Book Reviews

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“Piety, or the return of a soul to God in His Christ, and a godly, sober, and righteous life led upon it, is the whole duty and interest, and wisdom of man.”

Rev. Dr. Increase Mather
Preface: “Early Piety”

    It seems that ‘mentoring’ has become the means of replacing ‘parenting’ in our modern age.  If you have often wondered how successful Christian families were raised back in the day, and the children were armed with a spiritual vitality which defied their years, you might want to pick up a copy of “Early Piety: A Call To The Rising Generation”, Edited by Scott T. Brown (2016, The National Center for Family-Integrated Churches, 216 Pages).

    Raising successful families does not begin in the marketplace, the school, or even in the church.  Successful families begin in the home, and the pulpits of our land have a massive stake in training parents and children in how to be successful for Jesus Christ.  Brown takes a series of eight sermons first preached and placed in book form in 1721 by Rev. Dr. Increase Mather, and seven other ministers--including his son, Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather.

    The sermons were clearly aimed at young people; young Christians, and how to tap into their faith in God during some surly times in the 18th Century.  Brown--whom came into possession of a first edition bound copy of the work, was moved by its power and focus.  It led him to bring this work up-to-date, including his own observations on the father-and-son preaching Mather men.  

    The Elder Mather’s powerful Preface is a great place to launch the reader into the times and need for true piety among the youth of his day.  It is also a great place to study the issue as it applies to our modern time.  “Early Piety” contains many good explanations of biblical principles as it relates to young people and the subject at hand.  Many of the scripture citations are KJV, which shows the underlying concern of the preachers to get the best from ‘the olde booke’ as God intended.

    “Early Piety: A Call To The Rising Generation” is not only meant for pastors, but for fathers and mothers to share with their young people.  Brown has produced a masterful work, which should find a place in many a home.  This work is available from your local bookstore, or your favorite electronic bookseller.

    Mike Ramey is a Minister, Reviewer and Syndicated Columnist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  On Line Reviews brings current and lesser-known titles to public light in the quest to re-kindle a love for reading and thinking in a sea of modern technology.  Feel free to reach him via email at [email protected].  

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