Mary A. S. Barber

Mary Ann Serrett Barber (M. A. S. Barber) was a prolific 19th-century English author, editor, and tireless advocate for both global missions and children's education. Though biographical records of her early life are modest, she was a deeply respected figure within the Church of England’s evangelical circles. For many years, she served as the editor of the Children’s Missionary Magazine, a platform she used to ignite a sense of Christian duty and global awareness in young readers. Her writing was characterized by a distinct "earnestness" and a desire to make the life of faith accessible and practical for children, often translating complex missionary reports into engaging narratives and verse.

Her most significant and enduring contribution to congregational song is the hymn "Prince of Peace, Control My Will." This text, which appeared in her 1838 collection Missionary Tales in Verse, stands out for its profound focus on spiritual submission and the internal struggle to align one's desires with divine purpose. Unlike many contemporary hymns that focused on outward praise, Barber’s verses were deeply introspective, utilizing a rhythmic, repetitive structure that emphasized a "hushed" and "still" heart. The hymn’s widespread adoption, including its translation into several languages, cemented her reputation as a writer who could articulate the intimate, quiet moments of the Christian experience.

In historical hymnody, Barber is also frequently mentioned in discussions regarding the authorship of the beloved children's hymn "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us." While many mid-century collections credited her with the text, modern scholars typically attribute the work to Dorothy Ann Thrupp. The confusion likely stemmed from Barber's prominence as a contributor to the same children's periodicals where Thrupp’s work appeared. Despite this displacement in the records, Barber’s own body of work, including books like Sweet Mary and Earning a Living, showcases her deep commitment to social welfare and the moral development of the working class and youth.

Mary Ann Serrett Barber passed away in 1864, leaving behind a legacy of "practical piety." She was a pioneer in the field of children's religious literature, providing the 19th-century church with a model of how to combine literary talent with a missionary heart. Her hymns continue to be valued for their sincerity and their timeless plea for inner peace, reminding worshippers that true strength often begins with a surrendered will.