Listening to, or participating in, the singing of Handel's Messiah is now as much a part of Christmas celebrations as the buying of gifts. And that experience will be richer yet for people who realize the series of miracles that were required to bring this oratorio into being.
While a lad of seven, Handel's barber-surgeon father assured him that he would rather his son's fingers be cut off than that he become a musician. To emphasize this, he burned all of the boy's musical toys in the fireplace. Nonetheless, young George Frideric continued to practice on a muted clavichord hidden in the attic.
Later, Handel had to overcome a paralysis of his right arm. Shortly before working on Messiah, he was so pressed for money he feared debtor's prison. Yet Providence brought him to that momentous time in his life. After composing the "Hallelujah Chorus," he exclaimed through tears to a servant, "I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself!"
At the first London performance of the Messiah, King George II rose to his feet during the singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus," and since he was King, the rest of the audience rose with him. Thus began the custom which continues to this day.
Altogether, Handel composed as much music as the combined works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Beethoven. Much of his music still lives to glorify the God whom Handel served with his great talent.
Paperback - 186 Pages
5th - 8th Grades
Other products in the category Biography:
Abigail Adams (Sower Series) -- Now and then in the recorded history of America a person comes on the scene who remains for all times an inspiration to Christians. Such a woman was Abigail Adams. A born-again Christian, her whole life was guided by His Word. She was steadfast through fortune and misfortune. As the First Lady she was President John Adams' partner. Many of her precepts helped guide and mold America. Her own son, John Quincy Adams, who she trained up in God's Word was our sixth President. Paperback - 147 Pages, . . .
Abraham Lincoln (Sower Series) -- The life of Abraham Lincoln is well recorded for history. But sadly enough, the spiritual side of Abraham Lincoln has been seldom reported. Because he held no formal church membership, he has even been labeled "anti-Christian." There is, however, little doubt that Abraham Lincoln was a most devoted Christian. His entire life reflects a deep personal faith in God. This book will attempt to explore the spiritual side of Abraham Lincoln, relying on his own words and the observations of his family, friends . . .
Billy Sunday (Sower Series) -- A professional baseball player, Sunday's enthusiasm for sports carried through to his religion. A pro ballplayer who was also a Christian? No one ever heard of such a thing! But Billy didn't care. Whatever Billy did, he did with total enthusiasm - playing ball and telling people about Jesus. The first record Billy set in the major leagues was one for the most consecutive strikeouts - thirteen his first thirteen times up to bat. His speed when he finally did start hitting, however, was hard to believe. . . .
Christopher Columbus (Sower Series) -- Christopher Columbus' greatest discovery was not the New World. As a young boy Columbus trusted Christ as his Savior and discovered the ways of God. This little-known fact was the reason for his adventurous life. Columbus felt God wanted him to explore the world and find new land and people so that Christ could be proclaimed. Finding boats and money to make the trip turned into a grueling experience in discouragement. Kings and queens promised and failed him. But Columbus was determined. He had promised . . .
Daniel Webster (Sower Series) -- It was big news. A store was opening in Salisbury. Daniel and his sisters walked to town almost every day that first week just to smell pickles and peppers in open barrels and stare at hard horehound candy in a glass jar on the shelf behind the counter. But it wasn't horehounds that Daniel bought with his first pennies. It was a cotton handkerchief decorated with flags and printed on both sides - with the new Constitution of the United States of America.
Daniel's father had gone to the New Hampshire . . .
David Livingstone (Sower Series) -- David Livingstone was one of the greatest explorers who ever lived. His exciting exploits in Africa tell a story of unsurpassed courage and determination.
At first, it looked like David Livingstone would spend his life in the little town of Blantyre, Scotland. At age ten he began working in the cotton spinning mill. His workday began at 6 AM. The ending whistle didn't sound until 8 PM. After work he attended school for two hours.
He was told he'd never escape the daily toil of the cotton mill. . . .
Florence Nightingale (Sower Series) -- Florence went against the wishes of her wealthy parents and defied social custom when she took up a career that no respectable woman of that day would even consider. She became a nurse. History knows her now as "The Lady with the Lamp." Night after night she walked among the cots of wounded soldiers, carrying her kerosene lamp to light the darkness and wearing her cape to keep out the cold. She was always ready to bandage the wounds of a bleeding soldier, give a drink of water to a thirsty patient . . .
