Posted in converted to Christ, died today, history, Jesus Christ, poet American, today in history, uncategorized, worship, tagged My faith looks up to Thee, Ray Palmer, Savior divine, Thou Lamb of Calvary on March 29, 2015|
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ON THIS DATE
Ray Palmer died 3/29/1887, Newark, NJ. He was born 11/12/1808, Little Compton, RI, son of Judge Thomas Palmer but grew up in Boston. He attended Phillips Academy (Oliver Wendell Holmes was a classmate) & graduated from Yale. After that he taught at woman’s schools & studied theology privately.
In 1834 he entered the ministry pastoring the Congregational Church, Bath, ME (1835-1850) & the First Congregational Church, Albany, NY (1850-1865). Finally he served as Corresponding Secretary of the American Congregational Union until retirement (1878).
He published 11 books among them are Closet Hours, Hymns & Sacred Pieces, Hymns of My Holy Hours & Other Pieces, Complete Poetical Works, & he penned 38 hymns. Dr. Duffield (wrote English Hymns) expressed his regard this way, “He has written more & better hymns than any other American.” Palmer met Lowell Mason on a Boston street who asked him to write something for a new hymnal. Palmer located what is below in his old notes. Mason composed the tune & days later told Palmer, “You may live many years & do many good things but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of “My Faith Looks Up to Thee.” Mason was right – this hymn has been translated into over 20 languages.
“My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away, O let me from this day be wholly Thine!”
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