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A Daily Rate
Longing for the warmth and love she had known growing up with her Aunt Hannah, Celia Murray vowed to make the best of the dreary Philadelphia boarding house that was her new "home." Then an unexpected inheritance promised to make all her dreams come true. She sent for her aunt and they began to transform the shabby boarding house into a comfortable home for the boarders who had become her family. But a gift more miraculous soon came in the person of handsome Horace Stafford, minister of the mission chapel. Finally, Celia had met a man whose faith and compassion matched her own--but could she ever dare to confess the deepest secret of her heart?
195 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
94 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
572 books564 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 30, 2022
Second Reading Rating: 4.7 / 5
Having reread this book as my second Grace Livingston Hill book, I once again found myself picking it up at the time of need. Just the title, “A Daily Rate” communicates the message of the book so well, that one can’t help but get a sense of what it’s going to be about. And, if one is like me, then one knows when one needs to hear certain messages, especially if one has heard them before. Ultimately, I think that that is what Grace Livingston Hill books are to me the most: books to read at a time of need, and especially when I need faith inspired messages to light my way moving forward in dark times. I really hope that these books are not entirely forgotten, so in many ways perhaps they are relics of the past. This book in particular was written in the year 1900, making it one of Grace Livingston Hill‘s earlier works, which, even as her daughter admits in the forward, is before she really developed her writing style. Knowing a bit of the author’s history though, I can appreciate that she wrote this around the time when she was experiencing difficulties in her life, a time when she herself had to take things on faith and day by day. So it is sometimes for us.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Sometimes, our opinions of books also depend on our experience of reading them just as much as the stories themselves. Like watching a movie, book preferences can also vary based on moods--for instance, if we're feeling down and in the mood to really laugh, we may appreciate even the worst comedy more than we would under ordinary circumstances. The point I'm trying to get at from this analogy is that our moods influence our experiences, and thus our overall opinions.
When I first put A Daily Rate on my "to-read" list, I did not know that it was one of Grace Livingston Hill's earlier works. Once I found that out though, I did think that it might be more, shall we say, "reserved" in the romance elements, and I was most certainly right about that. The novel as a whole is far more preachy than any other GLH books I've read so far, and in comparison to the other books I've read, there's also not as much action going on as description. It's an example of an earlier sample Ms. Hill's work, with much more attention to the religious aspect than the storytelling aspect.
As such, despite the appealing cover, I'll admit that I was kind of expecting to dislike this one, more than The White Lady, which has a similar plot involving a minister as the protagonist's love interest. Ironically enough, The White Lady is a book that I anticipated liking more and yet ended up liking the least out of any GLH books, and A Daily Rate is a book that I anticipated liking the least and yet I like it quite enough to give it a rounded-up five stars.
When starting this book, I was really down in the dumps in my personal life. I just felt low, tired, and sad--kind of like how Celia starts out in the story. And while she does unexpectedly inherit some money to help turn her life around, the greatest gift that she gets is spiritual, through renewed faith and demonstrations of God's impact on her life. Through some of the preaching, I felt as though the words were directed at me, and this helped me to get both through the story and through the past couple of day while I've been reading it. And while I do admit that some of the reading--by which I mean the paragraphs upon paragraphs of unbroken description--can be a bit daunting, like a true healing process, it takes patience to get through.
I did skim a bit at the end, I will admit, but read enough to conclude that the ending was indeed beautiful and well-deserved. Yet another pleasurable read by Grace Livingston Hill, my preferred Christian-romance author. I would recommend this for anyone with free time, patience, and who is going through a hard time--you may be surprised at the comfort you find in a simple, calm, and faithful story.
Having reread this book as my second Grace Livingston Hill book, I once again found myself picking it up at the time of need. Just the title, “A Daily Rate” communicates the message of the book so well, that one can’t help but get a sense of what it’s going to be about. And, if one is like me, then one knows when one needs to hear certain messages, especially if one has heard them before. Ultimately, I think that that is what Grace Livingston Hill books are to me the most: books to read at a time of need, and especially when I need faith inspired messages to light my way moving forward in dark times. I really hope that these books are not entirely forgotten, so in many ways perhaps they are relics of the past. This book in particular was written in the year 1900, making it one of Grace Livingston Hill‘s earlier works, which, even as her daughter admits in the forward, is before she really developed her writing style. Knowing a bit of the author’s history though, I can appreciate that she wrote this around the time when she was experiencing difficulties in her life, a time when she herself had to take things on faith and day by day. So it is sometimes for us.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Sometimes, our opinions of books also depend on our experience of reading them just as much as the stories themselves. Like watching a movie, book preferences can also vary based on moods--for instance, if we're feeling down and in the mood to really laugh, we may appreciate even the worst comedy more than we would under ordinary circumstances. The point I'm trying to get at from this analogy is that our moods influence our experiences, and thus our overall opinions.
When I first put A Daily Rate on my "to-read" list, I did not know that it was one of Grace Livingston Hill's earlier works. Once I found that out though, I did think that it might be more, shall we say, "reserved" in the romance elements, and I was most certainly right about that. The novel as a whole is far more preachy than any other GLH books I've read so far, and in comparison to the other books I've read, there's also not as much action going on as description. It's an example of an earlier sample Ms. Hill's work, with much more attention to the religious aspect than the storytelling aspect.
As such, despite the appealing cover, I'll admit that I was kind of expecting to dislike this one, more than The White Lady, which has a similar plot involving a minister as the protagonist's love interest. Ironically enough, The White Lady is a book that I anticipated liking more and yet ended up liking the least out of any GLH books, and A Daily Rate is a book that I anticipated liking the least and yet I like it quite enough to give it a rounded-up five stars.
When starting this book, I was really down in the dumps in my personal life. I just felt low, tired, and sad--kind of like how Celia starts out in the story. And while she does unexpectedly inherit some money to help turn her life around, the greatest gift that she gets is spiritual, through renewed faith and demonstrations of God's impact on her life. Through some of the preaching, I felt as though the words were directed at me, and this helped me to get both through the story and through the past couple of day while I've been reading it. And while I do admit that some of the reading--by which I mean the paragraphs upon paragraphs of unbroken description--can be a bit daunting, like a true healing process, it takes patience to get through.
I did skim a bit at the end, I will admit, but read enough to conclude that the ending was indeed beautiful and well-deserved. Yet another pleasurable read by Grace Livingston Hill, my preferred Christian-romance author. I would recommend this for anyone with free time, patience, and who is going through a hard time--you may be surprised at the comfort you find in a simple, calm, and faithful story.
January 28, 2016
This is one of those touchstone books that I go back to when I need the comfort of something gentle and familiar. So this was perfect to read while fighting a cold on a particularly blustery evening.
