Complete Stroke Prevention and Treatment An Evidence Based Approach 2nd Edition Jeffrey L. Saver PDF For All Chapters
Complete Stroke Prevention and Treatment An Evidence Based Approach 2nd Edition Jeffrey L. Saver PDF For All Chapters
com
https://textbookfull.com/product/stroke-prevention-and-
treatment-an-evidence-based-approach-2nd-edition-jeffrey-l-
saver/
OR CLICK BUTTON
DOWNLOAD NOW
https://textbookfull.com/product/schizophrenia-treatment-outcomes-an-
evidence-based-approach-to-recovery-amresh-shrivastava/
textboxfull.com
https://textbookfull.com/product/medical-and-surgical-treatment-of-
parathyroid-diseases-an-evidence-based-approach-1st-edition-brendan-c-
stack/
textboxfull.com
https://textbookfull.com/product/difficult-decisions-in-vascular-
surgery-an-evidence-based-approach-1st-edition-christopher-l-skelly/
textboxfull.com
https://textbookfull.com/product/the-mediterranean-diet-an-evidence-
based-approach-2nd-edition-victor-r-preedy/
textboxfull.com
Internet Addiction in Adolescents The PROTECT Program for
Evidence Based Prevention and Treatment Katajun Lindenberg
https://textbookfull.com/product/internet-addiction-in-adolescents-
the-protect-program-for-evidence-based-prevention-and-treatment-
katajun-lindenberg/
textboxfull.com
https://textbookfull.com/product/infectious-diseases-an-evidence-
based-approach-vikas-mishra/
textboxfull.com
https://textbookfull.com/product/education-and-learning-an-evidence-
based-approach-1st-edition-jane-mellanby/
textboxfull.com
https://textbookfull.com/product/cannabis-in-medicine-an-evidence-
based-approach-kenneth-finn/
textboxfull.com
Edited by
Jeffrey L. Saver
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California
Graeme J. Hankey
Medical School, The University of Western Australia
University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
One Liberty Plaza, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10006, USA
477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
314–321, 3rd Floor, Plot 3, Splendor Forum, Jasola District Centre,
New Delhi – 110025, India
79 Anson Road, #06–04/06, Singapore 079906
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107113145
DOI: 10.1017/9781316286234
© Cambridge University Press 2005, 2021
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2005
Reprinted 2006
Second edition 2021
Printed in the United Kingdom by TJ Books Ltd, Padstow Cornwall
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Saver, Jeffrey L., editor. | Hankey, Graeme J., editor. | Hankey, Graeme J. Stroke treatment and prevention.
Title: Stroke prevention and treatment : an evidence-based approach / edited by Jeffrey L. Saver, Graeme J. Hankey.
Other titles: Stroke treatment and prevention.
Description: Second edition. | Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2020. | Preceded by
Stroke treatment and prevention : an evidence-based approach / Graeme J. Hankey. 2005. | Includes bibliographical references and
index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019038966 (print) | LCCN 2019038967 (ebook) | ISBN 9781107113145 (hardback) | ISBN 9781316286234
(ebook)
Subjects: MESH: Stroke – prevention & control | Stroke – therapy | Stroke Rehabilitation | Evidence-Based Medicine
Classification: LCC RC388.5 (print) | LCC RC388.5 (ebook) | NLM WL 356 |DDC 616.8/1–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038966
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038967
ISBN 978-1-107-11314-5 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication
and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
................................................................................................................................
Every effort has been made in preparing this book to provide accurate and up-to-date information that is in accord with accepted
standards and practice at the time of publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases, every effort has been made to
disguise the identities of the individuals involved. Nevertheless, the authors, editors, and publishers can make no warranties that the
information contained herein is totally free from error, not least because clinical standards are constantly changing through research
and regulation. The authors, editors, and publishers therefore disclaim all liability for direct or consequential damages resulting from
the use of material contained in this book. Readers are strongly advised to pay careful attention to information provided by the
manufacturer of any drugs or equipment that they plan to use.
Stroke Prevention
and Treatment
Second Edition
Stroke Prevention
and Treatment
An Evidence-based Approach
Second Edition
Edited by
Jeffrey L. Saver
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California
Graeme J. Hankey
Medical School, The University of Western Australia
University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
One Liberty Plaza, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10006, USA
477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
314–321, 3rd Floor, Plot 3, Splendor Forum, Jasola District Centre,
New Delhi – 110025, India
79 Anson Road, #06–04/06, Singapore 079906
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107113145
DOI: 10.1017/9781316286234
© Cambridge University Press 2005, 2021
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2005
Reprinted 2006
Second edition 2021
Printed in the United Kingdom by TJ Books Ltd, Padstow Cornwall
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Saver, Jeffrey L., editor. | Hankey, Graeme J., editor. | Hankey, Graeme J. Stroke treatment and prevention.
