Tip Lewis and His Lamp by Pansy

Tip Lewis is the roughest boy in the village. When an older man befriends Tip and begins to tell him about Christ, Tip begins to change his ways. Is there truly redemption for a fatherless boy who has done so many things wrong? Will Tip’s life actually change or is this just a phase? Follow Tip through many years and see what becomes of him.

Reading Level: 10-14 (Although I think content is best appreciated by teens)
Read Aloud Age: 10+

Written in 1867, this novel fits the literature time period well: overtly Christian, realistic fiction. The writing is lovely and usually easy to follow, although if your child isn’t accustomed to reading older writings, they might need clarity here and there.

“Tip got on better at home than anywhere else; he had not so many temptations. He had been such a lawless, reckless boy that they had all learned to leave him very much to himself, and as not a great deal of his time was spent there, his trials at home were not many.”

This is a lovely story of the work of the Holy Spirit to transform any life, no matter the sinner. I appreciated how this work follows Tip for years to see him struggle, make mistakes, and continue on in his faith. The reality of the Christian life isn’t a “clean” or easy one and the author makes Tip and the other characters as well as their struggles believable. There are some heavy themes addressed including death.

As with much of the Christian literature of the day, this story leans Arminian in its theology. I would address some of the spiritual elements with my child (listed below), but it certainly would not deter me from handing this book to my child. It’s a beautiful story of redemption and clinging to the Word of God throughout your life.

Language:
stupid, ugly (a girl)

Questionable Behaviors:
Tip does many unwise things but they are never glorified, quite the opposite.

Spiritual Elements:
Tip’s prayer: “Oh, Jesus, I want…to be different; I’m a wicked boy. I want to go where [a baby Tip knew] is when I die; do show me how!”
Tip has a time where he is “listening” to two different voices, very much the devil on one shoulder, angel on the other idea.
One character is chided by an older man who is a Christian: “You belong to God, body and soul; He made you; He has kept you; He would save you, only you will not let Him. You can’t help the fact that you belong to Him; all you can do is to refuse to give Him your love, and let Him lead you to heaven, and this you are doing.”
When asked how to give yourself to Christ, the answer is: “Kneel down, then, here beside me, and say to God that you want to be saved from your sin and become His child; that you are willing to give yourself up to Him now and forever, to do just as He tells you.”

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