Notes and Narratives of A Six Years' Mission, Principally Among The Dens of London

A vivid 19th-century account of London"s poorest districts through Vanderkiste"s missionary encounters and social critique, this book once belonged to philanthropist and banker, Samuel Gurney. On the publisher's original brown cloth binding with blind stamping.The book chronicles Vanderkiste"s six-year mission among the dens of London, focusing on missionary work among the urban poor and impoverished.His narrative depicts scenes and reflections: "A Fortune-Teller Converted," "Extreme Destitution," "Sanitary Arrangements," "Lamb and Flag Schools," "The Templars and Their Banner," "Struggles Against Superstition," "Is the Church Blameless?" and "Intemperance Precedes Lunacy."Bookplate of Samuel Gurney to front paste down. Samuel Gurney (1786-1856) was a wealthy Quaker banker and philanthropist, head of Overend, Gurney & Co., which became the world"s largest discount house in 19th-century London. He was also a leading social reformer, supporting his sister Elizabeth Fry"s prison reform work and promoting causes such as the abolition of slavery and improvements for the poor. On the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, smart. Spot of staining upper edge of front and rear board and towards the joints. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities, more so to upper extremities, resulting in slight loss to cloth. Slight rubbing to boards. Glue residue to gutter of font endpapers. Bookplate of S. Gurney Buxton, Catton Hall, Norfolk, to front free endpaper. The odd spot and slight handling mark to endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean with the odd spot heavier to first and last few leaves. Good.…