Examples of integrity and the pursuit of excellence from the old world of a man who works at the city’s street lighter of lamps. Suspense and mystery fills the story throughout until its conclusion. Themes: Virtue, integrity, compassion.

Poor Gertie is found in the snow with a high fever and no one to care for her-except the old lamplighter who lights the street lamps each night. See how God fills the life of this neglected and dejected little girl with hope as she learns to be a virtuous young woman. The Lamplighter is a rich story for those who long to remain pure of heart. This is the book that left such an impression on the life of Mark Hamby that he decided to name his company Lamplighter Publishing.

First published in 1854, The Lamplighter outsold The Scarlet Letter ten copies to one and was second in sales to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This book was a huge and immediate success – selling 40,000 copies in a few weeks, 70,000 in a year, and before long, over a million copies.

Character themes in this story: self-control, virtue and purity.