Frances Ridley Havergal spent much time and attention on this calendar book. Her Preface was dated May, 1879, and no one had thought that she would die weeks later, on June 3. This book was another labor of love to her King and to His people. She selected one or two or three Scripture verses or excerpts of verses, and also a verse from her own poetry, for each of the 366 days. She also gave a complete poem by her father, Rev. William Henry Havergal, at the start of each month, and finally a poem by him at the end of the year. Everything in this book is richly edifying. Day by day, looking unto Jesus, with heart and mind stayed on Him.
Frances Ridley Havergal, the daughter of a Church of England minister, is well known for her great hymns of consecration including the famous Take My Life and Let It Be. She also wrote hymn melodies, religious tracts, and works for children.
In 1852/3 she studied in the Louisenschule, Dusseldorf, and at Oberkassel. Otherwise she led a quiet life, not enjoying consistent good health; she travelled, in particular to Switzerland. She supported the Church Missionary Society.
She died of peritonitis at Caswell Bay on the Gower Peninsula in Wales. Her sisters saw much of her work published posthumously. Havergal College, a private girls' school in Toronto, is named after her. The composer Havergal Brian adopted the name as a tribute to the Havergal family.
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