The Browns at Mt. Hermon

by Isabella Alden
Available from Keepers of the Faith
*****

Can I more highly recommend this sweet story? This is one of Isabella Alden’s more lighthearted stories, but in the humor, she never compromises the seriousness of the Christ-centered life. The plan of salvation is given more than once, and we meet characters to love and emulate.

Our heroine is Mary Brown, who understands her name is not one of the most rare! She accidentally receives a letter addressed to another Mary Brown, accepting her services at a Christian camp. After attempting to return the letter to its proper addressee and finding that that Mary Brown was no longer interested in the position, she decides, on a lark, to take the position herself. Mary Brown was quite well off, somewhat listless and discontent with her life, and was trying to find something interesting to do during the summer. So she assumes the character of a girl needing employment, and begins to learn much about work, Christian camps, and Christianity itself. During her eventful summer she changes much, along with several other Browns and Brownings! It turns out that a certain young man was also there to take a break from his own life, and he may be more than he seems.

Delightful and sweet, this story at some points reads a little like a mystery, but through it all, Isabella Alden’s focus on the Lord, makes the reader thoughtful. Are we, like Mary Brown merely professing Christ, or actually living for Him? Are we giving the expected verbal assent, or are we actually being conformed into His image? It seems there is a big difference.