A Rash Promise, and How It Ended by Ruth Lamb
"A Rash Promise, and How It Ended" by Ruth Lamb is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overconfidence in one's faith and the consequences of making promises without seeking divine guidance. The story is narrated by Mrs. Greaves, a Bible-woman who recounts the tragic downfall of a young Sunday-school teacher. This young man, confident in his Christian faith, befriends an infidel who challenges him to read books that question his beliefs. Despite his initial confidence that his faith would remain unshaken, the young man finds his beliefs eroded by the infidel's arguments. As a result, he becomes a blasphemer and leads a life contrary to his former values. On his deathbed, he is tormented by the realization of his spiritual downfall and believes he is beyond redemption. Mrs. Greaves shares this story as a warning against the temptations of infidelity and the importance of relying on divine strength rather than personal confidence.
By Ruth Lamb · First published 1883 · Genre: Religious literature, Didactic fiction, Moral tragedy · 1,027 words
First lines
MRS. GREAVES was a Bible-woman, and her visits brought comfort to many a home where the roughest and least God-fearing in a great city had a welcome for her. We give the following narrative in her own words.
What this Textopian page supports
A Rash Promise, and How It Ended is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ruth Lamb, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ruth Lamb
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious literature, Didactic fiction, Moral tragedy, Inspirational narrative
- Length: 1,027 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Rash Promise, and How It Ended by Ruth Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Religious literature — The narrative centers on Christian faith, repentance, and divine judgment, making religious literature the most relevant genre.
- Didactic fiction — The story is intended as a warning and moral lesson, instructing readers on the pitfalls of rash promises and wavering faith.
- Moral tragedy — The account illustrates the tragic downfall of a once-faithful man, highlighting themes of regret, suffering, and ultimate loss.
- Inspirational narrative — Despite its somber tones, the work serves to inspire reflection and a return to piety, aligning it with inspirational storytelling.
Tags
romance · drama · betrayal · heartbreak · redemption · consequences · regret · forgiveness · instability · intrigue · transformation · mystery