it and just listened to his sister once in a while.
I found the romance to be reaaly sweet in this story.
I'm glad that Stephen asked to see his sister and Phillip married before he passed on into heaven.
All around, it was a very sweet and touching read.
March 29, 2025
Published in 1904, Grace Livingston Hill's "Because of Stephen" is a bitter sweet brother and sister religious centered evangelical story. When Stephen's sister comes to live with him and sees the West is quite different and more wild but her faith in Jesus and her prayers lead her to the path she must take.
Story in short- Stephen has not seen his half sister in years and has a grudge with his family.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
Stephen's friend and partner Philip wishes he had a sister that he could write a receive letters from, so when Stephen's sister Margaret has written she is coming to visit, he tells Stephen they must hurry and pick up the girl from the station which is due soon. The worry is the rowdy and rough men that drink near the station and her being all alone. Margaret from the first wonders why her brother is submissive to his friend who seems to take charge but after thinking that Philip drinks and troubles her brother she finally has to face the truth that her brother is the drinker. Stephen had bought the cabin but after his drinking and gambling lost everything and Philip bought the cabin back. Both men are not believers but that changes as the story goes on with the help of God and Margaret who not only helps these two men but many of the rough men who have been introduced to the Lord through Margaret's Sunday school. Stephen has an accident while in his frenzy after a year of being sober to drink which caused him to fatally injured and his regret in not being a follower of Christ sooner, he wishes his friends to build a church near his grave. He brings together a match between his friend and his beloved sister before his death. Very sad but triumph ending!
Story in short- Stephen has not seen his half sister in years and has a grudge with his family.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
Stephen's friend and partner Philip wishes he had a sister that he could write a receive letters from, so when Stephen's sister Margaret has written she is coming to visit, he tells Stephen they must hurry and pick up the girl from the station which is due soon. The worry is the rowdy and rough men that drink near the station and her being all alone. Margaret from the first wonders why her brother is submissive to his friend who seems to take charge but after thinking that Philip drinks and troubles her brother she finally has to face the truth that her brother is the drinker. Stephen had bought the cabin but after his drinking and gambling lost everything and Philip bought the cabin back. Both men are not believers but that changes as the story goes on with the help of God and Margaret who not only helps these two men but many of the rough men who have been introduced to the Lord through Margaret's Sunday school. Stephen has an accident while in his frenzy after a year of being sober to drink which caused him to fatally injured and his regret in not being a follower of Christ sooner, he wishes his friends to build a church near his grave. He brings together a match between his friend and his beloved sister before his death. Very sad but triumph ending!
February 28, 2022
This book reminded me a lot of "In the Way" - where a girl comes to live with her brother(s) and reforms him/them. I liked this one and the way that the roommate was already trying to reform Stephen before the sister even got there.
I do with we had seen a little more character development in the title character, but the end justified the story, I suppose. The romance, while completely believable, seemed like it came out of left-field at the end. Overall, this was a decent read, and a very quick read, but it was only ok. Probably not high on my re-read list, but it's definitely a re-read contender. More than likely, though, if I'm going to re-read a western redemption novel, it would be Voice in the Wilderness (another 3 star read, but I'm having fond nostalgic feelings about that one...my memory is probably wrong though). Anyway...it's not a bad read, and it's most definitely NOT GLH's worst. Just not her best.
I do with we had seen a little more character development in the title character, but the end justified the story, I suppose. The romance, while completely believable, seemed like it came out of left-field at the end. Overall, this was a decent read, and a very quick read, but it was only ok. Probably not high on my re-read list, but it's definitely a re-read contender. More than likely, though, if I'm going to re-read a western redemption novel, it would be Voice in the Wilderness (another 3 star read, but I'm having fond nostalgic feelings about that one...my memory is probably wrong though). Anyway...it's not a bad read, and it's most definitely NOT GLH's worst. Just not her best.
July 9, 2022
Stephen's halfsister surprises him by arriving on his ranch. She thinks that he represents everything noble and true only to discover that he is nothing like that. Written in the late 1800's , there has to be a mental adjustment to understand the values and way of life. However, it is good to be reminded of a time when these things mattered and when there was a burning desire to see people come to Jesus.
March 31, 2018
Thanks, Grandma.
Now I understand why Grandma Gocker so enjoyed and loved Grace Livingston Hill books.
This book is certainly a “good Christian story.
I’m a Christian, but I probably won’t read another of Hill’s dated novels.
Thank you, Grandma.
Now I understand why Grandma Gocker so enjoyed and loved Grace Livingston Hill books.
This book is certainly a “good Christian story.
I’m a Christian, but I probably won’t read another of Hill’s dated novels.
Thank you, Grandma.
March 6, 2021
This gentle Christian novel is more naïve and less believable than other's I have read by her. It was still sweet, with a good message, but certainly not one of her better novels.
July 28, 2024
With all of Grace's classic writing and descriptions, this was a pass for me. The Bible is very clear about women teaching and preaching to men in public meeting, but this book makes a woman doing so seem not only excusable but necessary - that these rough men wouldn't have listened to another man, only a sweet, lovely, beautiful woman could have reached them. But that is to say God is wrong, and we know better than He does. God's wisdom is always perfect, far above our understanding. We must believe and obey His commands, not allow our own thinking to reason out how disobeying Him would reap better harvests. Is this not the epitome of Saul saving what God told him to destroy, in order to sacrifice it to the Lord? And Samuel called what he did a sin equal to witchcraft. Grace in essence tries to show what good things come out of disobedience, but what a terrible lesson that is!
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night... And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
...And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night... And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
...And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
February 23, 2017
One of my favorites by GLH. Such an amazing moral and testimony.
October 8, 2019
I haven't read GLH in a while, and I enjoyed this reacquaintace. There is the usual courageous and faithful heroine (Margaret), who sets about going to see her long-missed step-brother (Stephen) in the untamed West. She sends her fancy goods ahead to give some much-needed cheer to the place, but her biggest challenges lie in evangelizing the brother, his friend Philip, and a town of ruffians. She sets about doing this with prayer and persistence, yet not without occasional despair. She starts a "Sunday School" in her new home, and, perhaps incredibly, the town drunkards keep coming back. She doesn't realize her brother is among the drunks, and at first thinks Philip is the evil influence in her brother's life...while the opposite is basically true. Yet Philip has his own bitterness and doubts...and is falling in love with Margaret. The story is encouraging in a way, yet almost too much of a reform school (the gospel is portrayed, but loosely/in an Arminian way), and I didn't quite like Margaret being basically a preacher. But her faith in Christ's ability to change people is inspiring, and her desire to witness even to the mocking and rough.
January 20, 2013
I think this book was just great! It's about a homeless girl who goes out west to be with her brother, Stephen. Stephen is well on his way to becoming a drunkard, and his sister tries to bring him back to the Christian way that he was raised. She meets much trouble along the way from the other young men of the area, but finally succeeds in actually starting a Sunday school for these young roustabouts. Gradually they begin to change for the better, amidst many hair-raising scary activities. Since this is a beautiful romance, you know that one of the roustabouts falls in love with the girl, and together they try to keep Stephen from his drunken ways. I loved this book because it shows what determination and utter trust in God can accomplish. It also has a wonderful ending, which should give hope to anyone. It's a winner for me!
November 9, 2025
References to several old books Grace must have enjoyed.
Read
January 25, 2008Hill, Grace Livingston
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews