GOD'S WOMAN: Frances Ridley Havergal
Frances Ridley Havergal, nicknamed Fanny, the youngest of six children of William and Jane Havergal, was born on December 14, 1836 in Astley, Worcestershire, England. Her middle name, Ridley, was given to her in memory of Nicholas Ridley, one of the three men who came to be known as the "Oxford Martyrs". (Hugh Latimer and Thomas Cranmer were the other two). They were burned at the stake on October 16, 1555 for what were considered "heretical" teachings, doctrines which we know today as the fundamentals of the faith.
Frances’ father was rector of the Anglican Church in Astley. He was a very well-educated man and a hymnist. Her parents were devoted Christian workers. A very religious atmosphere pervaded the home. Fanny described her home life: "Beside the rich chords and tuneful songs in our home, there were wise and holy influences. Our parents' prayers and their fine example for living which they gave us were the keynotes of our child life."
Frances was able to read at the age of three. When Frances was four years old she was able to read the Bible and other adult books. She began writing poetry at age seven and her poems were soon published in some of the best religious periodicals. Frances truly had an exceptional intellect but, due to frail health, most of her learning occurred at home. She was fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Welsh, Italian and German. She memorized the Psalms, the book of Isaiah, and most of the New Testament.
When Frances was eleven years of age, she was called to the bedside of her dying mother, Jane. The mother urged the girl to give herself and her talents wholly to the Lord. "You are my youngest little girl," she said. "And I feel more anxious about you than the rest. I do pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. And, remember, nothing but the precious blood of Jesus can make you clean and lovely in God's sight." A little later she added, "Fanny, pray to God to prepare you for all that He is preparing for you." These words remained with Frances throughout her entire life.
Although the loss of her mother was quite traumatic, the Lord sent a woman into her life, Caroline Ann Cooke, who comforted and encouraged Frances in her faith. Three years later, her father decided to remarry and chose this same lady, Caroline, as his wife. She and Frances became very close.
As a young woman, Frances had a number of men seek her hand in marriage but she made the conscious choice to remain unmarried throughout her life, believing that to marry would distract and diminish the purity and singleness of her devotion to Jesus, whom she truly sought to serve to the best of her ability during every waking moment.
In addition to writing poetry, hymns, devotional tracts and narratives in prose, which were highly valued on both sides of the Atlantic, Frances was in demand as a concert soloist. She also was a brilliant pianist and served as choirmaster at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. She taught Sunday School, maintaining a record of each child’s name, birthday, something about their home conditions and the impression each child made on her in her roll book. She was very involved in the Temperance movement, foreign missions, Sunday School work for underprivileged boys, gospel missions among the sailors, and the YWCA. Hundreds of men and women, from various nations, would write her long letters, seeking advice on numerous personal concerns, and she would always try to write them back with helpful, spiritual counsel. She also started the Flannel Petticoat Society, which gave out clothing to poor children. She believed that to follow Christ, one must care for the temporal needs of others as well as their spiritual needs.
Frances was plagued with poor health most of her life, and was often in great pain, although she rarely let this be seen by any but her closest companions. She resolved not to let her physical condition deter her from living life to the fullest in service to her God and the people around her. Indeed, Frances regarded these times of suffering, which many might look upon as "disappointments," to be "God's appointments." She felt that they truly prepared her to be a better servant of the Lord and to be more in tune with the hurts and sufferings of others to whom she could then minister with greater empathy.
In 1876 when Frances Havergal was vacationing in the south of Wales, she became deathly ill. Her friends were amazed at how peacefully she received the news of her expected death. However, Frances did survive that illness and later that year she wrote the hymn "Like a River Glorious" in which she pointed to the source of her perfect peace: "Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest."
In 1879, Frances was staying in the home of her devoted sister, Maria, at Caswell Bay near Swansea, Wales. During her stay there, she caught a terrible cold, which eventually caused a severe inflammation of her lungs. When she was informed that this was a life-threatening illness, she became excited and exclaimed, "If I am really going, it is too good to be true!" She also stated, "Splendid! To be so near the gates of heaven!" She longed with all of her heart and soul to be at home with the Lord. When pain intensified, she was heard to whisper, "It's home the faster!"