The concept of this story is what I love most of all. A sweet girl staying in a rather dismal boarding house amuses herself by thinking of how she would better things for her fellow boarders. Then when a windfall comes her way, sets out to do just that. The idea of using a boarding house as a mission field is a delightful one, and seeing the transformation of everyone involved is a beautiful story and one that leaves me with a rather happy sigh at the end. Of course there's conflicts in the form of the evil relatives that want nothing more than to get their hands on what isn't theirs. But good always triumphs, and a simple message of salvation is preached, and all live happily ever after.
And yes I did say 'preached.' That's my one complaint about Grace Livingston Hill, is that there's nothing subtle about the Christian message. All the same, sometimes a sermon dressed up in a casual novel is a pleasure to read. Overall, I'm well pleased with this one.
The concept of this story is what I love most of all. A sweet girl staying in a rather dismal boarding house amuses herself by thinking of how she would better things for her fellow boarders. Then when a windfall comes her way, sets out to do just that. The idea of using a boarding house as a mission field is a delightful one, and seeing the transformation of everyone involved is a beautiful story and one that leaves me with a rather happy sigh at the end. Of course there's conflicts in the form of the evil relatives that want nothing more than to get their hands on what isn't theirs. But good always triumphs, and a simple message of salvation is preached, and all live happily ever after.
And yes I did say 'preached.' That's my one complaint about Grace Livingston Hill, is that there's nothing subtle about the Christian message. All the same, sometimes a sermon dressed up in a casual novel is a pleasure to read. Overall, I'm well pleased with this one.
December 15, 2022
This is a little story about a country girl who is forced to go to the city for a job. She misses her aunt who has raised her, and whose situation is even worse than her own.
Her life is dim, without much hope of improvement, but things quickly change.
It is satisfying to read about the changes she makes to the little boarding house. As usual in Mrs. Hill's books, there is a romance going on as well. This is a weakness of the book, as the reader can see through the circumstance that, for a while, is devastating to our heroine.
The main character is a woman of excellent character and is a good role model for young girls and women. In the beginning of the story, we see what a bleak situation she is in, and she is not very optimistic. Life seems to have beaten her down, and she doesn't have a very strong faith. Still, she is kind to others, and seems to have compassion, although there is very little she can do for them at first. I really liked that she was very willing to serve, and when the opportunity presented itself, she cared for those that didn't really deserve it.
Her life is dim, without much hope of improvement, but things quickly change.
It is satisfying to read about the changes she makes to the little boarding house. As usual in Mrs. Hill's books, there is a romance going on as well. This is a weakness of the book, as the reader can see through the circumstance that, for a while, is devastating to our heroine.
The main character is a woman of excellent character and is a good role model for young girls and women. In the beginning of the story, we see what a bleak situation she is in, and she is not very optimistic. Life seems to have beaten her down, and she doesn't have a very strong faith. Still, she is kind to others, and seems to have compassion, although there is very little she can do for them at first. I really liked that she was very willing to serve, and when the opportunity presented itself, she cared for those that didn't really deserve it.
May 9, 2022
I haven't read this book in years. It is one of Grace Livingstone Hill's early works and such a sweet story. Mostly, it's about a girl and her aunt transforming a boarding house. It's such a sweet story and enjoyed listening to it on a long car trip.
January 17, 2013
(Kindle edition) This is a historical romance set in 1900, when the "Three Cents Store" still existed. It's a clean romance between a young woman who runs a boarding house and her hardworking, helpful boarder, a minister with an extremely big heart. Their relationship is heart-warming, but even more heartwarming is the STORY of her dysfunctional boarders, and how they benefit from Celia's tender loving care.
I love Grace Livingston Hill's work and had never heard of this book until my sister found it for a dollar on Kindle. I'm so glad that I read it! We had just finished listening to a song on Christian radio called Save a Life by Manic Drive. The story exactly parallels this song! Celia is living in a poor boarding house in Philadelphia. Her aunt Hannah sends her a Bible verse for her birthday, and Celia decides to try and follow the advice given in it. She has just received a small inheritance, and she uses it to bring aunt Hannah and her friend Molly to the city, and together they try to bring a little of Christ into the lives of the boarding house people. Sometimes Celia loses heart because it doesn't seem as if she's making any headway in these peoples' lives, but her aunt keeps encouraging her with Scriptural examples of how Christ never gives up on us. Even though this book was written in 1900, it sure is true of our mindsets today. How often we start to extend a helping hand to someone, only to become discouraged just because things aren't progressing just as we thought they ought to. We've forgotten to bathe it in prayer; we've forgotten to let the Holy Spirit lead, we've forgotten about the wiles of our greatest enemy, Satan. This book dealt with so many of the downfalls that people deal with today; alcohol, false friends, laziness, poor choices in decisions, death, and listening to the world instead of to God. Celia and her aunt have their work cut out for them, but the Lord does provide the means if you just keep putting it in His hands and keep trying to "save a life" by doing the small things--such as a good meal, a friendly word, or teaching them how to do something, and letting God tell you when the time is right to invite them to church with you, or tell them about prayer, or show them the Bible, or share your own life-story with them. All this was in the book-very uplifting and inspiring. As an added bonus, you get to see what life was like in that time, which GLH always does extremely well. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks Grace!
I love Grace Livingston Hill's work and had never heard of this book until my sister found it for a dollar on Kindle. I'm so glad that I read it! We had just finished listening to a song on Christian radio called Save a Life by Manic Drive. The story exactly parallels this song! Celia is living in a poor boarding house in Philadelphia. Her aunt Hannah sends her a Bible verse for her birthday, and Celia decides to try and follow the advice given in it. She has just received a small inheritance, and she uses it to bring aunt Hannah and her friend Molly to the city, and together they try to bring a little of Christ into the lives of the boarding house people. Sometimes Celia loses heart because it doesn't seem as if she's making any headway in these peoples' lives, but her aunt keeps encouraging her with Scriptural examples of how Christ never gives up on us. Even though this book was written in 1900, it sure is true of our mindsets today. How often we start to extend a helping hand to someone, only to become discouraged just because things aren't progressing just as we thought they ought to. We've forgotten to bathe it in prayer; we've forgotten to let the Holy Spirit lead, we've forgotten about the wiles of our greatest enemy, Satan. This book dealt with so many of the downfalls that people deal with today; alcohol, false friends, laziness, poor choices in decisions, death, and listening to the world instead of to God. Celia and her aunt have their work cut out for them, but the Lord does provide the means if you just keep putting it in His hands and keep trying to "save a life" by doing the small things--such as a good meal, a friendly word, or teaching them how to do something, and letting God tell you when the time is right to invite them to church with you, or tell them about prayer, or show them the Bible, or share your own life-story with them. All this was in the book-very uplifting and inspiring. As an added bonus, you get to see what life was like in that time, which GLH always does extremely well. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks Grace!
