Harriet E. Clark

Harriet E. Clark (, Abbott; pen name, Mrs. Francis E. Clark; December 10, 1850 – September 24, 1945) was an American teacher and author. She was the founder of the "Mizpah Circle", a group of girls who studied about and prayed for missionaries. She also originated the idea of the Society of Christian Endeavor.

Early life and education

Harriet Elizabeth Abbott was born December 10, 1850, a native of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. Her parents were Rev. Sereno T. and Sarah (French) Abbott. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were clergymen also. She was a direct descendent of John Alden and Priscilla Mullens.

After Harriet's father died, in 1855, the family removed to Andover, Massachusetts, where she received her education. At Abbott Village Mission School, she taught the primary class and played the cabinet organ. Here, she met another teacher, Dr. Rev. Francis Edward Clark,

In the following year, she organized the "Mizpah Circle", the first "Junior Society", though not yet of "Christian Endeavor". The Mizpah Circle was a missionary society. It consisted of a group of girls who studied about and prayed for missionaries. Clark's love of children was especially noticeable in her travels to China, Japan, and India. The stained-glass window in the front of the Williston Church in Portland, Maine is a memorial to the Mizpah Circle. Under Clark's leadership, the Mizpah Circle also raised money for the "Book of Psalms", which was used in the responsive service of the church. These responsive readings were found one Sunday morning in the pews as a symbol of youthful contribution to the worship.

Personal life On October 3, 1876, in Andover, she married Dr. Rev. Francis Edward Clark. They went on to have five children. and was buried at Newton Cemetery.

Selected works

A daily message for Christian endeavorers : a book for the quiet hour, for the prayer meeting, and for the birthday (1897) (text) Junior endeavor in theory and practice (1903) (text) Our immigrants at Ellis Island; an exercise prepared for the young people and descriptive of the reception, inspection, and experiences of our immigrants in the detention-room and railway offices (1912) (text) Bible autobiographies and other Bible stories (1921) (preface by Francis E. Clark) (text) Outlines in professional reading (193?) The little girl that once was I (autobiography; 1936)

With Francis E. Clark Our Journey Around the World, with Glimpses of Life in Far Off Lands as Seen Through a Woman's Eyes (1894) (with Francis E. Clark) (text) The Gospel in Latin Lands: Outline Studies of Protestant Work in the Latin (1909) (text)