INTRODUCTION

THE present volume is a translation from the Danish language of one of Rev. Mr. Gravengaard's books which in its original form has attained a success among Danes in the United States and Americans of Danish descent which is quite unprecedented in the annals of Danish immigrant literature, secular and religious. The book has passed through two large editions and has even found wide reading in far-off Denmark.

The work of rendering this volume into English has been a source of unlimited joy because of the clarity of the author's message; the form in which he has clothed his thoughts, and the immediate humanistic touch evident from beginning to end. It is the hope of the translator that an equal measure of satisfaction and delight may accrue to the public who now for the first time may enjoy the opportunity of becoming familiar with Mr. Gravengaard's writings in the language of the United States.

The Translator

CONTENTS

PAGE
Christmas Thoughts[9]
1. The Christmas Angels: Dost Thou Remember?[9]
2. Room for Jesus[10]
3. Well-Springs of Joy[13]
4. To Join in the Song[15]
5. The Joy of Understanding[18]
6. The Faith of a Little Child[21]
Thoughts for the New Year[24]
1. To See Like the Angels[24]
2. The Hidden Life[28]
The Worth of Your Soul[32]
That Which Is Hidden Shall Be Revealed[36]
Not in Word, Neither in Tongue[39]
Seest Thou This Woman?[42]
What About the Devil?[45]
Two Episodes of The Civil War[49]
1. Looting Those Who Fell[49]
2. Removed Because of Mischief[51]
Your Words[55]
Behind the Shield[59]
Love Me—and Tell Me So![66]
To Bear Burdens[71]
Be Steadfast in Prayer[74]
1. A Gain and a Protection[74]
2. What Mother Taught Me[75]
3. The Evening-Prayer: A Protection[77]
4. The Morning-Prayer: A Gain[80]
Zacchæus[84]
1. To Be Home By Oneself[84]
2. All Forgiven—Nothing in Vain[87]
3. During the Following Days[89]
The March of Events[92]
The Little While[97]
The Miracle in Our Age[105]
1. The Miracle and Nature[106]
2. The Miracle and the Church of the Lord[111]
America—You Are the Hope of the World To-Day[119]