His Brother's Keeper

by Charles Monroe Sheldon, James Reimann (Editor)

In the stirring tradition of his classic "In His Steps" (over 30 million copies sold), this long unavailable, recently rediscovered, inspirational novel examines the lives of two men, one rich and one poor, who joined together to fulfill Christ's command to serve Him by ministering to "the least of these My brethren."

In the summer of 1895, the mining town of Champion was torn apart by a dispute between mine owners and miners. When the mine owners refused to raise the miners' wages, thousands went on strike. Stuart Duncan, a rich young mine owner, learns that he is truly his brother's keeper when a lifelong friend, Eric Vassall, helps him fulfill that responsibility in practical ways. Whereas "In His Steps" focuses on one congregation's attempt to live their lives in response to the question, "What would Jesus do?," "His Brother's Keeper" focuses on the relationship between a rich man and his poor friend and their decision to truly be their "brother's keeper" in practical and spiritual ways. The book is based on real events.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction

245 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1896

About the author

Charles Monroe Sheldon was an American minister in the Congregational churches and leader of the Social Gospel movement.

His novel, In His Steps, introduced the principle of "What Would Jesus Do?" which articulated an approach to Christian theology that became popular at the turn of the 20th Century and had a revival almost one hundred years later.

Reviews

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original edition of His Brother's Keeper was written by Charles M Sheldon in 1895, one year before he wrote In His Steps, which was the story that launched the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?)movement. It is based upon real events of a labor struggle that involved the Salvation Army, and a man named Stuart Duncan who had a spiritual struggle between being enormously wealthy and seeing the poverty all around him.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. Mr. Sheldon weaves a wonderful story that teaches us a beautiful lesson about the value of things and our responsibility to each other. The story is set in the town of Champion and takes place during the iron miners strike of 1895. You will meet Stuart, the son of a rich iron mine owner, Eric, a childhood friend of Stuart and a mine worker, Andrew, preacher of a local church, Rhena, a local Salvation Army worker, and my favorite character, Doc Saxon. You will journey with Stuart as he becomes a child of God and struggles to understand what that means and what God wants of him. You will learn along with Stuart and the others what it means to be our brother's keeper. This was a wonderful story, beautifully told.

[Rita Jean]

By the same author as "In His Steps" which started the What Would Jesus Do craze. Even though this was written back when...it is still relevant. Character is something we all must continually strive to maintain.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. At this time in our nation's history, it was especially poignant. It told a story of a man of great wealth who used his money and power to do good and was much happier in the end.

[Bradly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every bit as good as In His Steps, I probably liked it better. If you can find a copy, read it. I'm not sure that Nelson is still printing it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do like this one. A great inspirational read.

[Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, an even better book than In His Steps and deserves to be better known. A clear depiction of what the Christian attitude toward the downtrodden ought to be.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a long way into this book before realizing that I had read it before! In His Brother's Keeper, Stuart is faced with many challenges. How does a Christian use wealth? Where does his responsibility toward a brother or sister begin and end? The Salvation army has a signficiant role in this mining town, and I enjoyed the part it's "soldiers" play in the plot. This book is full of adventures and humorous characters. Of course there's a girl...but she is no ordinary one.

[Charlene Preg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the story was a good one but too slow; some action scenes were attempting to be more significant than the final outcome warranted. Sheldon had insight into a labor dispute but kept revisiting and reiterating his point. It would be better if abridged.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but inspiring story well read.

[Jeanne Modisett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out very interesting but half way through became tedious. Basically, it deals with the seriousness of life and salvation versus frivolity and having no concept of eternity.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Written in 1895 & what an inspiring read!

[Wendi Enright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historic. A few good men led the way to eventual unions.