Books

A Novel on William the Silent  “The mind and the soul are not in the keeping of king nor priest — no man has a lordship over another man’s conscience. All history has proved that.” —William of Orange Here is a fascinating historical novel for teenagers and adults about one of the greatest heroes of all time. William of Orange, considered today the father of Europe (and who can also fittingly be called the step-father of North America and the whole free western world) sets the stage as stadtholder of the Roman Catholic King of Spain, Philip II. William, though a nominal Roman Catholic at the time, determines to help the persecuted Protestants and in the process marries the Protestant Princess Anne of Saxony. But will Anne truly be a helpmeet for her husband? When he is pressed to take up the sword against King Philip he does not hesitate. In his struggles, William not only finds the God of his mother but grows in courage and the conviction that God has chosen him to be a faithful instrument to gain freedom for Christ’s Church. William sacrifices all his possessions to pay the hired soldiers, but is it of any use? His brothers, Lodewyk, John, Adolphus, and Henry, also give all they have for the cause of freedom of a country which can hardly be called their own. Behind these heroes, a faithful praying mother, Juliana of Stolberg, waits for news at the German castle of Dillenburg.

A Story of the Faith "Not my sister," interposed Will. "I thought her your sister — but no matter. It makes no difference. You will take my message all the same. Have a care of the lantern, Boy; you will let it fall. Look! The light is out. Well, no harm is done; we will soon be at the clearing now, and in full daylight. I was saying — if you love me, Will, and that I am sure you do — say to Maria that the word we spoke to one another lies ever between us, and God heard it." Will was silent from amazement, perhaps from something else. "Do you hear me, Friend?" asked Bilek. "Yes, I hear," faltered Will. He felt as if a great stone had fallen on him and crushed him. In his pain he said a thing which perhaps, under all the circumstances, was not wise or generous.