Francis Scott Key (Sower Series) -- Most of us know that Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner while being held prisoner aboard a ship on the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. He write...as we were leaving the enemy flagship a British officer hurried up to us. "I'm sorry gentlemen," he said firmly. "We are about to attack Baltimore. You must remain with us until the battle is over and the city has surrendered."
I swallowed deeply. I felt as if this were a bad dream, a horrible nightmare from which I would . . .
George Washington (Sower Series) -- See history come alive...learn of many hidden facts involving famous men and women from the pages of their diaries, letters to friends, books they wrote, etc. Washington was not a preacher or great Bible scholar, and he did not speak or act in this manner. He was much like the average member of your church, for he sat regularly in the pews of many churches. Daily Washington lived by the biblical teachings he gleaned from his Bible reading. And he was a sower of the seeds of faith to others.
Paperback . . .
George Washington Carver (Sower Series) -- Born to slave parents, young George Washington Carver was orphaned before he could walk. In his youth he fought poverty and throughout his life he battled prejudice. Yet George Washington Carver merges as one of history's most remarkable men! How? "The Lord has guided me," Carver was heard to often say. "He has shown me the way, just as He will show everyone who turns to Him."
This book is written as George Washington Carver might have told the story of his life. Hopefully you will experience his . . .
Isaac Newton (Sower Series) -- A devout Christian and great mathematician, Newton is remembered as the discoverer of the law of gravity.
This biograpy follows the life of Isaac Newton from the time of his birth through his school years and into his years as an inventor, scientist, and teacher, to the time of his death and the impact his inventions and discoveries have on our world even today.
Paperback - 144 Pages
5th - 8th Grade
Jason Lee (Sower Series) -- Jason Lee was a Methodist missionary sent to Oregon. He built his mission on the banks of the Willamette, then lobbied his Mission Board to send more personnel so he could open branch mission houses. He spoke in churches urging people to move to the land of the setting sun and help build a Christian Oregon. And he lobbied Congress to establish Oregon as a Territory.
Tragedy stalked Jason, and he died in the noon of life, so he had no opportunity to enjoy triumph. But years later when the state . . .
Johannes Kepler (Sower Series) -- Johannes Kepler considered his vast scientific studies as another way of looking into God's magnificent creation. He often became so excited with his discoveries that he would write songs of praise to God along with recording his findings in his scientific journals! In all of history there has never been another man like Johannes Kepler. A listing of his many accomplishments could not do justice to the exciting facts of his life.
Paperback - 202 pages, by John Hudson Tiner
5th - 8th Grades
Johnny Appleseed (Sower Series) -- Young John was restless. It was hard to keep his mind on schooling and the farm chores. By 1792, when he turned eighteen, his feet were itching for travel. His father handed him a parting gift and said "As long as you carry God's Word, your path will be straight." To Johnny, the Bible was a fitting treasure. Although Johnny headed west, the roads he took weren't always straight. Leaving Massachusetts behind, he climbed mountains, followed dusty trails, floated down singing waterways, and wandered . . .
Louis Pasteur (Sower Series) -- The scientific discoveries of Louis Pasteur, a Frenchman who lived in the 1800s, have made a difference. He chose scientific questions worthy of attack, those whose solution would benefit ordinary citizens. Pasteurization grew out of his dramatic discovery that tiny living things cause foods like milk to spoil. Gentle heating of the milk destroys the tiny life and keeps the food fresh.
He also proved that some microscopic living organisms are helpful to human beings, while others cause illness. . . .
Mahalia Jackson (Sower Series) -- Mahalia Jackson was a magnificent talent with her spellbinding contralto voice. She was deeply religious with a quest to help the underprivileged and the disadvantaged. "Blues are the songs of despair," Mahalia often said. "Gospel songs belong to the Lord. Gospel songs are the songs of hope. When you sing gospel you have the feeling there is a cure for what's wrong, but when you are through with the blues you've got nothing to rest on."
Before each performance or recording session, Mahalia would . . .
Noah Webster (Sower Series) -- One American seldom receives the attention he rightly deserves. Noah Webster, Jr., does not often come immediately to mind when one considers those who helped the United States during its infancy. He should. His services were many and unique in the earliest stages of America.
Even as a boy, Noah was fascinated with language and education. He was troubled by the lack of interest shown by others in formal schooling, and the lack of books and proper facilities bothered him even more.
When the fires . . .
