From Dark to Dawn: A Tale of Martin Luther and the Reformation

by Elizabeth Charles, James and Stacy McDonald (Editor), Marilyn Rockett (Editor)

A Tale of Martin Luther and the Reformation Originally published in 1863, From Dark to Dawn is living history, a stirring tale of devout faith set in the time of the Great Reformation in Germany. Skilfully woven around the life of Luther and the family of a simple burgher maid. This book draws historic truth into an intriguing story in a way that draws the reader into the real history of the times. Also full of antique engravings depicting scenes from Luther's life. Originally published in 1863, this newly revised edition makes available once again to Christians, both young and old, the story of a most important event in history. From Dark to Dawn may also be used to supplement a curriculum about the Reformation era. It includes: * A foldout timeline of the Reformation * English translations of Latin phrases used in the text * Antique engravings depicting historical scenes from Luther's life * Watercolor illustrations painted especially for this edition * A glossary of all the difficult terms in the book

Genres: Historical Fiction

370 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Elizabeth Rundle Charles (2 January 1828 – 28 March 1896) was an English writer.

She was born at Tavistock, Devon, the daughter of John Rundle, MP. Some of her youthful poems won the praise of Tennyson, who read them in manuscript. In 1851 she married Andrew Paton Charles. She was affiliated with the Anglican Church, and died at Hampstead, London, in 1896.

Her best known book, written to order for an editor who wished for a story about Martin Luther, The Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family, was published in 1862, and was translated into most of the European languages, into Arabic, and into many Indian dialects. Mrs Charles wrote in all over fifty books, the majority of a semi-religious character, as well as writing and translating a number of hymns. She took an active part in the work of various charitable institutions, and among her friends and correspondents were Dean Stanley, Archbishop Tait, Charles Kingsley, William Booth, Jowett and Pusey.

Her works include The Voice of Christian Life in Song; or, Hymns and Hymn-writers of Many Lands and Ages (1859), The Three Wakings, and Other Poems (1859), Wanderings over Bible Lands and Seas (1862), The Early Dawn (1864), Winifred Bertram and the World She Lived In (1866), Poems (1867), The Draytons and the Davenants (1867), Songs Old and New (1882), and Conquering and to Conquer/The Diary of Brother Bartholomew. Our Seven Homes (1896) is autobiographical. A number of her hymns appeared in The Family Treasury, edited by William Arnot (1808–1875).

Reviews

[Connie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the print layout of this book (especially the margins) was not aesthetically pleasing for modern eyes, I would recommend it for anyone interested in gaining a foundational understanding of the Reformation. Writing from the perspectives of several individuals and incorporating their personal stories, Mrs. Charles made the historical facts much more engrossing than a textbook. Any young person (or even some of us older ones) with an interest in the history of the Christian faith would appreciate this book. I liked it so much I purchased five copies to share -- one for myself, one for each of my daughters' home libraries, one for a mother of home schoolers, one for a friend struggling with the doctrinal differences between Roman Catholic teachings and those of her Protestant Christian friends.