Mrs. Frances Bevan (1827-1909)

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
Listen from:
Gathered to the Lord’s Name
Hymn #93.
Mrs. Bevan was born as Emma Frances Shuttleworth on September 25, 1827, at Oxford, England. She was the daughter of Anglican clergyman Philip Nicholas Shuttleworth, Warden of New College, Oxford. He later became Bishop of Chichester. When but a young girl Emma had a German governess for a teacher, and became interested in Gothic art and medieval Christianity. Later she was much attached to the family of the Prussian representative at the Court of St.James, Baron Von Bunsen, which led to her study of German literature and to her translating of German hymns into English. When she was 27 years of age she attended Bible reading: at the home of Mr. R.C. L. Bevan and these made a lasting impression on her. Two years later she was married to Mr. Bevan, who was a Lombard St., London banker. Three sons and six daughters were born into this Christian household. She met with those who according to Matthew 18:20 were gathered to the Lord’s Name and its authority, but was perplexed and saddened by the Stuart heresy as to atonement and its aftermath in 1885. She and her husband spent more time in Europe, and after his death in 1890 she spent her time at Cannes, France. Various brethren came there from time to time to remember the Lord in His death in the breaking of bread
Mrs. Bevan published a series of translations of hymns from the German under the title “Songs of Eternal Life.” Hymn 57 in the Little Flock is one from the German-”On the Lamb our souls are resting.” She also wrote that wonderful book, “The Three Friends of God,” as well as giving sketches of “The Quiet in the Land.”
On February 13, 1909, at age 81 she passed on to glory and was buried at Cockfosters, Herts, England in the family vault located in the church area outside of Trent Park.
“From the palace of His glory,
From the home of joy and love,
Came the Lord Himself to seek us;
He would have us there above.
And in past and distant ages,
In those courts so bright and fair,
Ere we were, was He rejoicing,
All He won with us to share.”