(Francis Ridley Havergal) 1836 - 1879


Francis began reading by the age of four and wrote poetry at the age of seven. During her life-time she memorized the Psalms, the book of Isaiah, and most of the New Testament.

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
Lord, Speak to Me


Francis Havergal was born in the village of Astley, Worcestershire, England, on December 14, 1836. She was the youngest daughter of the great English hymnist Rev. William Henry Havergal. She was well educated and learned several modern languages, including Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Francis began reading by the age of four and wrote poetry at the age of seven. During her life-time she memorized the Psalms, the book of Isaiah, and most of the New Testament. Continuously encouraged in hymn-writing by her father, at the age of 16 she went to Dusseldorf, Germany to study and stayed for two years. Upon returning she was baptized by John Cawood, a noted hymnist of the time, in Worcester Cathedral. Miss. Havergal proclaimed "I committed my soul to the Savior, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment."

Although a great hymn-writer, Miss. Havergal was best known as an author and poet of the time. She wrote several devotional books including the Ministry of Song (1870), as well as other collections of devotional poetry and prose. Today, her poems are often printed on greeting cards or ornamental keepsakes. The message of her poems and hymns always reflected her passionate love of Jesus, and her words bore tribute to God's love and His way of salvation.

Once while in a museum in Germany, it is said that the young Miss. Havergal was particularly impressed by the famous painting of Christ's crucifixion by Sternberg. She quickly composed a poem from the words under the painting: "This have I done for thee; What hast thou done for me?" Later, upon her return to England she found the poem, but thinking it was not worth saving, threw it into the fire. Unknown to her, the poem had blown out of the flames and was found by her father. He wrote a tune for the poem and it was published for the first time in 1859. P.P. Bliss composed the music for the hymn as we sing it today in 1873 -

I Gave My Life For Thee.
In a letter to her mother, Miss. Havergal, referring to her extraordinary musical and lyrical ability, which she called "Curious musical visions" once wrote: "I hear strange and very beautiful chords, generally full, slow and grand, succeeding each other in most interesting sequences. I do not invent them, I could not; they pass before my mind, and I only listen."

Miss. Havergal's sister, Marie, once chastened her about her Bible reading habits: "I begged that she would read with her feet comfortably to the fire, and received the reply: 'But then, Marie, I can't rule my lines neatly; just see what a find I've got!' Miss. Havergal studiously sat at her desk, reserving each evening for studying and underlining "extraordinary things in the Bible."

Sadly, Miss. Havergal was a bright but short-lived star. At the age of 42 she contracted a lung infection and died on June 3, 1879 in Caswall Bay, near Swansea, Wales. However, the legacy of hymns she left for us are just as she was - brilliant, full, and vibrant!

Hymns by Francis Havergal found in our hymnal include: I Gave My Life For Thee (159), Is It For Me (192), I Bring My Sins To Thee (220), Take My Life (111 & 501), True Hearted, Whole Hearted (594), Nobody Knows But Jesus (642), and Lord Speak To Me (697).


Disclaimer
'Christians in Touch' does not claim to have written any of the material above and much of this information has been found at various sources. If any unreferenced copyrights have been breached, we will gladly remove this page from the website immediately.

References:
(1) Gary Williams, Broadway Church of Christ [http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.org/writers/page_2.htm]