Hymns in Prose for Children, published in 1781, is Anna Barbauld’s second educational work, following her Lessons for Children from Two to Four Years Old (1778–1779). Whereas the latter collection was centered on secular instruction for children of that age, Hymns in Prose aims to introduce readers to tenets of the Christian faith. Written in a didactic style which encourages the child to not only accept but to also praise the existence of God, Hymns in Prose provides a framework through which to understand the spiritual reality of the world. The collection of hymns also reflects Barbauld’s liberal dissenting beliefs as she applies the concept of God’s love to animals, servants, and enslaved peoples, teaching her readers to feel empathy for those who are different from them. Hymns in Prose is unique in this sense, as it blends traditional catechesis with social consciousness in order to cultivate compassion within young readers.