May 4, 2022
I really liked some things about the book, but I felt like that little romance in the end felt very rushed and it would have been better left out. Also it was a bit too preachy for me. I'm always a little afraid to admit that I prefer books that don't focus on Christianity as a main plot point for the characters in the story because then I'll seem ungodly or whatever.
But, in honestly, if I need spiritual encouragement I'll just go read the Bible or a devotional. I don't need to be reading about people in books relying on God. Does that make sense?
But, in honestly, if I need spiritual encouragement I'll just go read the Bible or a devotional. I don't need to be reading about people in books relying on God. Does that make sense?
December 30, 2024
I love these old fashioned books. So sweet. :)
June 16, 2015
Celia Murray is trying to make ends meet, working as a ribbon girl in a store and living in a cheap boardinghouse. Her maiden aunt Hannah is living with a niece, where she is unappreciated and overworked. When Celia comes into an unexpected inheritance, she sets her sights on improving the boardinghouse and her aunt's life. In the process, she learns to trust in God for her daily needs while helping others with their problems.
This novel was written in 1900, and is of a very different style than a reader might expect today. As a Christian author, Hill uses Scripture and moral poems frequently to make her points. Her ability to make the characters realistic, even for a modern reader, saves this novel from being too heavy-handed.
This novel was written in 1900, and is of a very different style than a reader might expect today. As a Christian author, Hill uses Scripture and moral poems frequently to make her points. Her ability to make the characters realistic, even for a modern reader, saves this novel from being too heavy-handed.
May 7, 2017
This is one of my favorite GLH books. Such a sweet story about a young girl in the big city. When her fortunes change, she finds herself the owner of a boarding house. She and her aunt decide to bring it back to its former glory days. I think GLH is at her best when she is writing about homemaking and the love and attention it requires. Of course, there is romance involved.
It's an easy read and an enjoyable one, too.
It's an easy read and an enjoyable one, too.
October 24, 2015
Blessed anew every time I read it.
I have read this book multiple times and never fail to be comforted by it. Our failure to trust Him is the cause of much of our stress and the author delivers that lesson in a delightful story. A very good read indeed.
I have read this book multiple times and never fail to be comforted by it. Our failure to trust Him is the cause of much of our stress and the author delivers that lesson in a delightful story. A very good read indeed.
January 27, 2015
Old fashion Christian literature at its best.
January 13, 2015
One of Grace L. Hill's better books. I love the old fashioned settings mixed with timeless truths about faith, character, and a genuine love for others.
April 8, 2015
Pretty old fashioned but interesting to see how people thought back then.
June 26, 2017
This book was such a sweet GLH. Of coarse, I haven't know many that aren't. The theme was very good, and I loved the characters.
August 2, 2023
Celia Murray is a lonely young lady in the big city of Philadelphia, who works at a ribbon counter and lives in a cheap boardinghouse. She'd love nothing more to than to bring her aunt Hannah to live with her. Hannah had raised her after her own parents' death, and is now stuck with Celia's ungrateful cousin Nettie, her husband, and her bratty kids out in the suburbs. Celia discovers that she is the heir of a family legacy from her late father's great uncle, which will give her enough income to buy the boardinghouse that she's living in and bring her aunt Hannah out to run it. Together, they plan on starting a little mission in the heart of the city: they'll fix up the boardinghouse, give the boarders decent meals and a nice place to live, and will encourage them to find religion. Their cause is greatly helped when one of the first new boarders to arrive is Horace Stafford, a missionary minister who's planting a new church nearby.
Aunt Hannah reminded me strongly of Aunt Crete. She's a kindly woman who has been sorely tried and tested by ungrateful relatives for most of her life. Hannah had planned to become a missionary as a young woman, with her theology student fiancé, before said fiancé's tragic death after he graduated from seminary. Once upon a time she wanted to go and save foreign heathens; she's delighted by the idea of having the chance to save some native heathens instead. She jumps in with two feet to make over the boardinghouse and minister to the boarders, of whom she grows quite fond.
Celia, on the other hand, basically falls at the first hurdle. She can talk the talk but she fails quite miserably at walking the walk. One of the boarders comes home drunk one night, and she's so horrified and afraid that she roundly ignores him, a young man she'd previously been quite friendly with. She overhears Horace talking to him and is unhappy that they are laughing together - Celia believes he should be preaching at him about his sins. Aunt Hannah tries to interest Celia in helping another of their boarders, a very young girl who works in a three-cent store and seems to admire Celia, but Celia is disdainful of her (the girl asks for beauty tips, how dare she!) and more or less only grudgingly assists her, all the time whining about how this is no way to bring new souls over to God. Aunt Hannah tries to explain that God works in mysterious ways, but for most of the book, Celia is having none of that.
She also makes a complete cake of herself, because she finds a picture of a beautiful young woman in Horace Stafford's room and immediately assumes that this is his sweetheart, so she acts cold and distant around him even though she's in love with him. When one of the boarders tells her that it'd be nice if they got married, Celia gets actively angry at the idea. Of course, the girl in the picture is not Horace's sweetheart, and Celia - quite rightly! - feels like a complete idiot when she learns the truth.
The boarders are a found family, and I enjoyed the parts of the story about fixing up the boardinghouse. I really liked aunt Hannah; if she had been the main character instead of Celia, my rating would've been higher. There are strands of romance, mostly blink-and-you'll-miss-them, but what's there is sweet.
This was originally published in 1900 by the American Sunday School Union, which should tell you all you need to know, LOL. This is one of GLH's earliest works and oof, does it show. It's almost written like fanfic, with long quoted passages of verses, songs, poems, etc. There's even a note at the beginning from GLH's daughter, warning readers that it's an early work and that her mother hadn't yet "developed her mature writing style" o.O I'd say that this one is for GLH completionists only.
Aunt Hannah reminded me strongly of Aunt Crete. She's a kindly woman who has been sorely tried and tested by ungrateful relatives for most of her life. Hannah had planned to become a missionary as a young woman, with her theology student fiancé, before said fiancé's tragic death after he graduated from seminary. Once upon a time she wanted to go and save foreign heathens; she's delighted by the idea of having the chance to save some native heathens instead. She jumps in with two feet to make over the boardinghouse and minister to the boarders, of whom she grows quite fond.
Celia, on the other hand, basically falls at the first hurdle. She can talk the talk but she fails quite miserably at walking the walk. One of the boarders comes home drunk one night, and she's so horrified and afraid that she roundly ignores him, a young man she'd previously been quite friendly with. She overhears Horace talking to him and is unhappy that they are laughing together - Celia believes he should be preaching at him about his sins. Aunt Hannah tries to interest Celia in helping another of their boarders, a very young girl who works in a three-cent store and seems to admire Celia, but Celia is disdainful of her (the girl asks for beauty tips, how dare she!) and more or less only grudgingly assists her, all the time whining about how this is no way to bring new souls over to God. Aunt Hannah tries to explain that God works in mysterious ways, but for most of the book, Celia is having none of that.
