373. O Son of Man, Thou madest known
Milton S. Littlefield, 1864-1934
A hymn on the sacredness of work, connecting Jesus with the labor of mankind. The emphasis on the social aspect of religion in terms of our common life is a dominant note in twentieth-century hymnody.
The author, Milton S. Littlefield, was born in New York City; educated at Johns Hopkins and Union Theological Seminary; and became an honored and prominent Presbyterian minister. Recognized as an authority in the field of hymnology, he edited two hymn books and was elected president of the American Hymn Society, 1927-28. Besides the present hymn, he wrote another beginning with the line, “Come, O Lord, like morning sunlight.” Both are serviceable hymns, and it is singular that neither found its way into the Presbyterian Hymnal, 1933.
MUSIC. BROOKFIELD. This tune first appeared in the Congregational Church Hymnal, London, 1887, edited by Dr. E. J. Hopkins (See [43]). The book contained the best hymn tunes for congregational singing then available.
The composer, Thomas Bishop Southgate, 1814-68, received his musical education under Sir John Goss and Samuel S. Wesley. For many years he was organist at St. Anne’s Church, London.