HARVEY Christian Publishers

The Royal Series

Posted on January 22, 2014June 7, 2018 by

The Royal Series

The Royal Exchange, Royal Counsel and Royal Purposes are the first three books in the “Royal” series and were among the first books written and compiled by E. F. & L. Harvey.They were published in the 1960′s. Each book contains thirty-one short readings—one for every day of the month. Royal Exchange is on the subject of prayer, Royal Counsel on the Word of God, and Royal Purposes on the purposes of God in suffering. Then came Royal Insignia in 1992. It is a much larger book—one hundred two-page readings on humility, the badge of every true believer in Christ. It is perhaps the most widely read of all the series and is considered a classic on the subject of humility. Finally, Royal Pilgrimage was published in 1999 and emphasizes the fact that all followers of Christ are pilgrims and strangers on this earth. Their citizenship is in Heaven.

The Royal Series are published by Harvey Christian Publishers and are available in their Online Christian Bookstore.

Royal Pilgrimage

Posted on January 22, 2014June 7, 2018 by

Royal Pilgrimage

Royal Pilgrimage is the last book in the “Royal Series”, which is published by Harvey Christian Publishers and available in their Online Christian Bookstore. It is written by Lillian G. Harvey. It focuses on the Biblical truth that we, as Christ’s followers, are strangers and pilgrims here on earth. Here are some of the chapter headings to whet your appetite:

“The Marks of a Pilgrim; Invaders from another world; Made for the Flight; The One Perfect Pilgrim; Live Like an Overnight Guest; The Loneliness of the Pilgrim; Exiled with the King” and many others.

“Work thou in me, and Heaven would guide
My thoughts and wishes, that my heart
Waver no more, nor turn aside,
But fix forever where Thou art.
Thou art not far from us; who loves Thee well,
While yet on earth, in Heaven with Thee may dwell.”
G. Tersteegen. (Royal Pilgrimage, p. 64.)

How They Prayed

Posted on December 31, 2013June 7, 2018 by

The books on prayer: “How They Prayed” by E. F. and L. Harvey.

“How They Prayed!” This is the title to a series of three books written by E. & L. Harvey and published by Harvey Christian Publishers and available on their online Christian bookstore. The words “How They Prayed” can be taken as a simple statement or an exclamation. As the former, we discover the manner in which “they prayed” and find encouragement and help to pray more effectively and constantly.

As the latter, we are amazed and humbled at the manner in which “they prayed.” “They” prayed through illnesses, storms, misunderstandings, abuses, births, deaths, successes, failures. They prayed when the sun shone and when the storms raged. They prayed when the rain fell and when spiritual drought threatened to overwhelm their lives. They prayed with tears, with joy, with, with supplications, with gratitude, with praise, with faith.

All very well, you say, but what is meant by “they”? The answer is simple–men and women of varying ages, denominations, and cultures—fathers, mothers, children, pastors, missionaries—people like you and I. However, if you happen to be a mother or father or grandparent or child and you are pretty sure to be one of them at least, then “How They Prayed Volume One” is a good starter. In it, you will read of people like you and I who prayed for family members—simple-hearted people, working people, ordinary people—and saw God answer. Or if you have been called to public ministry of some kind or other, then “How They Prayed Volume Two” might just be the book for you for in it are examples of God’s servants who interceded for the people in their care. They asked God to send a blessing and they prayed till He did just that. As for “How They Prayed Volume Three,” it has particular interest for those of you on the mission-field, either at home or abroad, who wish to see God work in reviving power. You will read in this volume of how God sent various revivals in answer to the prayer of missionaries and pastors.

Although the three volumes in this “How They Prayed” series are distinct from each other, they all have the same message—pray till God answers; pray till you are changed; pray at all times; pray in all places. This was the desire of Edwin and Lillian Harvey as they penned these books. “Never,” they write in the foreword to Volume Three, “in the history of the world has there been an era of such great opportunity. May we give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word!”

How They Prayed Volume Three

Posted on December 30, 2013June 7, 2018 by

How They Prayed Volume Three

This book on prayer published by Harvey Christian Publishers and written by Edwin and Lillian Harvey has a subtitle: “Missionaries and Revival.” The book tells of the role prayer prayed in various revivals, focusing in the latter half of the book on revivals abroad and how various missionaries prayed until God sent revival.

Harvey Christian Publishers first published this book in 1987 together with its two predecessors in this “How They Prayed” series. I had the privilege of editing these volumes and can remember being touched by various stories of how God’s servants prayed. However, the incident which stands out the most to me is found in this third volume. It is the last chapter of the book and is entitled “Revival in the Congo.”

The setting for this true story is the Belgian Congo. The Belgian government has just issued an edict that whites could only man twelve mission stations. This meant that many stations had to be closed. One of these was at Imbai where Jack Roberts and his two sisters had been laboring. Jack was ordered by his mission to pioneer in a new area while the two ladies were left at Imbai and given six months to prepare for their final move.

