ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT

• ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT Annie was born on Christmas eve 1866 in Vineland, New Jersey. Her parents were Eldon and Jean Johnson. Please prayerfully consider how a life of hardship created in her something beautiful.
• Her mother died in 1869 at the age of 23. She had just given birth to Annie’s sister.
• Her father was suffering from an incurable disease and didn’t have long to live.
• Therefore, he took the two girls to the widow of a friend who had been killed in the Civil War. It was an unpleasant experience. The Johnson girls were unwelcome and unwanted.
• Two years later the girls were adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Flint who were neighbors.
• The Flints were true Christians and loved the girls as though they were their own.
• The girls received love and Christian training every day.
• When Annie was 8 years old the family moved to town. As a revival was in progress, Annie attended the meetings and gave her heart to Christ. Throughout her life she maintained the view that little children often see spiritual truth more clearly than do adults.
• At the age of 14 the family moved to Camden, N.J. and the girls continued their schooling.
• The Flints were not wealthy and instilled in the girls the importance of thrift and frugality.
• Upon graduating from High School her adopted mother suffered a stroke and was in failing health. Annie selflessly became her care giver.
• Annie signed a three year contract to teach school but crippling arthritis made it difficult for her to complete the contract. Annie’s health continued to deteriorate.
• Next, both her adopted parents died within a few months of each other and Annie and her sister were again orphaned with little money and a limited ability to work.
• Annie was admitted to the Clifton Springs Sanatorium where she was pronounced incurable. Sadly, her sister was also in failing health.
• Soon Annie was unable to walk and was confined to a wheel chair until her death.
• In search of solace Annie put a pen in her bent and twisted fingers and began to write.
• Various Christian publications began publishing her poems.
• Her Doctor bills continued and she frequently needed the additional help of a nurse.
• She suffered pain every day for 40 years, but continued writing poetry just the same.
• Among 7 volumes of poems here is a sample of what God communicated through her:

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added affliction He addeth His mercy; To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, Our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. His love has no limit; His grace has no measure. His pow'r has no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!