She also makes a complete cake of herself, because she finds a picture of a beautiful young woman in Horace Stafford's room and immediately assumes that this is his sweetheart, so she acts cold and distant around him even though she's in love with him. When one of the boarders tells her that it'd be nice if they got married, Celia gets actively angry at the idea. Of course, the girl in the picture is not Horace's sweetheart, and Celia - quite rightly! - feels like a complete idiot when she learns the truth.
The boarders are a found family, and I enjoyed the parts of the story about fixing up the boardinghouse. I really liked aunt Hannah; if she had been the main character instead of Celia, my rating would've been higher. There are strands of romance, mostly blink-and-you'll-miss-them, but what's there is sweet.
This was originally published in 1900 by the American Sunday School Union, which should tell you all you need to know, LOL. This is one of GLH's earliest works and oof, does it show. It's almost written like fanfic, with long quoted passages of verses, songs, poems, etc. There's even a note at the beginning from GLH's daughter, warning readers that it's an early work and that her mother hadn't yet "developed her mature writing style" o.O I'd say that this one is for GLH completionists only.
June 14, 2022
"God's plans for thee are graciously unfolding and leaf by leaf they blossom perfectly."
-Grace Livingston Hill, in A Daily Rate
What a sweet story - and the start of the era of Christian fiction! I'd never read a book by Grace Livingston Hill before so I did some research and learned about her life and the 100+ novels she wrote. By great good fortune, this novel that came to me free of charge at Audible, was her first published, way back in 1900. Literature has come a long way since then, and though dated and sometimes stilted, and somehow ridiculously idealistic, this novel contains so much Christian wisdom it brought me a lot of joy. I feel unusually blessed for having read it.
In the story a rather piteous young woman named Celia Murray worked in Philadelphia selling ribbons as a store clerk. This was enough to pay her rent at the local boarding house, a dirty and dilapidated place full of unhappy people and bad food. But God had plans for Celia, and thanks to her wise and faithful Aunt Hannah, as well as others, her life was bound to change.
The novel is melodramatic at times, and Celia came across as being headstrong and demanding, telling others what they must do. However, she did it with love and wisdom, so that made it acceptable to the people she wanted to help.
This story is much more full of Christian wisdom than other more recently written Christian novels I've been reading this year. Since it was Grace Livingston Hill's first published novel I'm interested in exploring some of her later books to see how her writing might have changed over the years.
-Grace Livingston Hill, in A Daily Rate
What a sweet story - and the start of the era of Christian fiction! I'd never read a book by Grace Livingston Hill before so I did some research and learned about her life and the 100+ novels she wrote. By great good fortune, this novel that came to me free of charge at Audible, was her first published, way back in 1900. Literature has come a long way since then, and though dated and sometimes stilted, and somehow ridiculously idealistic, this novel contains so much Christian wisdom it brought me a lot of joy. I feel unusually blessed for having read it.
In the story a rather piteous young woman named Celia Murray worked in Philadelphia selling ribbons as a store clerk. This was enough to pay her rent at the local boarding house, a dirty and dilapidated place full of unhappy people and bad food. But God had plans for Celia, and thanks to her wise and faithful Aunt Hannah, as well as others, her life was bound to change.
The novel is melodramatic at times, and Celia came across as being headstrong and demanding, telling others what they must do. However, she did it with love and wisdom, so that made it acceptable to the people she wanted to help.
This story is much more full of Christian wisdom than other more recently written Christian novels I've been reading this year. Since it was Grace Livingston Hill's first published novel I'm interested in exploring some of her later books to see how her writing might have changed over the years.
January 6, 2025
Almost like a more modern version of a Pansy book. Not quite, but there were times I recognized the influence Grace Livingston Hill’s aunt had on her and her writing. The Christian aspect of the story was well done.
This was a good story, one that had a lot of heart. I did a little frustrated at Celia for making assumptions about someone and so treating that person differently than she would have otherwise, but it all worked out in the end. I enjoyed seeing the changes not just in the boarding house, but in the lives of different characters.
The romance was only a small part of the story and sweet and clean.
This was a good story, one that had a lot of heart. I did a little frustrated at Celia for making assumptions about someone and so treating that person differently than she would have otherwise, but it all worked out in the end. I enjoyed seeing the changes not just in the boarding house, but in the lives of different characters.
The romance was only a small part of the story and sweet and clean.
Read
November 12, 2022I finished the last D. E. Stevenson just after midnight, and then I put this on to go to sleep by. This normally works like a charm. I finally fell asleep at about 8 a.m. 😑
It was sweet, but I have to confess to LOLing at some of the uberpiety. Just a wee bit over the top.
A couple of characters worked at a three-cent store. By my early days they were five-and-dimes or just dime stores, though not much cost so little. Then they jumped to dollar stores, and now the dollar stores are charging a buck twenty-five.
It was sweet, but I have to confess to LOLing at some of the uberpiety. Just a wee bit over the top.
A couple of characters worked at a three-cent store. By my early days they were five-and-dimes or just dime stores, though not much cost so little. Then they jumped to dollar stores, and now the dollar stores are charging a buck twenty-five.
October 15, 2021
I quite liked this book. My only criticism is I didn’t really feel the couples’ chemistry. Their relationship was entirely undeveloped in my opinion. I was just sort of shocked when they suddenly were a couple and frankly probably would have been fine with the book if there had never been a main couple.
June 10, 2020
I didn't like this book nearly as much as some of Hill's other books (and I've been in a rut reading a TON of her stuff lately - Thanks Project Gutenberg- so I feel like I have a little perspective). Compared with her classic - The Enchanted Barn - this one just felt so flat. The main character was ok - I definitely feel like she was relatable in a lot of her anxiety - probably more so even at the time this was written; however she changed opinions so much that I got a bad case of whiplash trying to keep up with her current moods! Does she feel like helping her fellow boarders today? Or is she going to be a snob? Does she like the preacher? Or can she not stand him? Maybe she is too real, and as I've been reading a lot of books from the turn of the 20th century, I'm expecting my heroines to be a little too perfect. Regardless, this review is my own, and she annoyed the crap out of me by the end. I felt like it was a waste of a good book, though, because there was so much potential. She was a nice character at the beginning, and I felt like it was going to be great, but then I hated her snobbery towards Mamie and her unforgiving attitude toward Harry (although she definitely changed). And then her random engagement to the minister...don't even get me started! I know that romance was not written on the page often in older books (remember, I've been reading a lot of them lately - just check out my goodreads history!) and I do realize that it was hinted at - but it just seemed like it happened ridiculously fast. You knew it was coming because...predictability...but if it wasn't for that, you'd have never seen it coming. (side note: it's like the time my best friend and my husband's best friend decided to start dating...they broke the news to us one evening and it was rather shocking...you see, while we loved them both and knew they were hanging out, it was just completely random! They had nothing in common and had barely started hanging out! We didn't really see them together and it was a shock. Not surprisingly, they broke up 6 months later, but you see my point. When you don't see things coming, it is a shock, even if you see them coming.)
