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Jessie Wells
This edition of the 1880 original is unabridged; and includes group discussion questions, a biography of the author, and an introduction to Isabella Alden’s books by Christian author Jenny Berlin.
Let your light shine before men.
Although she’s been a Christian for some time, sixteen-year-old Jessie Wells never really lived her faith, but that’s about to change. New minister Mr. Clyne, has his eye on Jessie and he has great plans for her. His wise counsel sets Jessie on the right path and her faith blossoms. Jessie’s friends notice the change in her, and before long her parents notice, too. But there’s one person Jessie wants to influence for Christ more than anyone else; and if she can only find the right time to talk to him about salvation, Jessie’s certain, with God’s help, she can make a difference in his life.
Let your light shine before men.
Although she’s been a Christian for some time, sixteen-year-old Jessie Wells never really lived her faith, but that’s about to change. New minister Mr. Clyne, has his eye on Jessie and he has great plans for her. His wise counsel sets Jessie on the right path and her faith blossoms. Jessie’s friends notice the change in her, and before long her parents notice, too. But there’s one person Jessie wants to influence for Christ more than anyone else; and if she can only find the right time to talk to him about salvation, Jessie’s certain, with God’s help, she can make a difference in his life.
- GenresFiction
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1866
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38 people want to read
About the author
Pansy
341 books31 followersNote: In her lifetime, Isabella Macdonald Alden was usually published under the pseudonym Pansy, and occasionally under the name Mrs. G.R. Alden.
Aunt to Grace Livingston Hill
The sixth of seven children born to Isaac and Myra Spafford Macdonald, of Rochester, New York, Isabella Macdonald received her early education from her father, who home-schooled her, and gave her a nickname - "Pansy" - that she would use for many of her publications. As a girl, she kept a daily journal, critiqued by her father, and she published her first story - The Old Clock - in a village paper when she was ten years old.
Macdonald's education continued at the Oneida Seminary, the Seneca Collegiate Institute, and the Young Ladies Institute, all in New York. It was at the Oneida Seminary that she met her long-time friend (and eventual co-author), Theodosia Toll, who secretly submitted one of Macdonald's manuscripts in a competition, setting in motion a chain of events that would lead to the publication of her first book, Helen Lester, in 1865.
Macdonald also met her future husband, the Rev. Gustavus Rossenberg Alden, at the Oneida Seminary, and the two were married in 1866. Now Isabella Macdonald Alden, the newly-married minister's wife followed her husband as his postings took them around the country, dividing her time between writing, church duties, and raising her son Raymond (born 1873).
A prolific author, who wrote approximately one hundred novels from 1865 to 1929, and co-authored ten more, Alden was also actively involved in the world of children's and religious periodicals, publishing numerous short stories, editing the Sunday Juvenile Pansy from 1874-1894, producing Sunday School lessons for The Westminster Teacher for twenty years, and working on the editorial staff of various other magazines (Trained Motherhood, The Christian Endeavor).
Highly influenced by her Christian beliefs, much of Alden's work was explicitly moral and didactic, and often found its way into Sunday School libraries. It was also immensely popular, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with an estimated 100,000 copies of Alden's books sold, in 1900.
Information taken from:
readseries.com
isabellamacdonaldalden.com
Aunt to Grace Livingston Hill
The sixth of seven children born to Isaac and Myra Spafford Macdonald, of Rochester, New York, Isabella Macdonald received her early education from her father, who home-schooled her, and gave her a nickname - "Pansy" - that she would use for many of her publications. As a girl, she kept a daily journal, critiqued by her father, and she published her first story - The Old Clock - in a village paper when she was ten years old.
Macdonald's education continued at the Oneida Seminary, the Seneca Collegiate Institute, and the Young Ladies Institute, all in New York. It was at the Oneida Seminary that she met her long-time friend (and eventual co-author), Theodosia Toll, who secretly submitted one of Macdonald's manuscripts in a competition, setting in motion a chain of events that would lead to the publication of her first book, Helen Lester, in 1865.
Macdonald also met her future husband, the Rev. Gustavus Rossenberg Alden, at the Oneida Seminary, and the two were married in 1866. Now Isabella Macdonald Alden, the newly-married minister's wife followed her husband as his postings took them around the country, dividing her time between writing, church duties, and raising her son Raymond (born 1873).