Title: Stroke prevention and treatment : an evidence-based approach / edited by Jeffrey L. Saver, Graeme J. Hankey.
Other titles: Stroke treatment and prevention.
Description: Second edition. | Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2020. | Preceded by
Stroke treatment and prevention : an evidence-based approach / Graeme J. Hankey. 2005. | Includes bibliographical references and
index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019038966 (print) | LCCN 2019038967 (ebook) | ISBN 9781107113145 (hardback) | ISBN 9781316286234
(ebook)
Subjects: MESH: Stroke – prevention & control | Stroke – therapy | Stroke Rehabilitation | Evidence-Based Medicine
Classification: LCC RC388.5 (print) | LCC RC388.5 (ebook) | NLM WL 356 |DDC 616.8/1–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038966
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038967
ISBN 978-1-107-11314-5 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication
and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
................................................................................................................................
Every effort has been made in preparing this book to provide accurate and up-to-date information that is in accord with accepted
standards and practice at the time of publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases, every effort has been made to
disguise the identities of the individuals involved. Nevertheless, the authors, editors, and publishers can make no warranties that the
information contained herein is totally free from error, not least because clinical standards are constantly changing through research
and regulation. The authors, editors, and publishers therefore disclaim all liability for direct or consequential damages resulting from
the use of material contained in this book. Readers are strongly advised to pay careful attention to information provided by the
manufacturer of any drugs or equipment that they plan to use.
Stroke Prevention
and Treatment
Second Edition
Stroke Prevention
and Treatment
An Evidence-based Approach
Second Edition
Edited by
Jeffrey L. Saver
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California
Graeme J. Hankey
Medical School, The University of Western Australia
University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
One Liberty Plaza, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10006, USA
477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
314–321, 3rd Floor, Plot 3, Splendor Forum, Jasola District Centre,
New Delhi – 110025, India
79 Anson Road, #06–04/06, Singapore 079906
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107113145
DOI: 10.1017/9781316286234
© Cambridge University Press 2005, 2021
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2005
Reprinted 2006
Second edition 2021
Printed in the United Kingdom by TJ Books Ltd, Padstow Cornwall
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Saver, Jeffrey L., editor. | Hankey, Graeme J., editor. | Hankey, Graeme J. Stroke treatment and prevention.
Title: Stroke prevention and treatment : an evidence-based approach / edited by Jeffrey L. Saver, Graeme J. Hankey.
Other titles: Stroke treatment and prevention.
Description: Second edition. | Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2020. | Preceded by
Stroke treatment and prevention : an evidence-based approach / Graeme J. Hankey. 2005. | Includes bibliographical references and
index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019038966 (print) | LCCN 2019038967 (ebook) | ISBN 9781107113145 (hardback) | ISBN 9781316286234
(ebook)
Subjects: MESH: Stroke – prevention & control | Stroke – therapy | Stroke Rehabilitation | Evidence-Based Medicine
Classification: LCC RC388.5 (print) | LCC RC388.5 (ebook) | NLM WL 356 |DDC 616.8/1–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038966
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038967
ISBN 978-1-107-11314-5 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication
and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
................................................................................................................................
Every effort has been made in preparing this book to provide accurate and up-to-date information that is in accord with accepted
standards and practice at the time of publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases, every effort has been made to
disguise the identities of the individuals involved. Nevertheless, the authors, editors, and publishers can make no warranties that the
information contained herein is totally free from error, not least because clinical standards are constantly changing through research
and regulation. The authors, editors, and publishers therefore disclaim all liability for direct or consequential damages resulting from
the use of material contained in this book. Readers are strongly advised to pay careful attention to information provided by the
manufacturer of any drugs or equipment that they plan to use.
From Jeffrey L. Saver – I thank Don Easton, Ed Feldmann, Jose Biller, and
Lou Caplan for introducing me to evidence-based stroke medicine, and my
parents (Harry and Esther), wife (Kay), and son (Dash) for introducing me
to the world and evidence of its wonder.
