This interesting book contains the lives - some of them quite remarkable - of 16 godly women, almost all of whom lived in the last century. As one would expect in a Strict Baptist publication, most of them were Baptists and there are many references to baptism by immersion.

Some of the accounts are autobiographical while others are written by a minister or a friend. There is, for example, the story of Margaret Speakman entitled Jesus All - the Sinner Nothing, written by pastor Thomas Bradbury; the autobiographical account of Susan Sarll, under the title The Shining of the Light of Life; and the life of Anne Coates, written by minister James Dennett and called Through Much Tribulation.

One of the stories, But I Obtained Mercy about Cecilia Sloane, is an example of truth being sometimes stranger than fiction; other accounts demonstrate that God rescues some sinners from the depths of degradation; yet others emphasise that it is through much tribulation believers must enter the kingdom; and all the accounts highlight the grace of God in beginning, continuing and completing the good work in His people. The book is yet another testimony to the fact that the latter end of the godly is peace.

Certain of the accounts will provoke some Christian readers to examine themselves as to their own spiritual standing. The story, Search for Reality, is especially searching. Its subject, Henrietta Gilpin, records that she became a professing Christian when she was 16 and had the assurance that her religion was genuine - especially as she had many deep spiritual exercises, times of great religious joy, and even looked forward to death when she was ill and thought she was dying. She recovered and continued circumspectly in her Christian course, carrying out her duties as the young wife of a clergyman and as a mother. But she began to have doubts about the reality of her religion. Eventually she was brought to see that she had no more than natural religion, and that she was a stranger to the righteousness which is by faith in Christ. Gradually she was led to rest by faith upon Christ alone as the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We wish this book a wide circulation. May it be blessed to many in these days of so many superficial professions of Christianity.

(Rev) N M Ross