SGCB | Blackburn Titles

Book Search

Blackburn Titles

click for details THE REBEL PRINCE: Lessons from the Career of the Young Man Absalom
William M. Blackburn

This volume examines the tragic account of Absalom, the son of David who became David's betrayer. William M. Blackburn (1828-1898) does a masterful job setting out the biblical narrative in a way that is both informative and captivating. Blackburn originally preached this material during his exposition of 2 Samuel 13 - 19, but expanded and adapted that material for this powerful publication. Old and young alike will find page after page of godly counsel and warning drawn from the life of THE REBEL PRINCE.

In the Author's Preface we are told: "The record of Absalom's life in 2 Samuel 13 - 19 is as clear and concise as if written by the court-prophet Nathan. It has no parallel to it in Chronicles, and stands alone as a graphic piece of inspired Hebrew literature. In one view it is a vivid biography of the young man Absalom, the prodigal son of the Old Testament, who perished in his sins. In another view it is a sacred tragedy, full of most striking pictures of human nature, varied with deeply laid plots, enriched by frequent changes of scene, and enlivened by a great diversity of characters. For the study of the motives, policies, principles, and characters of evil and designing men, there are few portions of Scripture more profitable. Rarely do seven chapters furnish such a group of bold actors, such a record of great crimes against God and men, and such signal divine judgments upon the wicked."

"It is a striking picture of a family, deserving of close and frequent study. A father's sins are intensified in some of his children, and bring the sword into his own house. There are shown to us some of the plainest lessons upon family government, family trials, and family judgments. It is not only as a king that David is sorely afflicted, but as a father. Those who magnify his faults should justly remember his very great and very many trials. In no other part of his reign did he exhibit more wisdom, tenderness, and greatness in adversity."

"It is our effort in this unpretending volume to draw some useful lessons for our guidance in the family, in society, in the church, and in the national government. We have also kept in view the gospel light afforded by these seven chapters, for in the depths of David's heart we see an illustration of the boundless love of God, and in his sorrows he stands as a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was the favour which the original lectures received from those who heard them, that prompted the author to commit them to the press, and the volume is now laid at the feet of Him who sits upon David's throne, for only with His blessing can it be of any service in securing a further allegiance to the King of kings."

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $11.95 (list price $20.00)
THE ITALIAN REFORMER
The Life and Martyrdom of Aonio Paleario
and the Book "The Benefit of Christ's Death"
William M. Blackburn

AONIO PALEARIO (1500-1570) is a little known Italian Reformer and a teacher of Greek and Hebrew when he came to embrace the doctrine of Jusfificfation by faith alone in Christ alone. In addition to the exicitng life of Aonio Paleario and his friends, this edition contains his most famous book THE BENEFIT OF CHRIST'S DEATH, which he wrote to teach his fellow contrymen that "those who turn with their souls to Christ crucified, commit themselves to him by faith, acquiesce in the promises and cleave with assured faith to him who cannot deceive, are delivered from all evil, and enjoy a full pardon of all their sins." The book was soon sought for and eagerly read in all parts of Italy. Forty-thousand copies are said to have been sold in six years. Of course it attracted the attention of the Inquisition, and was speedily prohibited, and burned by the tens of thousands.

"The book of Paleario," says Jules Bonnet, "had none of the poignant irony or satirical tone of Savonarola. The author carefully abstained from all controversy, in order to make known the doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, the nature of which he explained and the fruits of which he described with the deepest feeling. 'The Benefit' is not so much a book as an outpouring of the heart."

"The Italian Reformer was burned at the stake for the teaching in this book and his riveting testimony before his persecutors rings down the centuries as a call to reformation and revival. A rare work by a rare author, now happily rediscovered for a new public." - Gordon Keddie

Vergerio, an old Italian writer quoted by the editor of the English edition of 1860, stated that "there is scarcely a book of this age, so sweet, so pious, so simple, and so well fitted to instruct the ignorant and weak, especially in the doctrine of justification."

