So did the sweet singer herself write from her own experience.

Her hymns, which are very numerous, no less than seventy being in common use, have been the means not only of arresting the undecided and helping the saint, but of consoling the suffering and the doubting.  So many of her poems were the expressions of a bright faith and simple trust shining out through storm and cloud, that others, storm-tossed and beclouded, catch the rays and are cheered thereby.

Although many of the poems are in a plaintive minor tone there are occasional bursts of more cheerful strain, as in the lines on “A Merrie Christmas,” which appeared in the Sunday at Home.

     “A Merrie Christmas to you! 
        For we serve the Lord with mirth. 
      And we carol forth glad tidings
        Of our holy Saviour’s birth.

      So we keep the olden greeting,
        With its meaning deep and true,
      And wish a Merrie Christmas
        And a Happy New Year to you.

      Oh, yes! ‘a Merrie Christmas,’
        With blithest song and smile,
      Bright with the thought of Him who dwelt
        On earth a little while,

      That we might dwell for ever
        Where never falls a tear: 
      So ‘a Merrie Christmas’ to you,
        And a Happy, Happy Year!”

The beautiful and aptly chosen titles alone in many cases are most suggestive and refreshing.  Yes, Frances R. Havergal’s power of giving expression to holy aspiration and Christian loyalty and heartfelt praise will live as long as English Hymnology lives.

VII.

“SEEING THE KING.”

We come now to describe the closing months of this devoted life.  Her sister recalls that the New Year’s greeting given to her on January 1, 1879. was, “‘He crowneth the year with His goodness,’ and He crowneth me ‘with loving-kindness and tender mercies.’  You, dear Marie, are one of my mercies; and I do hope He will let me do something for you up in heaven.”

The following subjects of prayer for 1878-79, found in her Bible, will not only illustrate her method of petition, but will be helpful to other Christians longing to excel in supplication.

“I have greatly enjoyed the regular praying of the Lord’s Prayer, and take a petition each morning in the week.  Intercession for others I generally make at evening.  I take the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the same way and find this helpful.”

GENERAL.

MORNING.

For the Holy Spirit. 
Perfect trust all day. 
Watchfulness. 
To be kept from sin. 
That I may please Him. 
Guidance, growth and grace. 
That I may do His will. 
That He may use my mind, lips, pen, all. 
Blessing and guidance in each engagement and interview of the day.

EVENING.

For forgiveness and cleansing. 
Mistakes overruled. 
Blessing on all said, written and done. 
For conformity to His will and Christ’s likeness. 
That His will may be done in me. 
For a holy night. 
Confession. 
For every one for whom I have been specially asked to pray.