All that to say...this is not one of my favorite books by this author. If you want a great turn of the century novel, try The Enchanted Barn by Hill or He Fell in Love with His Wife by Roe. Skip this one and read something better!
All that to say...this is not one of my favorite books by this author. If you want a great turn of the century novel, try The Enchanted Barn by Hill or He Fell in Love with His Wife by Roe. Skip this one and read something better!
August 20, 2020
Audiobook read by Susan O'Malley, who I thought was the perfect narrator for any Grace Livingston Hill heroine. I'd easily recommend the audiobook. I did not realize this was one of GLH's earliest titles until I picked up a paperback to copy a few quotes. This had all of the comforting domestic details and faith messages I want when I pick up one of her books.
(Verse for this book: 2 Kings 25:30).
And so she hurried on, tugging after her the heavy cross which she had carefully made that morning for herself to carry, out of bits of her own and other people's troubles, and letting it spoil the sweet peace God had sent her, and soil the clean heart he had washed from sin for her. (Ch 6)
Would there be trials? Yes, but there had been trials before. She would have "his strength to bear them, with his might her feet could be shod. She could find her resting-places in the promises of her God," as she had done before. … Of course there were trials, she expected that, earth was full of them; but she did not need to carry them; Christ had borne them all for her long ago. She would trust and he would bring her safely through as he had done before and was doing now. (Ch 10)
"Now child! Don't go into your cellar of despair again. It's like some people's cyclone cellars out West, always there ready for you, and you fly down the stairs at sign of the first little cloud that appears in your sky. Can't you remember we have a heavenly Father who is looking out for us? Get a little more trust, dear." (Ch 14)
(Verse for this book: 2 Kings 25:30).
And so she hurried on, tugging after her the heavy cross which she had carefully made that morning for herself to carry, out of bits of her own and other people's troubles, and letting it spoil the sweet peace God had sent her, and soil the clean heart he had washed from sin for her. (Ch 6)
Would there be trials? Yes, but there had been trials before. She would have "his strength to bear them, with his might her feet could be shod. She could find her resting-places in the promises of her God," as she had done before. … Of course there were trials, she expected that, earth was full of them; but she did not need to carry them; Christ had borne them all for her long ago. She would trust and he would bring her safely through as he had done before and was doing now. (Ch 10)
"Now child! Don't go into your cellar of despair again. It's like some people's cyclone cellars out West, always there ready for you, and you fly down the stairs at sign of the first little cloud that appears in your sky. Can't you remember we have a heavenly Father who is looking out for us? Get a little more trust, dear." (Ch 14)
July 21, 2022
Another wonderful romantic religious story with more Christian charity and living compared to some of her other stories. The mystery of some of the boarders made it more engaging. The message of taking things daily and trusting in Christ was a beautiful lesson. I always feel so uplifted after reading one of her novels.
Story in short- Celia has moved to the city for work. Alone in a depressing atmosphere of her boarding house and trying to put on a brave face, until a surprise changes everything.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12543
The world would not have looked quite so dreary to her perhaps, if it had not been her birthday. Somehow one persists in expecting something unusual to happen on a birthday, no matter how many times one has had nothing but disappointment. Not that Celia Murray was really expecting anything, even a letter,
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12545
on this birthday, though she did stand shivering in the half light of the dim, forlorn front room that served as a parlor for Mrs. Morris’ boarding-house, watching for the postman to reach their door. She did it merely because she wished to be near, to get the letter at once,—provided there was a letter,—and not that she really hoped for one.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12577
Celia sighed as she looked about and took it all in once more. It was a dreary place. She had been in it but a week. Would she ever get used to it? She did not curl her lip in scorn as many other girls would have done over that room and its furnishings. Neither did she feel that utter distaste that is akin to hatred. Instead was a kind of pity in her heart for it all, and for the poor lonely creatures who had no other
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12580
place to call home. Where there is such pity, there is sometimes love not far away.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12605
On the side table was a row of plates each containing a slim, thin piece of pale-crusted pie, its interior being dark and of an undefined character. Celia tried to eat. The dishes were not all clean. Her spoon had a sticky handle and so had her fork. The silver was all worn off the blade of her knife, and she could not help thinking that perhaps it was done by being constantly used to convey food to the mouth of the brakeman with the tenor voice.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert ❌❌❌❌
I was thinking this story was going to lack a romantic angle and I was happy it finally appeared. I loved the idea of having both Hannah and Molly join Celia in changing over the boarding house. I was glad that Mamie had changed and accepted Christ. At times I found Celia too standoffish in helping where it was not comfortable, but thankfully her aunt directed her in the right direction. I was happy Mamie found true love instead of chasing after someone not deserving. I found it strange that both Mamie and Carrie took so little care of their appearance, thankfully Mamie changed her ways. I wonder what happened to Carrie after finding out her husband was already married. At first I thought Celia might falling love with one of the boarders, Harry Knowles or the school teacher but I was happy that she had found love with the minister. I loved that Mrs. Morris came back to make things right, though she did not have to, it was very sweet of her. Nettie and her husband were far too selfish and maybe they will see their ways to be better Christians. I loved that Celia and Horace are to live with Hannah after they marry.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12610
Little Miss Burns sat across the table from Celia. She was thin and nervous and laughed a good deal in an excited way, as if everything were unusually funny, and she were in a constant state of embarrassing apology. There were tired little lines around her eyes, and her mouth still wore a baby droop, though she
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12612
was well along in years. Celia noticed that she drank only a cup of tea and nibbled a cracker. She did not look well.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12617
Next to Miss Burns sat two young girls, clerks in a three-cent store. They carried a good deal of would-be style, and wore many bright rings on their grimy fingers, whose nails were never cleaned nor cut apparently—except by their teeth. These girls were rather pretty in a coarse way, and laughed and talked a good deal in loud tones with the
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12619
tenor brakeman, whose name was Bob Yates, and with the other young men boarders. These young men were respectively a clerk in a department store, a student in the University, and a young teacher in the public schools. Celia noticed that neither the student nor the school-teacher ate heartily, and that the young dry goods salesman had a hollow cough.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12628
Mrs. Morris came into the dining-room when the pie was being served. She was large and worried-looking, and wore a soiled calico wrapper without a collar. Her hair had not been combed since morning and some locks had escaped in
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12630
her neck and on her forehead and added to her generally dejected appearance.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12638
Aunt Hannah was well, but very busy, for Nettie’s children were all down with whooping cough and the baby had been quite sick, poor little thing, and she had no time to write. Hiram, Nettie’s husband, too, had been ill and laid up for a week, so aunt Hannah had been nursing night and day.
