Ada R Habershon—A hidden Gem

Ada Ruth Habershon thought her life was ‘uneventful’, yet her story is remarkable. She was a single, middle-class, Christian woman of
the late 19th and early 20th century who embarked on various Christian endeavours. In this biography, the facets of Ada, a hidden gem, are unearthed, to reveal her qualities, gifts and attributes which she used for God. Ada wrote many hymns, her most famous
being, ‘He will hold me fast’. When illness struck, her life was taken in a different direction away from the busy Christian activities with which she was involved – the Ragged School, the Lock Hospital and the YWCA being but a few examples – to a more studious route of Biblical research and writing. She mingled with the wealthy, the poor and the wellknown Christians of the day, such as Moody and
Spurgeon, supporting many philanthropic and Christian works.
Her life reflected her three aims: to love God; to search the Scriptures and to serve her Saviour.

The story of Ada, that of a ‘hidden gem’ as Janice Pibworth aptly puts it, is a great reminder of the delight that God the Holy Spirit
has in working through men and women who are not interested in the limelight but who long for Christ to shine through their lives
and that he, not they, be known. Pick this up, read, and be encouraged to live wholly for Christ!

Dr Michael A. G. Azad Haykin, Professor of Church History, The
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.

Christians are often inspired by the life and work of their fellow
believers who have ‘gone ahead’ to the life of glory. Ada Habershon was far more than a gifted hymn writer and this biography gives a heart-warming account of Ada’s involvement in evangelistic and social work. I believe this splendid book will be an inspiration and encouragement to its readers.

Dr Raymond Brown, Former principal of Spurgeon’s College

Janice Pibworth was born in York and it was while at school that she became a Christian. She then joined an evangelical church and became a member of the National Young Life Campaign. Janice trained as a teacher and obtained a B.Ed. in Theology and Education from Lancaster University. First teaching Liverpool, later she moved to Bedfordshire, and it was here that she became a head teacher at a lower school. She is married to Nigel and has
two daughters and five grandchildren. She is now retired and enjoys time with her family, making cards, baking, entertaining friends and writing.