Robert Boyle (Sower Series) -- Robert Boyle lived a life of contrasts. He was born to one of the richest families on earth, but he chose to live a simple life. Robert became one of the greatest scientists of all time, but remained a shy, humble person. Despite his quiet nature, he worked forcefully and bravely against persecution and injustice. <p>Robert Boyle's father came to Ireland with nothing but a few coins in his pocket and a small trunk of clothes. He became the Great Earl of Cork, a powerful and wealthy Irish landowner. . . .
Robert E. Lee (Sower Series) -- Robert E. Lee was one of the most truly remarkable men in our nation's history. The author writes, "I searched diligently for a flaw in Lee's character. There was none." What was this general's secret? He was a Christ-bearer. His secret was that he found the source of his strength and commitment in Christ.
This book uses some imaginative fiction in recollecting Lee's boyhood since little is known about him, but the author strives to maintain every bit of historic accuracy. Lee's life is well documented . . .
Samual B. Morse (Sower Series) -- The world-famous artist, Samuel Morse, boarded the packet ship Sully in France to sail for New York. He listened as other passengers tossed ideas back and forth. One man asked, "Is the flow of electricity slowed by the length of a wire?" Someone else responded, "No." The thought captured Samuel's imagination. Could signals be sent instantly anywhere along a wire by electricity? Could newspapers in America carry news of events that had taken place that very morning in Europe?
When Samuel disembarked . . .
Samuel Francis Smith (Sower Series) -- Among other interesting details, uncovered is the fact that most historical sources have an error in the date of writing America, giving it as 1832. As told in this book, the words were written in February 1831, and the song was first performed on July 4, 1831. The error, once made, was compounded as such errors in history often are. Smith himself, in later life, was not always accurate concerning this date.
Paperback - 154 Pages, by Marguerite Fitch
5th - 8th Grade
Stonewall Jackson (Sower Series) -- "Look!" cried General Bee. "There are Jackson and his men standing like a stone wall. Rally behind them!"
In the battle that followed, Jackson lifted his left hand high and moved back and forth shouting encouragement to his men. At a critical moment, he spurred his horse, Little Sorrel, into the center of his regiment and shouted, "Reserve your fire until they come within fifty yards. Then fire and give them the bayonet. And when you charge, yell like the furies."
Stonewall's fearlessness had . . .
Susanna Wesley
(Sower Series) -- Susanna, the twenty-fifth child in her family, prayed daily, "Dear God, guide me. Make my life count." But God's answer seemed to be "Wait." So Susanna waited. And in the meantime, she married the young poet, Samuel Wesley. Life with Samuel took Susanna from her life-long home in London to a new home over a hundred miles to the north. Samuel was a minister, but life in the rectory was not easy. There was never enough money to feed and clothe the family properly. Twice their house burned. One king . . .
Teresa of Calcutta (Sower Series) -- Agnes and her family lived in Macedonia in eastern Europe. Agnes eagerly read letters by missionaries from faraway places. She especially enjoyed the letters from Calcutta, India. Eventually Agnes arrived in Calcutta where she taught young, well-to-do girls. They knew her as Sister Teresa. Unsatisfied, Teresa searched for her calling in life. One day she decided to work with "the poorest of the poor." She conducted her first class in a public park. Only five street children attended. Despite the . . .
The Wright Brothers (Sower Series) -- This book examines the Wright Brothers focusing primarily on their importance in the history of aviation but includes the story of their Christian upbringing as well
This time, they carried the glider almost to the top of Big Kill Devil Hill."Ready?" asked Orville."Ready," replied Wilbur from his prone position.
Safely in the air, Wilbur warped the wings. There was an instant response and Wilbur glowed with joy. But as the glider curved, he became aware of a new instability. He adjusted the controls. . . .
William Jennings Bryan (Sower Series) -- A great Christian and a great American, William Jennings Bryan left an indelible mark upon America and the world. He was called the golden-tongued orator yet he was known as the Great Commoner, fighting for the common people against the power of big corporations and monopolies, fighting against evils in society and government.
As a schoolboy, Bryan would practice making speeches in the fields and woods, speaking with pebbles in his mouth as he heard Demosthenes of ancient Greece had done, planning . . .
Related Products
Abraham Lincoln (Sower Series)
Florence Nightingale (Sower Series)
Jason Lee (Sower Series)
Johannes Kepler (Sower Series)
Samuel Francis Smith (Sower Series)
The Wright Brothers (Sower Series)
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