Being women of prayer, Lily Roberts and her younger sister fell on their knees and asked God to work among the native Christians at Imbai. If they were to be left on their own, they needed to be strong in the Lord. In other words, the two lady missionaries prayed for a revival. “Send a second Pentecost, Lord,” Lily pled. And the answer came back, “You have asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if you can pray the price, you can have what you asked. “My life for revival,” was Lily’s response.

I will not relate the whole story here, for “How They Prayed Volume Three” is available at the online Christian Bookstore of Harvey Christian Publishers. Suffice it to say, that I was deeply moved as I read of how God answered Lily’s prayer by beginning to search their own lives, how a deep repentance followed and then a marvelous blessing which soon spread throughout the whole station. My tears fell on the keyboard as I attempted to edit the manuscript on the screen in front of me. Yes, God answered Lily’s prayer but there was a cost. The revival so spread to the surrounding area, that missionaries became inundated with people seeking God. Lily’s strength eventually gave out and, yes, she literally gave her life for that Revival. What devotion! What prayer! What blessing!

How They Prayed Volume One

Posted on December 28, 2013June 7, 2018 by

“How They Prayed Volume One”

“Prayers are deathless!” So wrote Lillian G. Harvey in foreword to “How They Prayed Volume One”, the first in a series published by Harvey Christian Publishers and written by Edwin and Lillian Harvey. This first volume tells of how family members prayed for each other–wives for their husbands and husbands for their wives; children for their parents and parents for their children.

And grandparents who prayed for their posterity are not forgotten either. Edwin and Lillian Harvey present practical examples of household praying. For those of us who are tempted to grow weary of praying, perhaps because of ill health, or lack of faith, or simply because our prayers are not seeming to be answered, these books will encourage us to keep on praying. All three books on prayer are found in Harvey Christian Publisher’s Online Christian Bookstore. The following poem concludes the first chapter of “How They Prayed Volume One”:

So long as there are homes to which men turn,
At close of day;
So long as there are homes where children are,
Where women stay–
If love and loyalty and faith be found
Across those sills–
A stricken nation can recover from
Its gravest Ills.

So long as there are homes where fires burn
And there is bread;
So long as there are homes where lamps are lit;
And prayers are said–
Although people falter through the dark,
And nations grope–
With God Himself back of these homes,
We have sure hope.

–Grace Crowell (page 10)

How They Prayed Volume Two

Posted on December 28, 2013June 7, 2018 by

“How They Prayed Volume Two”

“How They Prayed Volume Two”, is the second book in a series by that title published by Harvey Christian Publishers and written by Edwin and Lillian Harvey. This second volume tells of how pastors prayed for their congregations. It relates stories of praying preachers from various denominational backgrounds and countries.

We may be familiar with many of the names quoted in this book on prayer, but do we know much of their prayer life? Have we ever caught a glimpse into their behind-the-scenes intercession for the many families and individuals in their care? Take, for example, George Fox who founded the Quakers, or John Wesley who is known as the “Father of Methodism,” or George Muller who prayed orphanage after orphanage into being, or Jonathan Edwards, an apt theologian as well as revivalist. We may know much of what these men accomplished, but do we know how they prayed? And what about courageous preacher-reformers such as John Knox, Alexander Peden, or the preacher-authors such as G. D. Watson and Harold St. John–we may be acquainted with their heroic deeds and read their books but what role did prayer play in their personal lives? Edwin and Lillian Harvey share with us how they prayed.

“More sips!” some cry; “more guns!”
“More fighters in the air!”
But wise the king who adds,
“More prayer!”

Remember, angels use
This ancient thoroughfare;
So keep their highway clear–
More prayer!

One day will not suffice
To meet time’s wear and tear,
Each hour of life must see
More prayer!

Again and yet again,
The scrolls of God declare:
“The deepest need of men–
More prayer
(Page 58)

Books on Prayer

Posted on December 18, 2013June 7, 2018 by

Harvey Christian Publishers are able to present a variety of books on prayer by Edwin and Lillian Harvey. The best known of these are “Kneeling We Triumph” Volumes One and Two. These each contain sixty two-page readings on prayer and have been translated into Russian, Romanian, Polish, and Spanish. They are challenging and comprehensive, covering many facets of the prayer-life, some not often touched upon in most books or sermons.

It is true that books on prayer are prolific and are to be found in every Christian bookstore. These books on prayer, however, are unique in that many voices representing a wide variety of ages, cultures, and denominations, sound out the same message: it is on our knees that we triumph. The books go on to point out hindrance to prayer–over-business, our own flesh, impatience and lack of perseverance and of course, behind all of these, Satan himself, the enemy to all prayer. They also point out that ways in which to cultivate a life of prayer: to be silent and take time to cultivate a relationship with
Edwin and Lillian intended the first book on prayer to be specifically for Christian ministers and workers and the second to be more applicable for the layperson. However, time has proved that both books are equally suitable for everyone who desires to learn to truly pray and prevail. Both these books are available in Harvey Christian Publisher’s online Christian bookstore.