A prolific author, who wrote approximately one hundred novels from 1865 to 1929, and co-authored ten more, Alden was also actively involved in the world of children's and religious periodicals, publishing numerous short stories, editing the Sunday Juvenile Pansy from 1874-1894, producing Sunday School lessons for The Westminster Teacher for twenty years, and working on the editorial staff of various other magazines (Trained Motherhood, The Christian Endeavor).
Highly influenced by her Christian beliefs, much of Alden's work was explicitly moral and didactic, and often found its way into Sunday School libraries. It was also immensely popular, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with an estimated 100,000 copies of Alden's books sold, in 1900.
Information taken from:
readseries.com
isabellamacdonaldalden.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 20, 2020
It’s been years since I read this book but I was in the mood for something I knew I’d like. And “Jessie Wells” just fit.
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it!
Jessie is the only Christian in her family and she realizes that her testimony is not one that points to Christ. I loved how deep yet enjoyable this story is. It made me cry because of some events that usually make me not want to reread a book, but this one doesn’t do that. It is challenging, convicting, enjoyable, and a delightful read all in one.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it!
Jessie is the only Christian in her family and she realizes that her testimony is not one that points to Christ. I loved how deep yet enjoyable this story is. It made me cry because of some events that usually make me not want to reread a book, but this one doesn’t do that. It is challenging, convicting, enjoyable, and a delightful read all in one.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
March 24, 2016
An awakening soldier for Christ
A look at family life in an older age, however they face the same problems as we do today. Then there was the snare of alcohol and 'good' mindless entertainment. Church attendance was accepted as normal even by nonbelievers. Today, Christians have to overcome , not just alcohol, but mind destroying drugs. People need the love of a Saviour and forgiveness of sins just as much now as they did back then. Jesse not only grew closer Jesus she brought her family to Him. Starting with her older brother who was already entrapped by friends that introduced him to alcohol , to the sorrow of the parents and Jessie. This is a great picture of how one family member's prayers and persistence can claim victory for her whole family.
A look at family life in an older age, however they face the same problems as we do today. Then there was the snare of alcohol and 'good' mindless entertainment. Church attendance was accepted as normal even by nonbelievers. Today, Christians have to overcome , not just alcohol, but mind destroying drugs. People need the love of a Saviour and forgiveness of sins just as much now as they did back then. Jesse not only grew closer Jesus she brought her family to Him. Starting with her older brother who was already entrapped by friends that introduced him to alcohol , to the sorrow of the parents and Jessie. This is a great picture of how one family member's prayers and persistence can claim victory for her whole family.
December 24, 2008
One of the first books Alden wrote. Not her best as far as writing style goes, but a very good story of a sister and how she tries to influence her siblings for Christ.
March 11, 2024
Pansy's "Jessie Wells" is an inspiring religious family centered story that is a wonderful quick read. Is Jessie her brother's keeper? Are we all to help others find their way to Christ?