Highlight (Yellow) and Note | Location 12647
“Charge not thyself with the weight of a year, Child of the Master, faithful and dear, Choose not the cross for the coming week, For that is more than he bids thee seek. Bend not thine arms for to-morrow’s load, Thou mayest leave that to thy gracious God, Daily, only he says to thee, ‘Take up thy cross and follow me.’”
*** Celia Murray has lived in a boarding house for a week and she hoped her birthday was remembered by her family. Her aunt Hannah has written her telling her about Nettie having illness at her home and having to live there too. Why Celia had to move is unclear. All the boarders seem to be in the need of some pity, the food is far from appetizing as well as the boarding house's appearance.
Story in short- Celia has moved to the city for work. Alone in a depressing atmosphere of her boarding house and trying to put on a brave face, until a surprise changes everything.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12543
The world would not have looked quite so dreary to her perhaps, if it had not been her birthday. Somehow one persists in expecting something unusual to happen on a birthday, no matter how many times one has had nothing but disappointment. Not that Celia Murray was really expecting anything, even a letter,
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12545
on this birthday, though she did stand shivering in the half light of the dim, forlorn front room that served as a parlor for Mrs. Morris’ boarding-house, watching for the postman to reach their door. She did it merely because she wished to be near, to get the letter at once,—provided there was a letter,—and not that she really hoped for one.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12577
Celia sighed as she looked about and took it all in once more. It was a dreary place. She had been in it but a week. Would she ever get used to it? She did not curl her lip in scorn as many other girls would have done over that room and its furnishings. Neither did she feel that utter distaste that is akin to hatred. Instead was a kind of pity in her heart for it all, and for the poor lonely creatures who had no other
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12580
place to call home. Where there is such pity, there is sometimes love not far away.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12605
On the side table was a row of plates each containing a slim, thin piece of pale-crusted pie, its interior being dark and of an undefined character. Celia tried to eat. The dishes were not all clean. Her spoon had a sticky handle and so had her fork. The silver was all worn off the blade of her knife, and she could not help thinking that perhaps it was done by being constantly used to convey food to the mouth of the brakeman with the tenor voice.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert ❌❌❌❌
I was thinking this story was going to lack a romantic angle and I was happy it finally appeared. I loved the idea of having both Hannah and Molly join Celia in changing over the boarding house. I was glad that Mamie had changed and accepted Christ. At times I found Celia too standoffish in helping where it was not comfortable, but thankfully her aunt directed her in the right direction. I was happy Mamie found true love instead of chasing after someone not deserving. I found it strange that both Mamie and Carrie took so little care of their appearance, thankfully Mamie changed her ways. I wonder what happened to Carrie after finding out her husband was already married. At first I thought Celia might falling love with one of the boarders, Harry Knowles or the school teacher but I was happy that she had found love with the minister. I loved that Mrs. Morris came back to make things right, though she did not have to, it was very sweet of her. Nettie and her husband were far too selfish and maybe they will see their ways to be better Christians. I loved that Celia and Horace are to live with Hannah after they marry.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12610
Little Miss Burns sat across the table from Celia. She was thin and nervous and laughed a good deal in an excited way, as if everything were unusually funny, and she were in a constant state of embarrassing apology. There were tired little lines around her eyes, and her mouth still wore a baby droop, though she
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12612
was well along in years. Celia noticed that she drank only a cup of tea and nibbled a cracker. She did not look well.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12617
Next to Miss Burns sat two young girls, clerks in a three-cent store. They carried a good deal of would-be style, and wore many bright rings on their grimy fingers, whose nails were never cleaned nor cut apparently—except by their teeth. These girls were rather pretty in a coarse way, and laughed and talked a good deal in loud tones with the
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12619
tenor brakeman, whose name was Bob Yates, and with the other young men boarders. These young men were respectively a clerk in a department store, a student in the University, and a young teacher in the public schools. Celia noticed that neither the student nor the school-teacher ate heartily, and that the young dry goods salesman had a hollow cough.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12628
Mrs. Morris came into the dining-room when the pie was being served. She was large and worried-looking, and wore a soiled calico wrapper without a collar. Her hair had not been combed since morning and some locks had escaped in
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12630
her neck and on her forehead and added to her generally dejected appearance.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 12638
Aunt Hannah was well, but very busy, for Nettie’s children were all down with whooping cough and the baby had been quite sick, poor little thing, and she had no time to write. Hiram, Nettie’s husband, too, had been ill and laid up for a week, so aunt Hannah had been nursing night and day.
Highlight (Yellow) and Note | Location 12647
“Charge not thyself with the weight of a year, Child of the Master, faithful and dear, Choose not the cross for the coming week, For that is more than he bids thee seek. Bend not thine arms for to-morrow’s load, Thou mayest leave that to thy gracious God, Daily, only he says to thee, ‘Take up thy cross and follow me.’”
*** Celia Murray has lived in a boarding house for a week and she hoped her birthday was remembered by her family. Her aunt Hannah has written her telling her about Nettie having illness at her home and having to live there too. Why Celia had to move is unclear. All the boarders seem to be in the need of some pity, the food is far from appetizing as well as the boarding house's appearance.
February 19, 2016
This one was a bit more...preachy. But sometimes, we need something preachy. I was reminded throughout to cast my cares on Jesus and that I may plant the seed, but God waters it. So, I came away encouraged to keep doing my best for Christ. The plot was okay, it just got a bit slow and wordy at times.
July 5, 2009
Yeah, ok, I'm a little scattered right now! I have 3 books going in 3 different genres! All very good...
January 8, 2022
The parts about daily life in the boarding house in 1900 was more interesting than the moralizing.
February 20, 2023
If you don't want to be reminded of God, of Jesus, of Christ, on every page of the book you may not want to read A Daily Rate by Grace Livingston Hill. I haven't yet read a biography on the author, but I can tell you without a doubt that this lady was a Christian. She still is I suppose since I see no reason you would stop being a Christian just because you have died. This is the fourth or fifth book of hers that I have read and is the most "Christian" of them all, at least it is the one that talks the most about Christ and having faith in Him. And so I greatly enjoyed it, I find I need a lot of time with Jesus lately and I loved every page, you may not. I needed to spend my time with the Lord, this book helped me do it. And now to the story.
Celia has lost both her mother and father and has been living with her uncle and cousins. Now her uncle has died and her cousins? Well, she now has come to the city to see if she can make a living on her own, her cousins aren't interested in having her around:
The three boys all had good positions and could support themselves. But what of aunt Hannah and Celia? Nettie and Hiram had taken aunt Hannah into their family, ill-disguising the fact that she was asked because of the help she could give in bringing up and caring for the children, but Celia had understood from the first that there was no place for her.
