The Discipline of Sorrow

William Greenleaf Eliot

Jan 1863 · Walker, Wise,

Ratings and reviews

I first came across this book by W. G. Eliot when doing research on Archer Alexander,a book which W. G. Eliot wrote in 1885. This is a classic and it outlines the plight of Simon -Luke 2:29-31as an example for Christians. William Greenleaf Eliot was a well-known and regionally respected minister-, also the grandfather of T. S. Eliot, the poet- who suffered the loss of his 16 years old daughter Mary in 1855. She and others were ice skating in St.Louis, Mo. . 'I am aware from other research that W. G. Eliot went through bouts of depression as he had eight of his fourteen children die as minors or at childbirth. This book shows how he was able to cope with the loss of his daughter. Dr. Eliot was not only a man of faith, but a creature of reason. This short volume reeks of elegance . and thoughts....Those who sow tears shall reap in joy. He outlined four basic steps in dealing with sorrow or bereavement. First be prepared that you will many darks days ahead as this part of living and God will not shelter you from these dark day. One day there will be a trial period when you are tested. From that period, one deals an assessment of one's weakness and strengths and later the joy and other compensations that God will reward you. In many ways I sensed the influence of German theologists such as Von Puffendorf in how each of us as Christians have a duty -self-development, self-discipline, self-suffering and dedicating oneself to the community are how we show our love to God I am Errol D. Alexander, Arrowhead Institute , authour of the book, A Rattling of the Chains, which include W. G. Eliot as one of the main characters who became a personal friend and admirer of Archer Alexander, one of , the last fugitive slaves and my ancestor.