In the Hollow Of His Hand

By Hesba Stretton
Available from Keepers of the Faith
*****
This sequel to Highway of Sorrow begins in Scotland. The Stundists, true believers in Christ, have been enduring some persecution in Russia. A Scottish woman had married a Russian, but to try to save her health, she had returned to her native land with her young son, Michael, around whom the book revolves. She dies soon into the book, telling her son that “death is beautiful! And I am not alone.”

Michael returns to his father and young sister in Russia, and is saddened by the increased persecution they are suffering. His father is arrested shortly thereafter, and eventually exiled to Siberia. The Stundist children under the age of twelve have all been forcibly taken from their homes and placed in supposedly “good” orthodox homes. This is to make sure the children are being reared properly, and to encourage their parents to return to the church.

Michael believes his sister Velia to be well cared for, and along with many of the wives and children of other men being exiled, accompanies his father to Siberia. We read of the horrors of the trip, of the many that die along the way, the suffering of the women and little children, the pain of the fathers who can do nothing for their families.

After arriving at their destination, Michael receives word that his sister has been taken from the kind home she was in, and is being mistreated because of her refusal to worship icons. He comes back for her, and the book ends with them safe in Scotland.

I had never read or heard anything about the Stundists until I read the prequel to this, Highway of Sorrow. My heart has been touched by their history, their faithfulness, and their sufferings. The church needs to know of others who have been faithful. It is encouraging to read of others who have loved the same Lord, and through their trials, sufferings, pain, and deaths, have been kept safe and secure in the hollow of His hand. I highly recommend these two books. They would be great books to read aloud to the whole family.