From Graeme J. Hankey – I thank Charles Warlow, Peter Sandercock and
Jan van Gijn for introducing me to evidence-based stroke medicine, my
parents (Jean and John) and daughters (Genevieve and Michelle), and my
wife Claire for her longstanding love and support.
Contents
List of Contributors page ix
Preface – Jeffrey L. Saver and Graeme J. Hankey xiii
vii
Contents
viii
Contributors
Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, MA, PhD, FRCP Edin Salvador Cruz-Flores, MD, MPH, FAHA, FCCM,
Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of FAAN, FNCS
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of
Medicine; Texas Tech University Health Sciences
Craig Anderson, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
FAHMS
The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Stefan T. Engelter, MD, FESO, FEAN
Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Department of Neurology and Stroke Center,
Australia University Hospital Basel, Department of Clinical
Research, and Neurology and Neurorehabilitation,
Eivind Berge, MD, PhD, FESO University Department of Geriatric Medicine Felix
Department of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Platter; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Hospital Oslo, and Institute of Clinical Medicine,
University of Tromsø, Norway Jonathan J. Evans, BSc (Hons), DipClinPsychol, PhD
Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of
Leo H. Bonati, MD Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
Department of Neurology and Stroke Center,
University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Larry B. Goldstein, MD, FAAN, FANA, FAHA
Switzerland Department of Neurology and Kentucky
Neuroscience Institute, University of Kentucky,
Marian C. Brady, BSc (Hons), PhD, FRCSLT Lexington, KY, USA
Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions
Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, Graeme J. Hankey, MBBS, MD, FRACP, FRCP, FRCP
Glasgow, Scotland Edin, FAHA, FESO, FWSO, FAAHMS
Professor of Neurology, Medical School, The University
Sherri A. Braksick, MD of Western Australia; Consultant Neurologist, Sir
Department of Neurology, Division of Neurocritical Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
Care, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
James P. Klaas, MD
Martin M. Brown, MA, MD, FRCP Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester,
Stroke Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute MN, USA
of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
Gert Kwakkel, PhD, PT
Robert D. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, MOVE
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Research Institute Amsterdam, Amsterdam
MN, USA Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centre,
Askiel Bruno, MD, MS location VUmc, The Netherlands; Rehabilitation
Research Centre, Reade, The Netherlands; and
Department of Neurology, Section of Vascular
Department of Physical Therapy and Human
Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta
Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago,
University, Augusta, GA, USA
IL, USA
ix
List of Contributors
x
List of Contributors
Lawrence K.S. Wong MBBS(NSW), MHA(NSW), MD Kori Sauser Zachrison, MD, MSc
(NSW), MRCP(UK), FHKAM(Medicine), FRCP(Lond) Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Boston, MA, USA
China
xi
Preface
Since the first edition of this book was published in In this second edition of Stroke Treatment and
2005, the global burden of stroke has continued to Prevention we aim to update stroke clinicians and
rise. The number of new strokes each year, alive stroke practitioners with the optimal evidence for strategies
survivors, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost and interventions to treat stroke and prevent first and
to stroke annually, and stroke-related deaths per year recurrent stroke. Where available, randomized con-
have increased, despite stable or mildly declining age- trolled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of RCTs
adjusted stroke incidence rates and improved out- of the interventions are described and sourced pre-
comes among individuals experiencing stroke. The dominantly from the Cochrane Library.
increase in overall stroke numbers, despite reductions We have assembled an international panel of lead-
in rates, reflects global population growth, increasing ing experts who have kindly and generously contrib-
life expectancy, ageing of populations in developed uted chapters in their field of expertise. We trust that
countries, and heightened risks of non-communicable you will enjoy, and be enlightened by, their appraisal
disease in the developing world – and signals an of the best available evidence and their interpretation
ongoing need for this volume. The reduction in rates of its implications for clinical practice and future
reflects improved prevention and treatment of stroke, research. We are also grateful to John Wiley and
which has coincided with the development, rigorous Sons Limited for granting permission to reproduce
evaluation, and implementation into practice of an the forest plot figures from the Cochrane Library.
expanding array of effective treatments – testament
to the success of the collaborative, international accu- Jeffrey L. Saver
mulation of evidence to support best stroke care prac-
tices collated herein. Graeme J. Hankey
xiii
Part I Foundations
Chapter
Stroke: The Size of the Problem
1 Graeme J. Hankey
1
Table 1.1 Age-adjusted annual incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000 person-years), prevalence (per 100,000 people), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost (number, and per
100,000) for all stroke, ischaemic stroke, and haemorrhagic stroke, in 1990, 2005, 2010, and 2015
Haemorrhagic stroke
Incidence 2,840,177 69 (62–77) 4,636,828 80 (71–92) 5,324,997 82 (72–93) 47% ↑ 18.5% ↑ globally
8% (1–15%) ↓ HIC
22% (5–30%) ↑ LMIC
DALYs lost 53,882,164 1267 63,379,792 1081 62,842,896 956 14% ↑ 39% (32–44%) ↓ HIC
(1068–1484) (935–1234) (828–1104)
25% (7–38%) ↓ LMIC
Mortality 2,419,372 60 (51–70) 2,983,097 52 (45–59) 3,038,763 46 (40–53) 20% ↑ 38% (32–43%) ↓ HIC
23% (–7–36%) ↓ LMIC
Source: Adapted from Krishnamurthi et al., 2013, 2014; Feigin et al., 2014; Bennett et al., 2014, and GBD 2015 Neurological Disorders Collaborator Group, 2017.
CI: confidence interval. HIC: high-income countries. LMIC: low- and middle-income countries. UI: uncertainty interval.
Graeme J. Hankey
4
Stroke: The Size of the Problem
5
Graeme J. Hankey
6
Another Random Scribd Document
with Unrelated Content
welcome. This application for entertainment was always made
according to the custom of the people, and in their own vernacular,
which I will illustrate by an example.
In my horseback-journeyings I had reached the tall, dense, heavy
forests of the bottom-lands of the Mississippi River, about a dozen
miles from the Father of Waters. As the sun was about setting, I
came upon a large "dead'ning," where the underbrush had been cut
out and burned off, the large trees had been girdled and had died,
and a crop of corn had been raised among the dead forest-trees,
before the new-comer in this wilderness had been able to completely
clear a field around his newly-erected log-cabin. Turning off from the
corduroy-road upon which I had been traveling, I took a footpath,
and, following that, was soon as near the cabin as a high rail-fence
would allow me to approach on horseback. A short distance from this
log-cabin was a still smaller one occupied by a colored aunty and her
family, and used for a kitchen; and not far off still another log-
building, used for a barn and stable.
The most of my readers in the older sections of the country will
suppose that I had now only to dismount, hitch my horse, climb the
fence, rap at the door, and so gain admittance to my resting-place for
the night. Far otherwise. Only the most untraveled and
inexperienced in the Brush would undertake so rash an experiment.
Sitting upon my horse, I called out in a loud voice, "Hello there!" That
call was for the same purpose that the city pastor mounts the stone
steps and rings the bell at the door of his parishioner. It was rather
more effective.
A large pack of hounds and various other kinds of dogs responded
with a barking chorus, a group of black pickaninnies rushed from the
adjacent kitchen, followed to the door by their sable mother, with
arms a-kimbo and hands fresh from mixing the pone or corn-dodger
for the family supper; all, with distended eyes and mouth, and
shining ivory, staring at the stranger with excited and pleased
curiosity. At almost the same instant, the mistress of the incipient
plantation approached the door of her cabin, stockingless and
shoeless, with a dress of woolsey woven in her own loom by her own
hands, and cut and made by her own skill, with face not less pleased
and excited than the others, and her cordial greeting of "How d'y,
stranger—how d'y, sir? 'Light, sir! [alight]—'light, sir!"
Remaining upon my horse, I replied: "I am a stranger in these parts,
madam. I have ridden about fifty miles since morning and am very
tired. Can I get to stay with you to-night, madam?"
"Oh, yes," she replied, promptly, "if you can put up with our rough
fare. We never turn anybody away."
I told her I should be very glad to stay with her, and dismounted. The
dogs, who would otherwise have resisted my approach to the door
by a combined attack, obeyed their instructions not to harm me, and
granted me a safe entrance as a recognized friend.
Such was the universal training of the dogs, and such the uniform
method of approaching and gaining admittance to the houses of the
people in the Brush. My hostess informed me that her husband was
at work in the "dead'ning," but that he would soon be at home and
take care of my horse.
I told her that I could do that myself, and she sent her little son along
with me to the stable, where I bestowed that kind and, I may say,
affectionate care that one who journeys for years on horseback
learns to bestow upon his faithful horse. I then entered the cabin,
and received that warm welcome that awaits the traveler in our
Western wilds.
Shall I describe my home for the night? It was a new log-house, less
than twenty feet square, and advanced to a state of completeness
beyond many in which I had lodged, inasmuch as the large openings
between the logs had been filled with "chink and daubing." The
chimney, built upon the outside of the house, was made of split
sticks, laid up in the proper form, and thoroughly "daubed" with mud,
so as to prevent them from taking fire. A large opening cut through
the logs communicated with this chimney, and formed the ample
fireplace. The roof was made of "shakes"—pieces of timber rived out
very much in the form of staves, but not shaved at all. These were
laid upon the roof like shingles, except that they were not nailed on,
but "weighted on"—kept in their places by small timbers laid across
each row of "shakes" over the entire roof. These timbers were kept
in their places by shorter ones placed between them, transversely,
up and down the roof. In this manner the pioneer constructs a roof
for his cabin, by his own labor, without the expenditure of a dime for
nails. With wooden hinges and a wooden latch for his door, he needs
to purchase little but glass for his windows, to provide a comfortable
home for his family. His latch-string, made of hemp or flax that he
has raised, or from the skin of the deer which he has pursued and
slain in the chase, which, as the old song has it—
"Hangs outside the door,"
symbolizes the cordial welcome and abounding hospitality to be
found within.
At the end of the room opposite the fireplace there was a bed in
each corner, under one of which there was a "trundle-bed" for the
children. There was no chamber-floor or chamber above to obstruct
the view of the roof. There was no division into apartments, not even
by hanging up blankets, a device I have seen resorted to in less
primitive regions. From floor to roof, from wall to wall, all was a single
"family" room, which was evidently to be occupied by the family and
myself in common. A rough board table, some plain chairs, and a
very few other articles completed the inventory of household
furniture of the pioneer's home to which I had been welcomed.
Such a home was the birthplace of Lincoln, and many other of the
greatest, wisest, and best men that have ever blessed our country.
Such homes have been crowned with abundance, and have been
the scenes of as much real comfort and joy as any others in our
land.
I have found that curiosity is a trait that is not monopolized by any
one section of country or class of people. It belongs to all localities,
and to all grades and kinds of people. I therefore, in accordance with
what a pretty wide experience had taught me was the best course to
pursue, proceeded at once to gratify the curiosity of my hostess as to
who her guest was, and what business had brought him to this wild
region. I told her my name, and that I was a Presbyterian preacher,
and an agent of the American Bible Society. This not only satisfied
her curiosity, but was very gratifying information to her, and I
received a renewed and cordial welcome to her home as a minister
of the gospel.
In the course of the ordinary conversation and questions that attend
such a meeting of strangers in the Brush, I learned that she and her
husband had emigrated from a county some hundreds of miles east,
which I had several times visited in the prosecution of my mission,
and I was able to give her a great deal of information in regard to her
old neighbors and friends. We were in the midst of an earnest
conversation in regard to these people, when her husband came in
from his labors. On being introduced to me, and informed in regard
to my mission, he repeated the welcome his wife had already given
me to the hospitality of their cabin.
Our supper was such as is almost universally spread in the wilds of
the Southwest. It consisted of an abundance of hot corn-bread, fried
bacon, potatoes, and coffee. A hard day's labor and a long day's ride
prepared us to do it equal justice.
The evening wore rapidly away in conversation. Such pioneers are
not dull, stupid men. Their peculiar life gives activity to mind as well
as body. My host was anxious and glad to hear from the great
outside active world, with which I had more recently mingled, and
had questions to ask and views to give as to what was going on in
the political and religious world.
At length our wearied bodies made a plea for rest that could not be
refused, and I was invited to conduct their family worship. This
invitation was extended in the language and manner peculiar to the
Southern and Southwestern sections of the country. This is
universally as follows:
The Bible and hymn-book are brought forward by the host, and laid
upon the table or stand, when he turns to the preacher and says,
"Will you take the books, sir?"
That is the invitation to lead the devotions of the family in singing and
prayer. It has been my happy lot to receive and respond to that
invitation—as I did that night—in many hundreds of families and in
some of the wildest portions of our land.
The method of extending an invitation to "ask a blessing" before a
meal is quite as peculiar. Being seated at the table, the host, turning
to the preacher, says, "Will you make a beginning, sir?"—all at table
reverently bowing their heads as he extends the invitation, and while
the blessing is being asked.
So, too, I have "made a beginning" at many a hospitable board in
many different States. I did not that night make the mistake that is
reported of an inexperienced home-missionary explorer, in similar
circumstances, who, laboring under the impression that "to retire"
and "to go to bed" were synonymous terms, said, "Madam, I will
retire, if you please."