William M. Blackburn (1828-1898) adds our indebtedness to him by this outstanding book that brings back a name nearly forgotten from the times of the Reformation. This book will stand alongside his books on Farel, Zwingli and Calvin and will once again cause his name to be known in our day as it was in the nineteenth century.

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $13.95 (list price $23.00)
We Hope to Have this in Print by May 31st, 2008
THE COLLEGE DAYS OF CALVIN
His Study of Law and Theology at Orleans, Bourges and Paris
William M. Blackburn with Biographical Introduction by Dr. Joel Beeke

"I know of no other books on Calvin that so easily stir the interest of the average reader as do these two works by William M. Blackburn, now happily being reprinted by Solid Ground Christian Books." - Dr. Joel R. Beeke

In the Preface to this excellent volume: "The design of this little volume is to set forth the facts in the early life of John Calvin, in a manner that may interest the youth of Sabbath-schools and Bible classes. If imagination has lent a very slight tinge to a few passages, it has been permitted simply to give life to reality, and vividness to facts. There is no departure from the events and experiences in the student-life of the immortal reformer. The facts are presented substantially as they are given by his biographers, particularly, Dr. D'Aubigne, in his 'History of the Reformation in the Time of Calvin.'"

"The author is persuaded that the youth of our times need to study more attentively the history of Protestantism and the lives of the Reformers, as one means of guarding them against the many great evils that are threatening the true Church of Christ. If this unpretending volume shall contribute to this end, he will hope, that certain broken hours of recreation from severer studies for the pulpit, and from the pressing duties of a pleasant pastorate, have been well employed in the service of the Divine Master, to whom an account must be rendered for all time and for every talent."

William Maxwell Blackburn (1828-1898) clergyman, born in Carlisle, Indiana, 30 December 1828. He was graduated at Hanover College, Indiana, in 1850, and at Princeton theological seminary in 1854. He was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, from 1856 till 1863, and at Trenton, New Jersey, from 1854 till 1868, in which year he was called to the chair of biblical and ecclesiastical history in the Presbyterian theological seminary of the northwest at Chicago, Illinois, which he held until 1881, when he became pastor of the Central Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1884 he was called to the presidency of the territorial University of North Dakota, and in 1886 became president of Pierre University at East Pierre, Dak. He published special studies in religious history and biography and numerous story-books for the young, and has contributed to the "Princeton Review" and the "American Presbyterian Review."

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $8.95 (list price $15.00)

Order Along with Sequel "Young Calvin in Paris"
SGCB Price: $16.50 (list price $30.00)
45% Off Until October 31st
YOUNG CALVIN IN PARIS
And the Little Flock that he Fed
William M. Blackburn

This is the powerful sequel to "The College Days of Calvin." The author, William M. Blackburn, sought to exhibit young Calvin in Paris, as a modest and devout man, performing the work of a city missionary, unhindered by his natural diffidence, and unterrified by the threatening fires of persecution flaming around him. Although written with an eye to young people, to set forth the facts in the early life of John Calvin, in a manner that would interest and inform them, it has a beautiful simplicity that makes it rivetting reading for those of any age.

"I know of no other books on Calvin that so easily stir the interest of the average reader as do these two works by William M. Blackburn, now happily being reprinted by Solid Ground Christian Books." - Dr. Joel R. Beeke

William Maxwell Blackburn (1828-1898) clergyman, born in Carlisle, Indiana, 30 December 1828. He was graduated at Hanover College, Indiana, in 1850, and at Princeton theological seminary in 1854. He was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, from 1856 till 1863, and at Trenton, New Jersey, from 1854 till 1868, in which year he was called to the chair of biblical and ecclesiastical history in the Presbyterian theological seminary of the northwest at Chicago, Illinois, which he held until 1881, when he became pastor of the Central Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1884 he was called to the presidency of the territorial University of North Dakota, and in 1886 became president of Pierre University at East Pierre, Dak. He published special studies in religious history and biography and numerous story-books for the young, and has contributed to the "Princeton Review" and the "American Presbyterian Review."