The Vicar of Swansea came to her bedside, and the family assembled around her. Her sister wrote later, "She looked up steadfastly, as if she saw the Lord; and surely nothing less heavenly could have reflected such a glorious radiance upon her face. For ten minutes we watched that almost visible meeting with her King, and her countenance was so glad, as if she were already talking to Him." A sharp spasm overtook her, after which she sank back into the bed, folded her hands on her breast, and said, "There, now it's all over. Blessed rest!!" As she took her last breath, her brother commended her into the hands of her loving Father. It was June 3, 1879. Frances Ridley Havergal was just 42 years old, but what a magnificent life of devotion she lived before her God and His people.
She was buried in the city of her birth, Astley, Worcestershire, England. At her request, her tombstone is inscribed with the following scripture verse: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7
In her brief lifetime, Frances Ridley Havergal authored 80 hymns, 3 musical pieces, 4 books of poetry and a host of other materials. Her inspiration to write came from the Lord. This is expressed in the following poem:
I look up to my Father, and I know that I am heard, And ask Him for the glowing thought and for the fitting word; I look up to my Father, for I cannot write alone, 'Tis sweeter far to seek His strength, than lean upon my own.
In addition to Like a River Glorious, her hymns include: The Half Has Never Been Told, I Am Trusting Thee, I Gave My Life for Thee, Take My Life and Let It Be and Who Is on the Lord’s Side?
Among many, here are a few lessons about God that can be gleaned from Frances Ridley Havergal’s life.
God is sovereign. Whether it’s something that you deem a wonderful pleasantry, or a negative circumstance, each event is allowed by your sovereign God. You are not a hopeless victim of Satan’s assaults with God looking down from heaven saddened by your suffering but powerless to do anything. Frances saw her frail health as allowed by God for a greater purpose. You can trust the sovereignty of God in your life, too. He is omnipotent, i.e., all powerful.
Do you recall the Biblical account of when Satan got ready to attack Job? What did he have to do? Job 1: 6 -12 tells us that Satan had to get permission from God. God allowed Satan access to Job but limited his actions. When that series of trials did not produce Satan’s desired result, what did he have to do again? Satan had to get God’s permission to afflict Job’s body. (Job 2:1- 6) Once again, God restricted Satan; he could not take Job’s life. God and Satan are not equal forces, one good and the other evil. Lucifer, Satan’s former name, was created by God just like everything and everyone else in this universe. (Isaiah 14:11-13 & Ezekiel 28:13-17) As one minister said in his sermon, “Satan is God’s devil and he cannot act without God’s express permission”.
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou? Daniel 4:35
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:15-18
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17
God is working in the situations that we face. Nothing that we encounter on earth can compare to the joys of heaven. Despite the difficulties, God will demonstrate His grace in our lives and mature us in our faith.
God will never abandon you. Scripture is replete with accounts of God’s care for His people in a great variety of ways. That faithfulness is also evident throughout history, even to the present time. When Frances lost her mother, the Lord sent Caroline Cooke into her life. He can use people to comfort and support you, too. Even if you are physically alone during times of great difficulty, the truth is that, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have the guarantee of His presence through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:15-16
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is because of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:16 – 18
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
God’s peace is available to you. Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of the Savior. Even impending death did not cause Frances to lose her peace. Instead, it was the catalyst for the writing of a hymn of praise! Anxiety is the result of facing a situation without adequate provisions. If you have $1000.00 available, you aren’t worried about purchasing an item that costs $5.00. So it is in your life’s journey as a Christian. Whatever the need - be it physical, emotional, financial or otherwise - God, your Father, has the available resources to meet it. Therefore, you can face your circumstance fully confident in Him and be at peace.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
May we, like Frances Ridley Havergal, a wonderful woman of God, apply the truth of scripture to every area of our life. Just as she embraced the Lord’s sovereignty, faithful care and peace, you can too. As Frances said, "It is yours already, purchased for you, made for you, sealed for you, pledged to you – by the word of the Father”.
Like a River Glorious
by Frances Ridley Havergal
Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace/Over all victorious, in its bright increase/ Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day/Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Refrain: Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest/Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand/Never foe can follow, never traitor stand/Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care/Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above/Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love/We may trust Him fully all for us to do/They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
