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Mary Wilder Tileston
Mary Wilder Tileston was born on August 20, 1843, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Caleb Foote, owner and editor of the Salem Gazette, and Mary Wilder White Foote. Raised in a family with strong intellectual and religious ties—her brother Henry Wilder Foote became a Harvard-educated minister, and her brother Arthur Foote a noted composer—she attended private schools in Salem. On September 25, 1865, she married John Boies Tileston, a publisher’s son, and they had seven children: Mary, Margaret, Roger, Amelia, Wilder, Edith, and Eleanor. The family lived in Concord, Massachusetts, on a 200-acre farm from around 1874 to 1882, then moved to Salem and later Brookline, Massachusetts, where she died on July 3, 1934. Tileston’s career was centered on her literary contributions rather than preaching. Her most notable work, Daily Strength for Daily Needs, a collection of prose, verse, and scripture for daily reading, sold over 250,000 copies by 1910 and was highly regarded. She compiled other devotionals, including Prayers Ancient and Modern (1897) and children’s works like The Child’s Harvest of Verse (1910), reflecting her love for spiritual literature. While not a preacher by occupation, her anthologies served a preaching-like function, offering spiritual guidance to readers. Her legacy lies in these writings, which continue to inspire, rather than in a formal ministerial role.
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Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of putting on the whole armor of God to withstand the challenges of life, drawing inspiration from Ephesians 6:13. She urges believers to arise as soldiers of Christ, strong in the strength provided by God through His Son, as highlighted in the hymn by Charles Wesley. Tileston prompts introspection on one's spiritual journey, questioning one's peace, fulfillment of duties, efforts to overcome sins, and faithfulness to God's guidance, echoing the sentiments of Pére Ravignan in seeking self-improvement and spiritual growth.
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Questions for the Soldier of Christ
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. EPHESIANS 6:13 That he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 TIMOTHY 2:4 SOLDIERS of Christ, arise, And put your armor on, Strong in the strength which God supplies Through His eternal Son. CHARLES WESLEY WHITHER goest thou? Where is thy soul? Is it in peace? If troubled, why? How art thou fulfilling the duties of thy position? What are they? What effort hast thou made to amend thy disposition, and conquer thy sins? Hast thou been faithful to the light God has given thee? What means shouldst thou use, especially with regard to thy most besetting sin or temptation? Hast thou fought against it? Hast thou thought about it at all? What hast thou done with the circumstances of the last month? Have they wrought God's work in thee? PÉRE RAVIGNAN
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Mary Wilder Tileston was born on August 20, 1843, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Caleb Foote, owner and editor of the Salem Gazette, and Mary Wilder White Foote. Raised in a family with strong intellectual and religious ties—her brother Henry Wilder Foote became a Harvard-educated minister, and her brother Arthur Foote a noted composer—she attended private schools in Salem. On September 25, 1865, she married John Boies Tileston, a publisher’s son, and they had seven children: Mary, Margaret, Roger, Amelia, Wilder, Edith, and Eleanor. The family lived in Concord, Massachusetts, on a 200-acre farm from around 1874 to 1882, then moved to Salem and later Brookline, Massachusetts, where she died on July 3, 1934. Tileston’s career was centered on her literary contributions rather than preaching. Her most notable work, Daily Strength for Daily Needs, a collection of prose, verse, and scripture for daily reading, sold over 250,000 copies by 1910 and was highly regarded. She compiled other devotionals, including Prayers Ancient and Modern (1897) and children’s works like The Child’s Harvest of Verse (1910), reflecting her love for spiritual literature. While not a preacher by occupation, her anthologies served a preaching-like function, offering spiritual guidance to readers. Her legacy lies in these writings, which continue to inspire, rather than in a formal ministerial role.