Anne Steele and Her Spiritual Vision

Anne Steele and Her Spiritual Vision: Seeing God in the Peaks, Valleys, and Plateaus of Life
Priscilla Wong
Reformation Heritage Books, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60178-185-7

According to Michael Haykin, internationally recognized Christian historian, “Anne Steele was the most significant Baptist hymn writer and poetess of the ‘long’ eighteenth century.” And though her hymns nurtured generations of earlier English-speaking Baptists on both sides of the Atlantic, I dare say the majority of 21st century Christians, including Baptists, have never heard her name.

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in Anne Steele. Among the significant new works, Michael Haykin, notes that the eight-volume Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, edited by Timothy Whelan and Julia Griffin (Pickering and Chatto, 2011, ISBN: 978-1851961443) includes an “erudite and critical edition of the entire Steele corpus” provided by Julia Griffin.

If an “erudite and critical” edition of Steele’s work sounds intimidating, there is good news. Priscilla Wong’s first book, Anne Steele and Her Spiritual Vision, is a perfect introduction to the work of a deserves-to-be-better-known evangelical hymnist.

Anne Steele (1717-1778) was the daughter of Baptist pastor William Steele. Though her poetry was originally intended for “personal devotional reflection,” her father introduced some of her hymns into the worship life at the Broughton (England) church where he was pastor. In God’s providence, her father’s recognition of his daughter’s lyrical giftedness led to her life of hymn-writing – a life that enriched generations of evangelical Baptist worshipers. Wong tells us that Steele went on to write “144 hymns, set thirty-four psalms to verse, and composed numerous poems and prose meditations.”

Wong’s book began life as a dissertation submitted to The Toronto Baptist Seminary in fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree. As such, it demonstrates the potential for such study to provide important theological and historical material in an accessible format for the reading public.

Seeing God in the Circumstances of Life

The book opens with a brief introduction to Anne Steele, surveying the way in which Steele’s hymnody came to the worshiping public. Along the way, Wong reviews the more significant works that have been devoted to the life and work of Anne Steele. As such, this provides a great introduction to readers who may wish to pursue their own study of this gifted 18th Century hymnodist.

Anne Steele’s spiritual perception enabled her to see God’s hand at work in life’s daily circumstances. This is important because her life included acutely difficult events: her fiancé drowned a few hours before their wedding ceremony; she was raised in a family of Dissenters which carried social implications; she endured painful illnesses throughout her life, including periods of depression. Steele’s poetry reveals a woman in touch with the sustaining grace of a sovereign God.

Wong highlights three major themes in Anne Steele’s work

• The Glory of God in Creation
• Faith in the Face of Suffering
• Hope in the Promised Glory

Devoting a chapter to each theme, Wong first explores the pertinent theology behind the theme, drawing from the theological writings of Steele’s contemporary, English Baptist pastor and theologian, John Gill (1697-1771). Having laid this foundation, Wong examines the lyrics of Steele’s hymns, revealing how Anne Steele saw God in all aspects of life.

In the final chapter, Wong shows how Steele’s hymns provide a window into the spiritual journey of the hymn writer. Through her hymns, Steele was transparently honest about her fears, doubts and discouragements, but always coming back to the sure foundation of a sovereign God who has everything in control, and very much loves his children.

Extensive footnoting and a helpful bibliography round out this fine study on the work of Anne Steele.

Readers desiring further study into the life and work of Anne Steele can visit the author’s site for a listing of books and resources (primary and secondary literature) devoted to Anne Steele. Included are links to musicians who are bringing back the hymns of Anne Steele with updated music.

I heartily recommend this book in hope that it will rekindle an interest in the rich heritage of hymnody that is too rapidly disappearing. Titles like this can provide a worthy antidote to the avalanche of generic worship music sweeping through the evangelical world.

Purchase this book now.

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[Review copy provided by the publisher - No compensation was received for writing this review.]