Stepping Heavenward By The Author Of The Flower Of The Family I E Elizabeth Prentiss

Elizabeth Payson Prentiss, née Elizabeth Payson, (born October 26, 1818, Portland, Maine, U.S.--died August 13, 1878, Dorset, Vermont), American writer of popular children's books of a pious and homely character. Elizabeth Payson was the daughter of a well-known minister and revivalist. At age 19 she opened a short-lived school, but ill health made it difficult for her to establish herself. In 1845 she married the Reverend George L. Prentiss. From an early age Elizabeth Prentiss had been interested in writing, and as early as 1834 she had published a piece in Youth's Companion. In the early 1850s she took up writing seriously, contributing stories and articles to Youth's Companion, the New York Observer, and other periodicals. A children's book, Little Susy's Six Birthdays (1853), was a considerable success, and Prentiss continued the title character in Little Susy's Six Teachers (1856) and Little Susy's Little Servants (1856). The Flower of the Family (1853) was Prentiss's first novel, and Only a Dandelion, and Other Stories (1854) collected some of her earlier work. Her subsequent books include Henry and Bessie; or, What They Did in the Country (1855); The Little Preacher (1867); Stepping Heavenward (1869), her greatest success; The Story Lizzie Told (1870); Golden Hours (1874), religious verses and hymns; The Home at Greylock (1876); Gentleman Jim (1878); and the posthumous Avis Benson (1879). The evangelical piety of her books, many of which were thinly veiled autobiography, and their familiar reliance on scenes of everyday life found a ready audience. (britannica.com) Stepping Heavenward is the journal of a girl named Katherine Mortimer. She struggles with very ordinary things like you and me. Katy meets a young man who she loves & wants to marry but her mother is very much against their plans. Then Katy gets sick and she finds out just how much her fiancee really loved her! Then, there is pain and heartache over the broken engagement; sorrow that she had not listened to her mother. But Katy's life goes on through her marriage to a Godly man & motherhood and many tragedies. Her life is a constant struggle to "step heavenward," and poor Katherine, like so many of us, takes 1 step forward - 2 steps backward. - Excellent!"

Written by Elizabeth Prentiss and first published in 1869 in installments, "Stepping Heavenward" is the fictional coming of age story of a young Christian girl named Katherine. The novel tells the story of Katherine's life through a series of journal entries beginning when she is sixteen and trying to discover how to live a good and Godly life. The novel follows her though courtship, engagement, marriage, having children, and the many challenges that she confronts as she transforms from an innocent and curious young lady to a wise and thoughtful woman. Drawing upon her own experiences as a Christian wife and mother, Prentiss tells Katherine's life story with a refreshing and engaging candor and humor. Katherine lays bare her own shortcomings and failures as she seeks to live her life as God intended. Katherine matures into an honorable woman who faithfully attends to the details of her own life with a generous Christian spirit and a true depth of character. This classic Christian story continues to be an inspirational tale for young girls who themselves are facing the very same challenges of growing up and their mothers who are helping them to navigate it. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and includes an introduction by George Prentiss.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

"How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen!" writes Katherine in her brand-new journal on January 15, 1831. This abridgement of the classic book Stepping Heavenward will lead you on your own unforgettable journey as you follow Katherine through her life - from sweet sixteen to mature womanhood. As she learns that true happiness is found in giving oneself to others, you, too, will be encouraged to step heavenward - to live with greater godliness, humility, tranquility, and hope.