Rev William Sleeper (2 results)

Hardcover. First Edition. SIGNED and inscribed by Sleeper on front endpaper. The Rev. William T. Sleeper (1819-1904) was a dedicated Christian minister and missionary. Educated at Phillips Exeter Academy, the University of Vermont, and Andover Theological Seminary, he was ordained shortly after graduating in 1853. Sleeper moved to Northern Maine as a missionary and played a crucial role in founding several churches, including the Sherman Church and Island Falls Church. In Sherman, he was instrumental in establishing the church, where he became its first pastor, and a parsonage, both of which had a major impact on the local community. Sleeper, known for his perseverance and resourcefulness, used his creativity to fundraise for the church. He would usually travel on foot in all kinds of weather and would sing to sell books, visiting farmhouses and offering to sing a song to the woman of the house. His pleasant voice often led to additional song requests, which then ended in Sleeper sitting down for a hearty meal. These enjoyable interactions ultimately resulted in successful book sales. Sleeper was also a poet and hymn writer. His hymns, including "Out of My Bondage - Jesus I Come" and "Ye Must Be Born Again," are still included in various hymnals and continue to be appreciated by many, having had a lasting impact for nearly 150 years. As one woman recently remarked about "Out of My Bondage": "I grew up singing this song in church in Wisconsin as my dad was a Southern Baptist missionary from west Texas. We also sang it at our church in New Jersey where I have lived for 35 years. The message still rings true." (Steve Sleeper Music) 16mo, bound in original brown cloth with gilt-lettered title, beveled edges and embossed figure of Jesus sitting on rocks, overlooking the sea. The embossed figure is encircled by gilt flowers. Hinge starting. Bumping and fraying to head and tail of spine and all four corners. Soiling on both boards. There is a small air bubble under the cloth of the front board at the bottom right corner. All edges gilt. The inscription on the flyleaf reads: "Presented to Miss Houbles by the Author. W.m T. Sleeper. Nov. 24, 1895." Illustration of Jesus on frontispiece and other illustrations throughout. Some foxing to textblock. Short newspaper article cut and pasted on last three pages. Overall, a Very Good copy of a RARE and important work. .

8 unpaginated pages. 8vo. First edition. First edition. 8 unpaginated pages. 8vo. A small book of hymnals published by Lucius Paulinus Goddard for the Summer Street Church in Worcester, Massachusetts (now known as the Mission Chapel and registered under the National Register of Historic Places). Goddard ran a press in the later years of the nineteeth century and beginning of the twentieth and produced publications for the Princeton Public Library, geneaologies, circulars, and for churches in the area such as the First Congregational, Piedmont Congretional Church and Society, and the Summer Street Church. Stitch-bound stiff wrappers with hand painted raised lettering on cover with light soiling, some foxing. Dedicated from the publisher to "Mrs. M. L. Goddard on inside front cover. Overall near fine.