The Making of The Beautiful - The Life Story of Annie Johnson Flint

by Roland Bingham, Annie Johnson Flint

This is the only known biography of the Christian poetess Annie Johnson Flint, who died in 1932. She was described by the late Ravi Zacharias as one of the greatest hymwriters, and he often recited her most famous poem - "He Giveth More Grace". The story is told by Roland V. Bingham [1872-1942] who was the founder of the Sudan Interior Mission (now the Serving in Mission (SIM)) and knew Annie personally. This account of her life, as well as telling her remarkable triumph over severe physical adversity, also records the only known 'autobiography' of hers, together with a selection of her poetry, a great deal of which has been out of print for decades. This book is a good companion to three volumes of Annie's inspirational and uplifting poetry - "He Giveth More Grace", "God Hath Not Promised" and "Grace Sufficient."

Genres: Poetry, Biography

78 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2019

Reviews

[Jane Hensarling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little 65 page book is a short biography of the writer of the hymn “He Giveth More Grace”. You can read it in one sitting and after, will most likely want to read more of her poetry. I do!

[Elena Melling]

Wow! I need to get my hands on some of Annie's poetry books. The snippets in this biography really made me fall in love! So real, so refreshing.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short biography of a very remarkable woman. I had never heard of her until Ravi Zacharias quoted one of her poems which caused me to seek out her story. This book doesn't really give a lot of details about her trials or suffering which I believe would have made her story much more appealing to those who suffer and continue in suffering. However, what comes through is her gentle and lovely spirit. Her faith in God never wavered and she wrote poems to express her faith and what she learned through the suffering she endured. Her poems inspired many others in their own suffering. Though I would have liked a more detailed biography about this godly woman, this book is a good introduction to her own writings. I am looking forward to reading more of her poetry.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

I’m disappointed this is only an abbreviated biography with very little detail of AJF’s life. But maybe that’s fitting - her life was spent in incredible pain and suffering in her home - a SEEMINGLY narrow life with likely a lot of redundancy from day to day. BUT the reach, ministry, witness, and blessing of her life is great…

AJF’s life was seemly an inspiration to all who read her poems, but especially other “shut ins” (as the book called it).

I don’t understand God and why He allows pain/suffering, but I hope to worship and struggle with Him like AJF did.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly Beautiful

A jeweled crown could not more beautifully array the Saviour than the life lived out by this saint. Her poetry is both simple to understand and strikingly deep. Her days lived out each stanza’s reality. The very comfort she received from her suffering Savior pours out to comfort those who follow the winding, rocky path behind her. You will be blessed by Annie Johnson Flint’s life and words.

[Thomas Welches · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Making of The Beautiful- The Life Story of Annie Johnson Flint

A very inspiring book of the life of Annie Johnson Flint. Her rejoicing in-spite of pain and suffering, can be seen in all her beautiful poems.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tiny book, with such a spiritual punch!

[LeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

I was interested to learn about this lady, since I'm familiar with some of her poems. This was not very compellingly written, & I still do not feel I know her very well.

[klagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written and moving account of a woman who beautifully exemplified steadfast faith through prolonged suffering. Inspiring!