"A Very Present Help in Trouble contains the first English translation of the autobiography of a remarkable eighteenth-century Icelandic Lutheran priest, Jon Steingrimsson. He is a well known figure in the history of Iceland, especially for his heroic role in helping his parishioners survive a catastrophic volcanic eruption in 1783. This book begins with an introduction describing the living conditions of the Icelandic people of his time."--BOOK JACKET.