This collection contains all 51 poems from Sarah Doudney's "Psalms of Life" together with 115 poems and hymn lyrics never before collected from nineteenth century periodicals such as "The Sunday Magazine, " "Good Words Magazine, " "Littell's Living Age" and others. Included are all her poems that have become favorites: "The Lesson of the Water-Mill, " a very popular poem, "The Christian's Goodnight, " sung at Charles Spurgeon's funeral, "The Hardest Time of All, " an often quoted poem, "Between the Lights, " reflections between the sunset and moon-rise, and "Some Words, " about the power of words. R. H. Barnes wrote in the Preface: "The highest aspiration of the writer will, I know, be attained, if any words of hers shall minister comfort to the sorrowing, hope to the downcast, and strength to the weary."
Sarah Doudney (1841-1926) was born in Portsmouth, England. Her father, George E. Doudney, was with a large candle and soap business. She grew up in the rural area of Cathrington, Hants, where she did her writing.