This book is one of the great works of literature.
Henry Van Dyke became a man of great influence, making notable contributions in the fields of education, religion, diplomacy, and literature. As a Professor, Van Dyke was the Murray Professor of English Literature at Princeton University, served as a visiting Professor at the University of Paris, and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, among other honors. As a minister he became the pastor of the famous Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City, where he gained a national reputation for his preaching.
But it was as a writer that Van Dyke gained his greatest stature. His books became immensely popular and were often published in eighteen or twenty editions in the United States and England, and translated into many languages. Van Dyke was considered to be one of the most important American short story writers of his time. His was a life lived fully as a dedicated Christian, and fully as a brilliant contributor to society.