Prières

8vo., Twenty-Sixth Edition, some minor age-staining (mainly marginal), neat early nineteenth century inscription on front paste-down; contemporary tree calf, very neatly rebacked in calf to style, old backstrip ruled and tooled in gilt with original leather label lettered in gilt laid down, original endpapers preserved, speckled edges, a crisp firm copy in well restored period binding. Benjamin Jenks (1646-1724), clergyman and theological writer, officiated for a time as curate at Harley, vicar at Harley and Kenley, and chaplain to Francis, Viscount Newport, the patron of these livings. Little is known of him other than his several works, of which his 'Prayers and Offices of Devotion for Families' is by far the most important. First published in two volumes in 1697, the collection was an immediate success and quickly became a liturgical standard. The first Simeon edition, as here, increased the work's popularity and was many times reissued throughout the nineteenth century. Charles Simeon himself was a leading activist in the overseas missionary movement.