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $8.95 (list price $14.99)

45% Off When you Order with "The College Days of Calvin"
SGCB Price: $16.50 (list price $29.98)
45% Off Until October 31st

click for details THE PATRIOTIC REFORMER
The Life and Times of Ulrich Zwingli
William M. Blackburn

"No other reformer struck out a more original and independent course than Ulrich Zwingli (1483-1531). No other man attempted to be, at the same time, a preacher, author, statesman, military patriot and reformer. Why he gave such varied direction to his noble energies, and how well he succeeded in his efforts, it is partly the design of the present volume to show. His personal history is full of interesting incidents; his character rich in admirable qualitites; his public life conveys a lesson upon the mingling of religion and politics which it may be well to ponder in later times. The author has endeavoured to set forth the man and his friends as they grew in piety and laboured together in studying the Word of God, teaching and preaching the truth, and restoring the Church to the foundation of Christ and his Apostles. If the good seed of divine truth shall be found in the sheaves of this gleaning, and there be a soil for it in the reader's heart, the Lord may bless the volume now committed to his care." -from the Author's Preface

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $13.95 (list price $24.00)

Order with THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF YOUTH by Zwingli
SGCB Price: $18.95 (list price $35.00)
GENEVA'S SHIELD
A Story of the Swiss Reformation
William M. Blackburn

"The design of these chapters is to portray the rise of the Reformation in Geneva, Switzerland, and afford a picture of the struggles endured by those who first sought to deliver that city from the rule of Savoy and Rome. The historical story is written, mainly, for our young people, whom fact may benefit more than fiction. It is the opinion of the author, that church history can furnish rich material for the libraries which go into Sabbath schools and Bible classes. But the history must be written with life in it. Mere generalizations will not be read by the youth. It must have spirit as well as body. If this specimen shall not merely entertain for a day, but shall also instruct for a lifetime, the effort to impress gospel truth will have its reward." - from the Author's Preface

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $12.95 (list price $22.00)
ELIJAH OF THE ALPS
The Story of William Farel the Swiss Reformer
William M. Blackburn

William Farel (1489-1565) was a French evangelist, and a founder of the Reformed Church in the cantons of NeuchGtel, Berne and Geneva, and the Canton of Vaud Switzerland. He is most often remembered for having persuaded John Calvin to remain in Geneva in 1536, and for persuading him to return there in 1541, after their expulsion in 1538. Together with Calvin, Farel worked to train missionary preachers who spread the Protestant cause to other countries, and especially to France.

Farel was a fiery preacher and an energetic critic of the Roman Catholic Church. In the earliest years of the Reformation in France, he was a pupil of the pro-reform Catholic priest, Jacques Lefevre d'Etaples. While working with Lefevre in Meaux, he came under the influence of Lutheran ideas and became an avid promoter of them. He was forced to flee to Switzerland because of controversy that was aroused by his writings against the use of images in Christian worship.

The opposition of the bishop forced him to leave Geneva in 1532, but he returned in 1533 to lead a public disputation in favor of the Reformation. The people declared in favor of Farel and his colleagues, and in 1535 the town council formally proclaimed the adoption of the Reformation. Farel entreated Calvin to assist in the organization of the new Protestant republic. The two men drew up a statement of doctrine and immediately instituted widespread reform of church practices. These measures were too sudden and too strict to be generally accepted, and Calvin and Farel were forced to leave Geneva in 1538. Farel went to Basel and then to NeuchGtel, where he worked unceasingly for the return of Calvin to Geneva, which he achieved in 1541. Throughout his life he remained a confidant and consultant of Calvin

Interesting to note that as Calvin's friend, Farel was a promoter of Lutheran ideas in his youth. Today Calvinism and Lutheranism are two complete separate denominations, but Farel's relationship with both would show they had more in common than what is shown today.

PRE-PUBLICATION TITLE
SGCB Price: $13.95 (list price $24.00)

Order with THE PATRIOTIC REFORMER
SGCB Price: $25.00 (list price $48.00)
SPECIAL DISCOUNT UNTIL OCTOBER 31ST

Order with Two Other Blackburn "Young Calvin" Titles
SGCB Price: $30.95 (list price $54.00)
SPECIAL DISCOUNT UNTIL OCTOBER 31ST