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Devotional Literature of the PastChristians of many ages have used various tools to draw themselves closer to God on a daily basis. The following listings represent some of these tools Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry--c. 1380The Medieval "Book of Hours" combined scripture extracts with sumptuous illuminations or paintings. In this example, the paintings represent the twelve months of the year. Emblems, by Francis Quarles--1634The most celebrated of the "Emblem Books," this one by Francis Quarles appeared in scores of editions with various versions of the emblems or engravings. This work has been consistently in print for nearly 400 years, and enjoyed a phenomenal popularity in centuries past. In Quarles' book, we see a combination of an "emblem," which is a symbolic illustration, with a body of text. The text, in this book, consists of a scripture, a poem (devotion) on the scripture, and a selection of quotations from Church Fathers. Morning and Evening, by C.H. Spurgeon--c. 1860This twice-daily devotional volume by the "Prince of Preachers" covers the entire year. Spurgeon's devotions are brief reflections on single verses or, often, part of a verse. My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers--c. 1915Oswald Chambers, a Scottish pastor, created this year's worth of devotions during his long ministry. Probably no devotional work of the twentieth century has carried such a lasting effect. |