Story in short-Jessie has not been living up to her word in living a Christian life and must find a way to reach her wayward brother.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 114
She was the oldest daughter of a large family of little ones—Laura, and Carrie, and Walter, besides little Libby, the baby and pet. Then there was her brother Wayland, nearly two years older than herself. These, with her father and mother, and Bridget in the kitchen, made quite a large household, and of these all, Jessie was the only Christian. Truly had she need to “watch and pray.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 138
“They are going this afternoon on that ride to the lake, and are going to have a sail by moonlight,” she eagerly announced, when they were seated at the breakfast-table, and added: “Can I go, father?” “Who has invited you?” interrupted her mother. “Ed Kent.” “He’s a precious loafer,” sneered Wayland. At this Jessie’s eyes glowed, and her tones were sharp and bitter. “He is not as much of a loafer as you are.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 147
“Oh, I—of course, I’m a loafer. I don’t pretend to be anything else, when my own sister is ashamed of me. Why should I?” “Wayland, stop!” said Dr. Wells, sternly. “Jessie, Ed Kent is well enough, but the boat upon the lake isn’t. I don’t dare to trust you in it. I’ve told you so several times, I believe.” He waited for a scene—everyone waited for it—Jessie to remonstrate, to coax, and fret, and cry by turns, and finally, unless her father was very determined, to gain her own
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 154
way; but Jessie neither raised her eyes from her plate, where she had suddenly dropped them, nor spoke a word.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 182
“No, sir,” said Jessie, the tears starting again; “I know I don’t. I feel that I have been going back instead of forward for a long time.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 184
“Commence again, then, Jessie, and go forward. You are not discouraged; you are willing to fight on, are you not?” “Yes, sir; I am going to try to” —spoken very humbly and sadly— “but, Mr. Clyne, I have failed most miserably only this morning.” Mr. Clyne smiled gravely. “And perhaps you may fail many times today, yet you will be stronger tonight for having tried; and, Jessie, you will surely gain the victory in time.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 197
She had scarcely ever been able to speak much with anyone of religion; lately she had not spoken of it at all, and of all persons in the world that she would have chosen to talk with, Cornie Gordon was perhaps the last. She and Cornie were rivals in their classes, and had a way of only politely enduring each other at all times, and how to talk with her, or what to say, poor Jessie did not know.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ spoiler alert
I love Jessie and her desire to keep trying to live a Christian life and by helping her brother, Wayland stay away from his friends at the saloon. It was truly sad when her best friend and little sister die. I love how Pansy has made happy marriages and found their matches. I certainly thought Wayland and Corine were liking each other, especially after the tableaux.
Story in short-Jessie has not been living up to her word in living a Christian life and must find a way to reach her wayward brother.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 114
She was the oldest daughter of a large family of little ones—Laura, and Carrie, and Walter, besides little Libby, the baby and pet. Then there was her brother Wayland, nearly two years older than herself. These, with her father and mother, and Bridget in the kitchen, made quite a large household, and of these all, Jessie was the only Christian. Truly had she need to “watch and pray.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 138
“They are going this afternoon on that ride to the lake, and are going to have a sail by moonlight,” she eagerly announced, when they were seated at the breakfast-table, and added: “Can I go, father?” “Who has invited you?” interrupted her mother. “Ed Kent.” “He’s a precious loafer,” sneered Wayland. At this Jessie’s eyes glowed, and her tones were sharp and bitter. “He is not as much of a loafer as you are.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 147
“Oh, I—of course, I’m a loafer. I don’t pretend to be anything else, when my own sister is ashamed of me. Why should I?” “Wayland, stop!” said Dr. Wells, sternly. “Jessie, Ed Kent is well enough, but the boat upon the lake isn’t. I don’t dare to trust you in it. I’ve told you so several times, I believe.” He waited for a scene—everyone waited for it—Jessie to remonstrate, to coax, and fret, and cry by turns, and finally, unless her father was very determined, to gain her own
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 154
way; but Jessie neither raised her eyes from her plate, where she had suddenly dropped them, nor spoke a word.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 182
“No, sir,” said Jessie, the tears starting again; “I know I don’t. I feel that I have been going back instead of forward for a long time.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 184
“Commence again, then, Jessie, and go forward. You are not discouraged; you are willing to fight on, are you not?” “Yes, sir; I am going to try to” —spoken very humbly and sadly— “but, Mr. Clyne, I have failed most miserably only this morning.” Mr. Clyne smiled gravely. “And perhaps you may fail many times today, yet you will be stronger tonight for having tried; and, Jessie, you will surely gain the victory in time.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 197
She had scarcely ever been able to speak much with anyone of religion; lately she had not spoken of it at all, and of all persons in the world that she would have chosen to talk with, Cornie Gordon was perhaps the last. She and Cornie were rivals in their classes, and had a way of only politely enduring each other at all times, and how to talk with her, or what to say, poor Jessie did not know.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ spoiler alert
I love Jessie and her desire to keep trying to live a Christian life and by helping her brother, Wayland stay away from his friends at the saloon. It was truly sad when her best friend and little sister die. I love how Pansy has made happy marriages and found their matches. I certainly thought Wayland and Corine were liking each other, especially after the tableaux.
Read
December 25, 2019So glad I decided to reread this now! This is one of Alden's earliest works, and her writing style definitely improved over time. But this story was unexpectedly convicting and encouraging to me in some things that I've been going through recently. A gem of a book! <3
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews