Sermon Story: "Frances Ridley Havergal, Hymn Writer " The hymns of Frances Ridley Havergal have greatly blessed the Church. She wrote such songs as "Who is on the Lord’s Side?" “Like a River Glorious," "I Gave My Life for Thee," and "Take My Life and Let It Be." She was not always a happy Christian, however. As F. J. Huegel pointed out in his book Forever Triumphant, she was plagued by depression. Perhaps overly sensitive to faults in her life, she was a defeated believer who lacked the joy that should characterize every forgiven child of God. Huegel wrote, “She walked with bowed head. Romans 7 seemed to be her lot." One day she had a life-transforming experience, however. Huegel says that the Lord led her into the joy and blessing described in Romans 8. A great crisis marked her entrance into "the promised land of a life of fullness and victory." She was reading her New Testament in the Greek, as she often did. When she came to 1 John 1:7, she discovered from the tense of the verb that the blood of Christ keeps on cleansing the believer who walks in the light. Says Huegel, "The result for Frances Havergal was a mighty revolution. A new day dawned. She would no longer be sad because of her faults and blemishes. She would rejoice because of the infinite efficacy of the Savior's atoning death." ~Written By Source Unknown~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Frances wrote the following which sums up her experience: Resting on the faithfulness of Christ our Lord Resting on the fulness of His own sure word, Resting on His power on His love untold; Resting on His covenant secured of old. Resting and believing, let us unward press; Resting in Himself, the Lord our Righteousness; Resting and rejoicing, let His saved ones sing, Glory, glory, glory be to Christ our King. In October, 1878, Miss Havergal caught a severe cold which caused inflammation of the lungs. When told that her life was in danger, she exclaimed: "If I am really going, it is too good to be true!" At another time she said: "Splendid! To be so near the gates of heaven!" Toward the last breath she sang, clearly but faintly: "Jesus, I will trust thee". And then, said her sister, ''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! Then she tried to sing; but, after one sweet, high note her voice failed, and as her brother commended her soul into the Redeemer's hand, she passed away." The date was June 3, 1879. She was buried at Astley, and on her tomb was carved by her own request the text 1 John 1:7: "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, click here to read about the Free Gift of Salvation. Jesus died for us. Graphics and Background Images Copyright ©2007 Cobblestone Road Ministries All Rights Reserved Featured Havergal Poems: "Daily Strength" "Jesus, Master, Whose I Am" "I Could Not Do Without Thee" "Like A River Glorious" "Be Not Weary" "God The Provider" "The Things Which Are Behind" Further Bible Study: Wrapped in God's Love SELF-EXAMINATION AS IT RELATES TO ASSURANCE - By J.H. Brookes The Grounds Of Grace By William Kelly THE WORK OF CHRIST - AS THE ONLY RESTING PLACE FOR THE CONSCIENCE. Christian Poems and Commentary |
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