The Velvet Curtain

Posted on December 17, 2013June 7, 2018 by

The Velvet Curtain Series

The phrase “The Velvet Curtain” was in the mind and heart of Trudy Harvey Tait long before she took up her pen to write “The Velvet Curtain Series.” Growing up in the cold war,she had often heard the phrase “The Iron Curtain” and was glad that she, for one, was privileged to live in the
West where such a curtain did not exist. Little by little, however, she came to discover that there was a Western counterpart which made itself felt from time to time.

Then, when she finally began to make yearly trips to Eastern Europe shortly after the fall of Communism and then return to her home in the States, she was conscious of another kind of “Curtain” which was smooth, velvety, and terribly smothering. This, she finally concluded was indeed a curtain of velvet which every true Christian has to combat if he or she wishes to survive spiritually. One day, she decided, she would write about this curtain. And, finally, she did, and so the series “The Velvet Curtain” came into being.

Harvey Christian Publishers does not normally publish novels but the trilogy “The Velvet Curtain Series,” is now available on its online Christian bookstore. And although they are not, strictly speaking, devotional books such as our books on prayer, humility, suffering, etc., they embrace all of these subjects, for how on earth is anyone to resist the smothering effects of the Velvet Curtain, if they do not bathe themselves in prayer, be clothed in humility, and be prepared to suffer? Christians belong not to a Western or Eastern Culture but to a Heavenly Kingdom and as citizens of that kingdom, their lives contradict at all points worldly systems and maxims.

When Trudy Harvey Tait wrote these books, she did not visualize their being printed in Eastern Europe but hoped they would be helpful to immigrants to the States to be forewarned that although they might have escaped the Iron Curtain, they would soon encounter a far more subtle “Curtain” as they began their new lives in the West. It wasn’t long however, before it became evident that in countries such as Romania and Russia, there was a crying need for such a warning. The Velvet Curtain was not confined to America or Western Europe but, following in freedom’s wake, it was attempting to enfold churches and individuals, who were basking in their newfound liberty, in its insidious folds. And it has turned out that The Velvet Curtain Series has actually more appeal in the East than here in the States. Why? Who knows? Perhaps one lady who owned a Christian Bookstore in the UK was right when she told a friend, “The person who wrote the Velvet Curtain was very courageous.” And when asked why, she replied, “Because the books are counter-cultural here in the West.” And her sentiments were echoed by a business man in the States who wrote that he had never been aware of this Velvet Curtain until he read the book “The Velvet Curtain,” the first in this series. It had made him aware of its danger and truly thankful.

Asking Father and Father Calling

Posted on December 16, 2013June 7, 2018 by

Asking Father and Father Calling
Fathers are important in our lives. And God our heavenly and eternal Father is the most important father of all. He existed before the world was and knew us before we were born. And He wishes to speak to us daily, hourly, momentarily, only we are often too busy to listen.
The companion books “Asking Father” and “Father Calling” published by Harvey Christian Publishers encourage children to treat God, though unseen, as their own precious father.

In the first, E. F. & L. Harvey relate true stories of how God listened to children when they talked to Him–it may have been to ask for something; it may have been for protection in a dangerous situation; it could have been to show them how to open their hearts to His love, to beg His forgiveness for themselves or for someone very dear to them. Whatever the cause, they asked and He answered, not always in the way they expected, but there was always an answer nevertheless, even, as in the case of young Amy Carmichael, the answer was a gentle but firm, “No!”
“Father Calling,” on the other hand, tells of how we not only speak to God but that He speaks to us. It tells specifically of how God called children to follow Him. We discover how well known Christian men and women first heard Him calling them: take Charles Spurgeon for example, or Lord Shaftsbury, or Wilson Carlile, or Adam Clarke–preachers, reformers, missionaries–many heard God call them to follow him at an early age. Edwin and Lillian Harvey, with the help of their daughter Trudy Harvey Tait, wrote these two books which may be purchased at Harvey Christian Publisher’s online bookstore in the hope that many boys and girls would be encouraged to pray and to listen, for we never know what God might wish to say to us at any time. Listening is hard sometimes in our noisy world, but oh so rewarding, especially when Someone Who never sleeps, or goes on vacation, or spends a week in the hospital is at the other end of the line. He knows every voice of every person He ever created, but do we know His?

The Velvet Curtain Series of Novels

Posted on December 12, 2013June 7, 2018 by

My dear wife, Trudy Harvey Tait, has written a series of novels beginning with, “The Velvet Curtain” followed by, “Behind the Velvet Curtain” then finally, “Escaping the Velvet Curtain.” At first I was a little dubious about novels but when I realized the powerful message she conveyed in such an artful manner my support was unbounded.

The Velvet Curtain is so subtle in its influence. Almost nobody is beyond it’s reach and those who think they have “Escaped the Velvet Curtain” should read her book with that title. She concludes that the only safeguard is to continually seek the strength and comfort of the Holy Spirit, doing the will of God.

The Velvet Curtain series is good reading for people of every generation. It has romance, intrigue, and humor without spelling out all the answers. Readers will be faced with many questions that have no easy answers. Someone has said that asking the right questions is half the battle, well Trudy has won half the battle for you. Your half is to read the book/books.
–R. Barry Tait.

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