I’d like to thank Christian Focus Publications for giving me a copy of Frances Ridley Havergal by Lucille Travis in return for my honest review.
Frances Ridley Havergal Biography
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains by Lucille Travis (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2014) is a new addition to the 48-book Trailblazers series. Our family loves these narrative Christian biographies for children ages 8-14.
While many of the people written about in the Trailblazers series lived historically pivotal lives of outsized faith, Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) lived a quiet life.
She was a poet, hymnist and children’s author with an affinity for sharing the gospel. Though Frances Havergal struggled with the gospel as a child, once committed to Christ, she spent her life telling others about her Savior.
Frances R Havergal
Frances Ridley Havergal lost her mother at an early age, then contracted a terrible skin disease. She lived, but spent the remainder of her life plagued with poor health, fevers, and serious bouts of illness. Frances Havergal never married, but spent time with her sisters and their families, traveled to the mountains in Switzerland a number of times, and wrote. Much of her work was published after her death at the age of 42.
Frances Havergal was convinced of God’s sovereign hand on her life, and she felt her illness was no surprise to Him. Lucille Travis does a wonderful job conveying this truth in the book.
Though Frances was frustrated by the need to rest (both to avoid acute illness and in the face of her frequent illness), she saw God’s hand even in this. She submitted to him in illness and in health. I found that inspiring. When healthy, she persisted in working for the Lord, though it would likely have been easier to resign herself to an inactive life. I also found her cheerful evangelism and loving care of all she met inspiring.
I personally was touched by the story.
Frances Ridley Havergal is a wonderful story of a young lady committed to serving God with the gifts He gave her, in the strength He provided. It’s a worthwhile addition to the Trailblazers line.
Frances Havergal Hymns
I found a nice version of one of Frances Havergal’s best known hymns, Take My Life and Let It Be. Maybe you know it?
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains coordinates with studies involving:
- The 19th Century
- Perseverance in Illness and Suffering
- Hymns
- Writing as a Vocation
- Evangelism
Purchase Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains
Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains (Trail Blazers)
OR, at Christian Book:
More Christian Focus Trail Blazers Books for Your Kids
Our family loves the Christian Focus Trail Blazers books. They’re perfect for ages 7-14. We read them as we studied history! Check them out.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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