'Tis All for the Best by Hannah More

Mrs. Simpson believed that "the honor of God was dearer to her than her own credit, and her chief desire was to turn all events to his glory." And also "her chief care was to convince herself and others, that however great might be her sufferings, and however little they could be accounted for at present, yet that the Judge of all the earth could not but do right." Betty, her friend, simply gave up hope over tragedies. The moral is to trust in God's providence. An important verse is Psalm 118:23—"This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."

Paperback 4X6, 2 illustrations, 64 pages. ISBN 9781941281284, Pocket Moral Stories

HANNAH MORE (1745-1833) was born in Stapleton, Bristol, England. Early in her life she was interested in the theater and wrote plays. For six years her fashionable social life grew to include many important people, but when it lost its appeal she turned to religion. Dr. James Stonhouse is credited with Hannah More’s spiritual awakening, but it was John Newton’s influence that gave energy and devotion to her spiritual walk, and she became a strong Evangelical Christian. Education was a strong theme in her life and William Wilberforce encouraged her to start schools for the education and moral advancement of poor village children. To counteract immoral forces in society, Hannah More, her sister Sarah, and others wrote a series of successful chapbooks called the “Cheap Repository Tracts.” She was also active with a group called the “Clapham Sect” that met at Henry Thornton’s house in Clapham. She had a vast social circle and wrote a multitude of letters.  Her talent for writing also produced many books of drama, poetry, hymns, fiction and religious instruction.