In Samuel McChord Crothers' 'By the Christmas Fire,' readers are treated to a collection of heartwarming and reflective essays that evoke the cozy atmosphere of gathering around the fireplace during the holiday season. Crothers' elegant prose and nostalgic storytelling transport readers to a bygone era, where themes of family, tradition, and the essence of Christmas are explored with depth and sensitivity. This book is a true literary gem, showcasing Crothers' talent for capturing the human experience in all its beauty and complexity. The essays in 'By the Christmas Fire' are sure to resonate with readers who appreciate timeless tales infused with warmth and wisdom. Crothers' work stands out for its ability to celebrate the spirit of Christmas in a way that feels both comforting and profound.

Humanly Speaking by Samuel McChord Crothers is a compelling collection of essays that delve into the intricacies of human nature and society. Written with a blend of wit and wisdom, Crothers explores the human condition and the complexities of interpersonal relationships with a keen eye for detail and a sharp sense of humor. Drawing on his own experiences and observations, Crothers' prose is both insightful and accessible, making it an engaging read for both scholars and general readers alike. Within the context of early 20th-century American literature, Humanly Speaking stands out for its enduring relevance and timeless wisdom on the human experience. Samuel McChord Crothers, a prominent essayist and minister, brings a unique perspective to his work as a respected intellectual and moral authority. His background in theology and ethics informs his writing, giving depth and resonance to his reflections on ethics and human behavior. This book showcases Crothers' profound understanding of human nature and his ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner. I highly recommend Humanly Speaking to readers interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships and behavior. Crothers' insightful essays are thought-provoking and offer valuable insights into the human condition, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

In "The Pardoner's Wallet," Samuel McChord Crothers presents a masterful exploration of the themes of morality, commerce, and human psychology, all interwoven with a biting wit and keen social commentary. Drawing from Chaucerian influences, Crothers adeptly employs a narrative style that blends allegory with satire, allowing readers to engage with the complexities of human motivations and the societal implications of avarice in a rapidly transforming America. The book navigates the intricacies of religious fraudulence through the lens of a fictionalized character whose wallet symbolizes both material wealth and moral bankruptcy, echoing the tension between spiritual values and economic pressures in the early 20th century. Samuel McChord Crothers, a prominent Unitarian minister and scholar, was known for his insightful critiques of American society and its ethical dilemmas. His background in theology and his experiences in a society grappling with modernization inform his nuanced perspective in this work. Crothers's keen awareness of the psychological underpinnings of greed and guilt clearly stems from his deep engagement with philosophical thought and moral inquiry, making him a uniquely qualified voice for this satirical tale. "The Pardoner's Wallet" is an essential read for those interested in literary explorations of ethics, religion, and society. Crothers invites readers to reflect on the price of morality in a world increasingly dominated by material pursuits. This book is not only a fascinating historical document but also a timeless cautionary tale that resonates with contemporary issues of integrity and the human condition.

I HAVE no plea to make for this fourteenth-century pardoner. He was an impudent vagabond, trafficking in damaged goods. One did not need to be a Lollard in order to see that he was a reprehensible character. Discerning persons in need of relics would go to responsible dealers where they could be assured of getting their money’s worth. This glib-tongued fellow peddling religious articles from door to door lived on the credulity of untraveled country people. He took advantage of their weaknesses. Many a good wife would purchase a pardon she had no need of, simply because he offered it as a bargain. This was all wrong. We all know how the business of indulgence-selling was overdone. There was a general loss of confidence on the part of the purchasing public; and at last in the days of the too enterprising Tetzel there came a disastrous slump. There was no market for pardons, even of the gilt-edged varieties. Since then very little has been doing in this line, at least among the northern nations. The pardoner richly deserved his fate. And yet there are times when one would give something to see the merry knave coming down the road. I suppose that the nature of each individual has its point of moral saturation. When this point is reached, it is of no use to continue exhortation or rebuke or any kind of didactic effort. Even the finest quality of righteous indignation will no longer soak in. With me the point of moral saturation comes when I attend successively more meetings of a reformatory and denunciatory character than nature intended me to profit by. If they are well distributed in point of time, I can take in a considerable number of good causes and earnestly reprobate an equal number of crying evils. But there is a certain monotony of rebuke which I am sure is not beneficial to persons of my disposition. That some things are wrong I admit, but when I am peremptorily ordered to believe that everything is wrong, it arouses in me a certain obstinacy of contradiction. I might be led to such a belief, but I will not be driven to it. I rebel against those censors of manners and morals who treat all human imperfectnesses with equal rigor. To relax even for an instant the righteous frown over the things that are going wrong, into an indulgent smile at the things that are not nearly so bad as they seem, is in their eyes nothing less than compounding a felony. If they would allow proper intervals between protests, so that the conscience could cool down, all would be well. But this is just what they will not allow. The wheels must go round without intermission until progress is stopped by the disagreeable accident of “a hot box.”

Collection of 32 essays by American authors ranging from Benjamin Frannklin to Emerson to Whitman to Henry James to Theodore Roosevelt. On topics literary, political and humorous spanning over a century of this form's development in America.