One day after Sunday school, one of Virginia's daughters was puzzling over the lesson. She asked solemnly "Did Jesus die for me too, then?" The question stayed in Virginia's mind long after her explanation, and resulted in the following hymn.

O tell me, tell me mother

Virginia was very interested in the Lord's creation and took her responsibilities towards it very seriously. Each of her grandchildren received subscriptions to childrens' environmental magazines. She wrote many letters protesting against the dangers of atomic power decades before the dreadful accidents at Three Mile Island and Tschernobyl proved her right.

Beautiful is creation

Virginia's faith was very practical, and very democratic. many of her friends practiced different faiths -- Moslem, Buddhist and native, for example -- and it would never have occurred to her to suggest that hers was in any way better than theirs.

For healing hands

Although Virginia attended the Anglican church regularly, she certainly did not agree with many of the customs. Anything implying that women were less important in God's eyes angered her. She gave her daughters subscriptions to the magazine "Canadian Women and religion", and published poems and stories in it herself.

Ask and it will be given you

Virginia was no saint: she loved to laugh, but she also had a quick temper. Writing hymns about the trials of life in general, and of raising five daughters in particular, was her way of asking God's help in everyday life. O Jesus, sorrowing for your own

O Jesus sorrowing for your own

Virginia was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother and friend. She went through life with a melody in her heart, and nothing would please her more than to know that her hymns are still being sung.

The Lord Bless you and keep you