And she does find a job. But the story isn't where she works, it's where she lives. A boarding house that sounds completely awful. There are for example, the meals they are fed:
The meals in the house were not too tempting at any time. The coarse tablecloth was none of the cleanest. In fact, it reminded one of former breakfasts and dinners. There were plates of heavy, sour-looking bread at either end of the table. The butter looked mussy and uninviting. The inevitable, scanty supply of prunes stood before the plate of the young German clerk. There was a stew for dinner that night. Celia dreaded stews since the night of her arrival when she had found a long curly hair on her plate in the gravy. There were such possibilities of utility in a stew. It was brought on in little thick white dishes, doled out in exact portions. A girl brought each one a small spoonful of canned corn, but it was cold and scarcely cooked at all. On the side table was a row of plates each containing a slim, thin piece of pale-crusted pie, its interior being dark and of an undefined character. The dishes were not all clean. Her spoon had a sticky handle and so had her fork.
Celia sits at the table not eating, amusing herself imaging how she would like to plan and make the meals for the other boarders:
Celia noticed that neither the student nor the school-teacher ate heartily, and that the young dry goods salesman had a hollow cough. How nice it would be if they all could have a good dinner just for once, soup and roast beef, and good bread and vegetables, with a delicious old-fashioned apple dumpling smoking hot, such as her aunt Hannah could make. How she would enjoy giving it to the all.
And before long she just may get her chance. Because before long she finds the owner of this lovely place, Mrs. Morris, wants to go visit her sister out west and never come back. She learns this while taking care of the sick woman, and here we are told about her belief in Christ:
Celia sat there gradually taking in the fact that she was left to sit up all night with this sick woman, an utter stranger to her. It was scarcely what she would choose as a pleasant task. But she recognized it as the cross the Master had lain upon her with His own hand, and there was a sense of sweetness in performing this duty which she would not have had otherwise. It occurred to her that it was well this was Saturday night instead of some other, for she could ill afford to sit up and lose all her sleep when she had to stand at the counter all the next day. She smiled to herself in the dim light and thought this must be part of the Master's plan to fix it so that she could do this duty and her others also. This was all he asked her to do, just what she had strength for. He gave her the daily allowance of that.
And then an inheritance from some long lost relative she never heard of comes her way. And she writes to her Aunt Hannah who is still living with the cousin who wanted nothing to do with Celia, and asks her aunt to come help her run the boarding house. And between the two of them Mrs. Morris's boarding house becomes a fine place to live, with meals you can not only eat but enjoy. With rooms that are clean, and bright, and cheerful. With more than one romance. And above all, with the Lord. Keep that in mind if you decide to read it. I enjoyed it and like to be reminded of Christ as often as I can be, and I will be reading more of her books. There seems to be a lot of them, although I haven't looked up how many. For now I am moving on to my next book. Enjoy whatever you may be reading right now.
Celia has lost both her mother and father and has been living with her uncle and cousins. Now her uncle has died and her cousins? Well, she now has come to the city to see if she can make a living on her own, her cousins aren't interested in having her around:
The three boys all had good positions and could support themselves. But what of aunt Hannah and Celia? Nettie and Hiram had taken aunt Hannah into their family, ill-disguising the fact that she was asked because of the help she could give in bringing up and caring for the children, but Celia had understood from the first that there was no place for her.
And she does find a job. But the story isn't where she works, it's where she lives. A boarding house that sounds completely awful. There are for example, the meals they are fed:
The meals in the house were not too tempting at any time. The coarse tablecloth was none of the cleanest. In fact, it reminded one of former breakfasts and dinners. There were plates of heavy, sour-looking bread at either end of the table. The butter looked mussy and uninviting. The inevitable, scanty supply of prunes stood before the plate of the young German clerk. There was a stew for dinner that night. Celia dreaded stews since the night of her arrival when she had found a long curly hair on her plate in the gravy. There were such possibilities of utility in a stew. It was brought on in little thick white dishes, doled out in exact portions. A girl brought each one a small spoonful of canned corn, but it was cold and scarcely cooked at all. On the side table was a row of plates each containing a slim, thin piece of pale-crusted pie, its interior being dark and of an undefined character. The dishes were not all clean. Her spoon had a sticky handle and so had her fork.
Celia sits at the table not eating, amusing herself imaging how she would like to plan and make the meals for the other boarders:
Celia noticed that neither the student nor the school-teacher ate heartily, and that the young dry goods salesman had a hollow cough. How nice it would be if they all could have a good dinner just for once, soup and roast beef, and good bread and vegetables, with a delicious old-fashioned apple dumpling smoking hot, such as her aunt Hannah could make. How she would enjoy giving it to the all.
And before long she just may get her chance. Because before long she finds the owner of this lovely place, Mrs. Morris, wants to go visit her sister out west and never come back. She learns this while taking care of the sick woman, and here we are told about her belief in Christ:
Celia sat there gradually taking in the fact that she was left to sit up all night with this sick woman, an utter stranger to her. It was scarcely what she would choose as a pleasant task. But she recognized it as the cross the Master had lain upon her with His own hand, and there was a sense of sweetness in performing this duty which she would not have had otherwise. It occurred to her that it was well this was Saturday night instead of some other, for she could ill afford to sit up and lose all her sleep when she had to stand at the counter all the next day. She smiled to herself in the dim light and thought this must be part of the Master's plan to fix it so that she could do this duty and her others also. This was all he asked her to do, just what she had strength for. He gave her the daily allowance of that.
And then an inheritance from some long lost relative she never heard of comes her way. And she writes to her Aunt Hannah who is still living with the cousin who wanted nothing to do with Celia, and asks her aunt to come help her run the boarding house. And between the two of them Mrs. Morris's boarding house becomes a fine place to live, with meals you can not only eat but enjoy. With rooms that are clean, and bright, and cheerful. With more than one romance. And above all, with the Lord. Keep that in mind if you decide to read it. I enjoyed it and like to be reminded of Christ as often as I can be, and I will be reading more of her books. There seems to be a lot of them, although I haven't looked up how many. For now I am moving on to my next book. Enjoy whatever you may be reading right now.
November 8, 2022
Celia Murray lives in a Philadelphia boarding house. She and the other residents put up with awful food and shabby surroundings. She’s concerned about one of the younger men who is hanging out with the wrong crowd in the evenings. A couple of the young women seem giggly and frivolous and into nothing more than dating and novels. Celia wishes she could fix up the place and make it more home-like. Perhaps then some of the others would stay in for more wholesome activities.
Celia would also love to bring her Aunt Hannah to live with her. Aunt Hannah had raised Celia when her parents died. Then Hannah had taken in some other nieces ad nephews as well, but they didn’t seem to appreciate her efforts as much. Due to reduced circumstances, Hannah now lives with another niece who treats her as an unpaid servant and baby-sitter.
