Stowe is mostly known for her novel, “Uncle Tom's Cabin,” which she wrote and first appeared in The National Era in 1852. She was intensely interested in the abolition of slavery and this led her to write this well-known book which brought her national attention and is considered one of the factors that ultimately led to the Civil War. The Stowe’s home was a station on the Underground Railroad and helped runaway slaves escape to Canada.
Stowe was born at Litchfield, Connecticut, on June 14, 1811, the sixth child and third daughter of Congregational minister Lyman Beecher and his wife Roxana. She was raised in a fervently religious family. Her next-door neighbor was Mark Twain. Her brother, Henry Ward Beecher, also became a minister. Her mother died when she was four, and she went to live with her grandmother at Guilford, Connecticut, until her father’s remarriage.
After being educated at the Academy at Litchfield, she taught at a seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, which had been founded by her sister Catherine. In 1832, the Beecher family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Harriet’s father became President of Lane Seminary and the sisters established another school.
At the age of twenty-two (1833), she attended a slave auction in Kentucky which made a profound and painful impression upon her young soul. Her novel contributed to the growing conviction in America that slavery was evil.
In 1836 she married a teacher of languages and biblical literature in the seminary, Professor Calvin E. Stowe Later, the couple moved to Maine, where Mr. Stowe taught at the Andover Theological Seminary. It was here that Mrs. Stowe published her famous novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. It first appeared, in serial form, in the Washington National Era paper, in 1851, and in the following year, it appeared as a complete book, reaching sales of more than a million copies as well as being translated into more than twenty languages. This book has generally been recognized as one of the strong influences that ushered in the Civil War against slavery.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Stowe was known as an avid abolitionist as well as a saintly, godly woman. In 1853, she even traveled to Europe for the purpose of arousing the women there in the fight against world-wide slavery. Harriet dated her conversion experience to her early teen years, after hearing one of her father’s sermons. She gives this account of that event:
“As soon as my father came home and was seated in his study,
I went up to him and fell in his arms, saying, ‘Father, I have given myself to
Jesus, and He has taken me.' Never shall forget the expression on his face
as he looked down into my earnest childish eyes: ‘Is it so?’ he said, holding
me silently to his heart, as I felt the hot tears on my head. ‘Then has a new
flower blossomed in the kingdom this day.’”
In later years, in looking back over many of the
difficulties she had experienced in her busy life of raising six children,
along with other pursuits, Harriet wrote, “I thank God there is one thing
running through all of them, from the time I was thirteen years old, and that
is the intense unwavering sense of Christ’s educating, guiding presence, and
care.”
In 1855, Harriet was introduced as a hymn writer when her brother, Henry Ward Beecher, included three of her poems in his new hymnal, Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes. “Still, Still With Thee” was originally titled “Resting in God” and was written by Mrs. Stowe two years earlier, while meditating on Psalm 139:17-18, especially on the phrase “When I awake, I am still with Thee.”
“And in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord”
“The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.”
Godsbless.ing: This verse speaks to the deep and personal relationship we have with God. When the psalmist says, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup,” it is a declaration of complete trust and reliance on God as the ultimate provider and sustainer of our lives. The psalmist chooses God above all else as the most important and satisfying aspect of their life, just as we carefully choose our favorite food or drink. This verse reminds us that our true fulfillment and satisfaction can only be found in God.
“It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
Godsbless.ing: Paul’s words about the Lord descending from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God, resonate deeply with the believers. They are filled with anticipation and excitement, knowing that one day they will be caught up together with the Lord in the clouds to meet Him in the air . . . This verse reminds us to fix our eyes on this ultimate reunion and to live in a way that reflects our anticipation of Christ’s return . . . Let this promise of Christ’s return inspire you to continue in faith and hope, eagerly awaiting the day when we will be gathered together with Him.
As we are drawn into the silence of the dawn where we can be alone with the Lord, it is as if we are telling Him that there is no greater blessing in this life than being "Still, Still With Thee."
Barryshymns.blogspot.com
Bymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com
Aocinternational.org
Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories
