Lamplighter Publishing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nSummary<\/strong><\/p>\nRobert Rightheart spends his days blacking boots beneath the shadow of the Royal Exchange\u2014trying to scrape together enough money to support his bedridden father and two small brothers. When a chance customer accidently overpays him for his work, Robert is faced with a decision that will shape the whole course of his future life. Are the lessons he has learned in the mission Sunday School strong enough to hold him to a course of unwavering honesty?<\/p>\n
This anonymous tale from the 1860s offers a vivid illustration of Psalm 67:3: \u201cTrust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.\u201d From the slums of London to a merchant\u2019s office in India\u2014from the depths of poverty to earthly prosperity\u2014Robert Rightheart demonstrates the power of a clean conscience and a life of integrity, founded on the love and strength of a living Saviour.<\/p>\n
I love the fact that Robert is an upright, Christian character from the very beginning of the book. His life is dedicated to the Lord\u2014and that dedication influences his conduct through every chapter.<\/p>\n
SAW Rating System<\/strong><\/h5>\nTotal Score\u201465\/100<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\nGreat Qualities\u201429\/50<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\nPlot development\u20145\/10<\/p>\n
Character development\u20144\/10<\/p>\n
Command of language\u20147\/10<\/p>\n
Impact of the book\u20147\/10<\/p>\n
Originality\u20146\/10<\/p>\n
Good Qualities\u201436\/50<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\nInnocence regarding evil\u20144\/10<\/p>\n
Active promotion of good\u20149\/10<\/p>\n
Level of spiritual challenge\u20147\/10<\/p>\n
Healthy view of life\u20147\/10<\/p>\n
Honouring God\u20149\/10<\/p>\n
Items of Note<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n- \n
Romance and morality<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThe hero\u2019s attraction to a girl who is both beautiful and godly is described as being natural to young men of his age, but the main emphasis is placed on her spiritual qualities.<\/p>\n
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Disturbing content<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThe modern preface contains references to child violence, historic violence, abortion, and gang involvement.<\/p>\n
In the story itself, omnibus horses fall \u201cwith a heavy thud\u201d and block up the road.<\/p>\n
Two paragraphs in different parts of the book describe gruesome Indian practices in disturbing detail. Some non-violent pagan customs are also mentioned.<\/p>\n
The hero\u2019s father and young child die of illness at different times in the story. A sailor dies and is buried at sea.<\/p>\n
A small child narrowly escapes being bitten by a cobra.<\/p>\n
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Language<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThe phrase \u201cLondon\/city Arab\u201d (referring to a nomadic lifestyle) is used to describe homeless children.<\/p>\n
The text contains several words such as \u201cgay\u201d and \u201cpromiscuous\u201d that contain negative connotations or have changed meanings in the modern world but are here used in their original (and innocent) sense.<\/p>\n
Ungodly boys speak of the hero as being \u201csoft\u201d and \u201ca fool\u201d and refer to an adult as \u201cthe old \u2019un\u201d.<\/p>\n
A group of sailors are generically described as being \u201cgiven to the grossest swearing\u201d before conversion.<\/p>\n
The villain of the story remains nameless, but is identified repeatedly by nationality as \u201cthe Spaniard.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Alcohol and drug use<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nPort wine is desired as medicine for an invalid.<\/p>\n
Brief mention is made of a \u201cmusical snuffbox\u201d.<\/p>\n
The influence of false religion is likened to poisoning one\u2019s soul with opiates.<\/p>\n
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