"Retire!" she rejoined; "we never retires, stranger. We just goes to
bed."
Sitting with the family before the large fireplace, I said, "Madam, I
have ridden a long distance to-day, and am very tired."
"You can go to bed at any time you wish, sir," said she. "Just take the
left-hand bed."
I withdrew behind their backs to "lay my garments by," took the left-
hand bed, turned my face to the left-hand wall, and slept soundly for
the night.
When I awoke in the morning, husband and wife had arisen and left
the room, he to feed his team, and she to attend to her household
duties in the kitchen. After an early breakfast, and again leading their
family devotions, I bade them good-by, with many thanks for their
kindness, and with repeated invitations on their part to be sure to
spend the night with them should I ever come that way again. But I
have never seen them since.
I have very often recalled a hospitable reception in the Brush, of a
very different character, the recollection of which has always been
exceedingly pleasant to me. Wishing to visit a rough, wild, remote
region, at a season of the year when the roads were almost
impassable on account of the spring rains and the mud, I concluded
to go the greater part of the distance by steamboats, down one river
and up another, and then ride about fifty miles in a stage or mail-
wagon. The roads would scarcely be called roads at all in most parts
of the country, and I shall not be able to give to many of my readers
any true idea of the exceeding roughness of that ride. A considerable
part of the way was through the bottom-lands of one of the smaller
Southwestern rivers that swell the volume of the Mississippi. A
recent freshet had left the high-water mark upon the trees several
feet higher than the backs of our horses; and as we jolted over the
small stumps and great roots of the trees, from which the earth had
been washed away by the freshet, I was wearied, exceedingly
wearied, by the rough road and comfortless vehicle in which I
traveled.
At length we came upon a very pleasant plantation, with a
comfortable house and surroundings, where the driver, a boy about
fifteen years old, told me he would feed his team, and we would get
our dinner. It was not an hotel. Mail-contractors in this region often
make such arrangements to procure feed for their horses and meals
for the few passengers that they carry, at private houses. As I
entered the house I was greeted with one of those calm, mild, sweet
faces that one never forgets. I should think that my hostess was
between thirty-five and forty years old. I was too weary to engage in
much conversation, and she was quiet, and said very little to me. As
I observed her movements about the room in preparing the dinner, I
thought I had never seen a face that presented a more perfect
picture of contentment and peace. I felt perfectly sure that she was a
Christian—that her face bespoke "the peace of God that passeth all
understanding." When she invited the driver and myself to take seats
at the table, I said, "Shall I ask a blessing, madam?"
With a smile she bowed assent, and, as I concluded and looked up,
her face was all radiant with joy, and she said excitedly, "You are a
preacher, sir!"
I replied, "Yes, madam."
"Well," she responded, "I am glad to see you. I love to see
preachers. I love to cook for them, and take care of them. I love to
have them in my house."
I told her who I was, explained the character of my mission, and
expressed, I trust with becoming warmth, my gratification at the
cordiality of her welcome.
"Oh," said she, "if I was a man, I know what I would do. I would do
nothing but preach. I'd go, and go, and go; and preach, and preach,
and preach. I wouldn't have anything to pester me. I wouldn't marry
nary woman in the world. I'd go, and go, and go—and preach, and
preach, and preach, until I could preach no longer; and then I'd lie
down—close my eyes—and—go on."
Was there ever a more graphic and truthful description of an earnest,
apostolic life? Was there ever a more simple, beautiful description of
a peaceful Christian death? They recall the statement of Paul, "This
one thing I do"; and the story of Stephen, "And when he had said
this, he fell asleep."
The people who have spent their lives deep in the Brush, as this
good woman had, have no other idea of a preacher of the gospel but
one whose duty and mission it is to "go" and "preach." They have
been accustomed to hearing but one message, or at most a few
messages, from their lips, and then hear their farewell words, listen
to their farewell songs, shake hands with them, and see them take
their departure to "go" and "preach" to others who, like them, dwell in
lone and solitary wilds. Meetings and partings like these have
originated and given their peculiar power to such refrains as—
"Say, brothers, will you meet us—
Say, brothers, will you meet us—
Say, brothers, will you meet us
On Canaan's happy shore?
Our website is not just a platform for buying books, but a bridge
connecting readers to the timeless values of culture and wisdom. With
an elegant, user-friendly interface and an intelligent search system,
we are committed to providing a quick and convenient shopping
experience. Additionally, our special promotions and home delivery
services ensure that you save time and fully enjoy the joy of reading.
textbookfull.com