The Lost Ruby / The Lost Child

by Christoph von Schmid

This is the story of young Lieutenant Wildberg and the heavy price he paid for succumbing to the subtle temptation of worldly logic. Though at first his “indiscretion” seemed to accomplish a great and noble good, it eventually brought grief and harm to those he loved. He learned that “even the most trivial lie is an evil seed.” (The second story in this volume is as powerful as The Lost Ruby.)

Genres: Fiction, Christian

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1828

About the author

Don't confuse with Johann Christoph von Schmid (1756-1827).

Johann Nepomuk Christoph Friedrich von Schmid was a writer of children's stories, educator, and Roman Catholic priest. His stories were very popular and translated into many languages. His best-known work in the English-speaking world is The Basket of Flowers (Das Blumenkörbchen).

Reviews

[Rebekah Rojas]

This book was almost deserving of 5 stars...I'd say 4.9. There was just one thing about it that disturbed me, it made a comment that God does not use evil to accomplish his purposes and I disagree. Because, God does not condone evil but he uses it to accomplish his greater purpose.

[Matthew Gasperoni]

I always enjoy when I reach for a book from my Lamplighter Collection. Many of these older stories may not have the depth and complexity of writing that modern authors bring, but the simplicity and beauty of these stories that remind, encourage, convict, or build our faith have always been a blessing to me when I finish. This short book, with two stories by Christoph Von Schmid (The Lost Ruby and The Lost Child), was again worth the time.

In The Lost Ruby, I was deeply reminded how joy and peace can be ours even in times of tribulation—and often even more so in those times—as God draws near to walk along with us. Our circumstances don't change, but the more we live a life of remembrance and memorial (fresh in my head after reading Joshua 4 this morning), the more we can recall in darkness the unchangeable, sovereign, good, and gracious God He was, is, and will always be.

Not dissimilarly, in The Lost Child, during tragedy and seeming hopelessness, we can continue to cling to the knowledge that whatever circumstances befall us, they are not accidental and are still in the hands of the same sovereign, good, and gracious God we know—and, more importantly, who knows His children.

[Karen]

Daddy is reading to Ellie before bedtime. They have put this on hold for now...starting reading other books and went on vacation..krb 9/12/15

[Missy]

"Let our hearts be filled with true, sterling honesty, genuine good will, true virtue, and fear of God; for these are more precious than rubies. .... buy the truth and sell it not, for truth and honour are worth more than all the jewels in the world."

[Benjamin Denby]

A story well worth the read. I have reread it many times and I expect that it will be read many more times.

[Karissa]

this is soo so sweet and captivating. both stories have such an intriguing plot!

[Jessica]

3 ⭐️

[Loretta F. Miller]

Another great story by Christoph von Schmid! Unexpected twists. Life lessons. Redemption. God uses even what seems evil for good in our lives.