When YFC National Director Cindy McGarvie released her book Lost Boys in 2020, it resonated deeply with many, especially parents longing to guide their sons back to God.
But one question kept coming up: “What about the lost girls?”
As Cindy began researching and writing she made a discovery that changed the course of her book.
“Despite the growing claims of popular culture, there are significant differences between men and women,” explains Cindy.
“Women today face unique challenges due to our shift away from a collective moral framework. I was keen to write a book tailored for women that could offer Christian guidance to the next generation.”
But as Cindy began researching and writing she made a discovery that changed the course of her book.
“I stumbled upon the work of Hannah More,” recalls Cindy.
Hannah More was an influential 18th-century poet, author, and anti-slavery campaigner who passionately believed that education, coupled with an equal emphasis on nurturing Christian virtues, was the key to personal transformation and societal reform.
“I was struck by her eloquent articulation of the very themes I wished to explore,” admits Cindy. “And, as I shared her writings with young women, I found them equally fascinated. They encouraged me to translate her work so they could benefit from her wisdom.”
Biblical virtue does not change. The challenge is how to apply these principles in today’s world.
This effort resulted in The Nature of Truth and Beauty, a modern translation of Hannah More’s 1777 book, Essays on Various Subjects, Principally Designed for Young Ladies.
Cindy acknowledges the project was both unexpected and challenging.
“Even though Hannah’s standards of female behaviour might seem outdated or even uncomfortable, Biblical virtue does not change. The challenge is how to apply these principles in today’s world,” she notes.
“And I believe that through harnessing our inherent God-given feminine qualities, women can bring about significant positive change in a society that has lost its way.”
The Nature of Truth and Beauty, is now shipping from our online store alongside a companion Prayer Book and Journal. All sales directly support the mission.
This article is adapted from the Lost Boys blog article “What about the Lost Girls?” by Cindy McGarvie.
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The Nature of Truth and Beauty
TIMELESS INSTRUCTIONS ON FEMININITY AND THE EDUCATION OF DAUGHTERS
Step into the radical mind of Hannah More as she challenges the very fabric of society's views on women's behaviour and roles.
This book brims with timeless wisdom, challenging conventional norms on femininity, even in today's culture. More's ideas - regarded as radical by some, controversial by others - carry the power to provoke change and empower women to embrace their transformative potential.