When Celia comes into an unexpected small inheritance at the same time her landlady has to take a leave due to medical problems, Celia is able to make both dreams come true. She brings Aunt Hannah to help her “mission of making one bright little clean home spot for a few people who had hitherto been in discomfort.” They start small with a few touches here and there, but the biggest change is in providing nourishing food in a clean and attractive setting.
Though Celia has good intentions, she comes across as somewhat judgmental. Plus she is impatient. When her efforts appear to fail, she wants to give up. But Hannah gently helps her gain the right perspective.
One level of the plot has to do with the transformation of the home and boarders, but another level focuses on Celia’s maturing.
A Daily Rate was one of Hill’s earliest novels, written in 1900. The Search, mentioned yesterday, was written 19 years later. Like any author, Hill’s growth as a writer can be seen in her later book. But this one was good as well. It was fun in both books to hear the slang of the day and to get picture of life in that era.
I especially appreciated the emphasis in A Daily Rate on how homemaking can be a ministry to a home’s inhabitants. Even though that’s my chosen profession, I can still get caught up in all the “stuff” that has to be done and have not the best attitude about it. It helps to be reminded that the “stuff” of housekeeping isn’t an end in itself.
Celia would also love to bring her Aunt Hannah to live with her. Aunt Hannah had raised Celia when her parents died. Then Hannah had taken in some other nieces ad nephews as well, but they didn’t seem to appreciate her efforts as much. Due to reduced circumstances, Hannah now lives with another niece who treats her as an unpaid servant and baby-sitter.
When Celia comes into an unexpected small inheritance at the same time her landlady has to take a leave due to medical problems, Celia is able to make both dreams come true. She brings Aunt Hannah to help her “mission of making one bright little clean home spot for a few people who had hitherto been in discomfort.” They start small with a few touches here and there, but the biggest change is in providing nourishing food in a clean and attractive setting.
Though Celia has good intentions, she comes across as somewhat judgmental. Plus she is impatient. When her efforts appear to fail, she wants to give up. But Hannah gently helps her gain the right perspective.
One level of the plot has to do with the transformation of the home and boarders, but another level focuses on Celia’s maturing.
A Daily Rate was one of Hill’s earliest novels, written in 1900. The Search, mentioned yesterday, was written 19 years later. Like any author, Hill’s growth as a writer can be seen in her later book. But this one was good as well. It was fun in both books to hear the slang of the day and to get picture of life in that era.
I especially appreciated the emphasis in A Daily Rate on how homemaking can be a ministry to a home’s inhabitants. Even though that’s my chosen profession, I can still get caught up in all the “stuff” that has to be done and have not the best attitude about it. It helps to be reminded that the “stuff” of housekeeping isn’t an end in itself.
May 3, 2024
“The white ribbon was of satin and bore these words: ‘His allowance was a daily allowance…a daily rate. 2 Kings xxv.30…This was all he asked her to do, just what she had strength for. He gave her the daily allowance of that.”
When Celia Murray discovers that her uncle has left her an inheritance, “she had taken with joy the few words [her aunt] Miss Hannah had spoken to her about the mission they were going to try to start, the mission of making one bright little clean home spot for a few people who had hitherto been in discomfort…To be strictly honest as a boarding-house, and not a charitable institution, we ought to run it on what is paid…I would like to prove that a boarding-house can be comfortable as well as cheap.”
“Two lone women can’t take mortar and bricks and build a church and preach…Why shouldn't you and I make a real home mission for ourselves right here in the city of Philadelphia, by making a good home for a few people who have none of their own? It seems to me there is as much gospel sometimes in a good sweet loaf of bread such as you can make, as there is in–well–some sermons…we could get ahold on the people who ate it, and get them to go to the churches, and try to help them in their everyday lives.”
“She thanked her heavenly Father every hour, even for the dirt and desolation of the place, because he had given to her the sweet privilege of brightening a place that had hitherto been dark.” “By making herself sweet and clean, she was coming nearer to the kingdom of God than she had ever yet been.”
While I disagree with the theology, I was inspired by aunt Hannah, “this missionary of the Most High…she had never married, she was simply aunt Hannah, an excellent housekeeper, and the best substitute for a mother one could imagine.”
For Grace Livingston Hill, “the most important thing she did was not write books but share the message of salvation, a message she felt God wanted her to share through the abilities God had given her.”
When Celia Murray discovers that her uncle has left her an inheritance, “she had taken with joy the few words [her aunt] Miss Hannah had spoken to her about the mission they were going to try to start, the mission of making one bright little clean home spot for a few people who had hitherto been in discomfort…To be strictly honest as a boarding-house, and not a charitable institution, we ought to run it on what is paid…I would like to prove that a boarding-house can be comfortable as well as cheap.”
“Two lone women can’t take mortar and bricks and build a church and preach…Why shouldn't you and I make a real home mission for ourselves right here in the city of Philadelphia, by making a good home for a few people who have none of their own? It seems to me there is as much gospel sometimes in a good sweet loaf of bread such as you can make, as there is in–well–some sermons…we could get ahold on the people who ate it, and get them to go to the churches, and try to help them in their everyday lives.”
“She thanked her heavenly Father every hour, even for the dirt and desolation of the place, because he had given to her the sweet privilege of brightening a place that had hitherto been dark.” “By making herself sweet and clean, she was coming nearer to the kingdom of God than she had ever yet been.”
While I disagree with the theology, I was inspired by aunt Hannah, “this missionary of the Most High…she had never married, she was simply aunt Hannah, an excellent housekeeper, and the best substitute for a mother one could imagine.”
For Grace Livingston Hill, “the most important thing she did was not write books but share the message of salvation, a message she felt God wanted her to share through the abilities God had given her.”
January 22, 2020
I found this book in a stack of old books in an old storage shed I was cleaning out that belonged to my favorite grandmother. I looked at the cover and thought oh that may be interesting, I'll give it a try. After I started to read it I wondered about the author and looked her up. She was born in 1865 and passed away in 1947. I learned that she was a very popular author and that she wrote over 100 novels, short stories, and numerous articles as well. She led the way for the genre of Christian Romance. I couldn't believe that a book that was first published in 1900 could be something that I enjoyed reading. I kept finding myself surprised that this book was written so long ago and yet it was so relatable to me. The writing and story felt so familiar and comfortable to me. By the time I finished it I felt myself smiling and felt a sense of peace (that you only get by reading a good book). I want to go and find all of her books and read them all. I have a feeling they will not be easy to find. The one I have is in very poor condition, to put it nicely if it was a person it would be elderly. It was trying to fall apart the whole time I was reading it so I tried to be veryyy gentle and baby it because the story was so good. I hope I can find more of her books. This was, so far, the best book I have read this year. There's a part of me that still can't believe I came across this diamond in the rough.
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