Excellent and worthwhile read, especially if hymn writers interest you.
Plot
American siblings Annie and Drew travel through Europe with their old English friend Mr. Pipes. He takes them to visit such Reformation landmarks as castles, graves, statues, churches, schools, and homes through which the children and readers can see reformers come to life as perfectly normal people whom God lifted and used in great ways. As they encounter the common places great reformers lived in and around, Mr. Pipes tells the children true stories about these great men, their lives, and their hymns.
Morality
Mr. Pipes frequently encourages the kids to glorify God with their behavior. He admonishes them to respect each other and their parents and teaches them that, "Worldliness makes sin look normal and righteousness look odd," but that, even so, they must stand up for righteousness. Any sin committed in the book is dealt with as such.
Spiritual Content
The main characters are strong Christians, and much of the book is discussions of their faith.
Violence
Mr. Pipes tells some non-descriptive stories of men who were less then appreciated by some. They suffer some persecution but Mr. Pipes, if he tells what they suffer, does so in a vague and wholesome way.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Mr. Pipes smokes a pipe.
Sexual Content
None.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
Phrases like "I'll be dashed if..." or "the little blighter!" appear a few times.
Conclusion
In this book, Mr. Bond has succeeded in smoothly combining spiritually instructive fiction, enjoyable historical teaching, and good poetry with reading ease. Mr. Bond, through Mr. Pipes, successfully contrasts quality hymns and semi-secular shallow Christian songs. Altogether, this is an entertaining book full of encouraging hymn-writers' biographies and life-changing spiritual lessons.
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