Charlotte M. Packard
A hymn of gratitude for the common gifts too often taken for granted—the physical senses, the air, sun, darkness and sleep, the courtesies of friendship, etc. The last stanza is a prayer for unforgetful gratitude.
Information regarding the author, Charlotte M. Packard, has not been traced. The hymn was taken from Hymns of the Spirit, 1937, Boston.
MUSIC. ILLSLEY appeared in A Sett of New Psalm Tunes in Four Parts by John Bishop, c. 1700, where it is set to Psalm 100.
John Bishop, the composer, 1665-1737, was an English musician who became organist of Winchester College in 1695 and in 1729 was appointed organist of Winchester Chapel. He is buried in the Cloisters of the College with the following epitaph:
Vir singulari probitate, integerrima vita, moribus innocuis, musicaeque scientiae bene peritus, qui, postquam huic Collegio per XLII, annos sedulo inserviisset, ad Caelestam Choram placide migravit, decimo nono die Decembris, anno Dom. 1737, Aetat. 72. (A man of unexampled honesty, purest life, blameless morals, and of excellent skill in music, who, after serving this College diligently for 42 years, passed tranquilly to the Celestial Choir on the 19th of December A.D. 1737, aged 72.)
177. My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
Adelaide Anne Proctor, 1825-64
A hymn of pure gratitude, expressing thankfulness even for the trials of life. It is equally useful for the sick and the well.
Adelaide Anne Proctor was born in London, the daughter of Bryan W. Proctor, known in literary circles as “Barry Cornwall.” She possessed extraordinary intellectual power and was specially gifted in music and language. Miss Proctor contributed lyrics to Household Verses, edited by Chas. Dickens, who wrote with admiration of her verse making, her mental resources, humor, and works of beneficence. At 38 years of age her physical strength weakened and then followed 15 weary months of helplessness during which, however, she maintained her old cheerfulness with never a trace of depression or regret. She was brought up in the Church of England, but at the age of 26 united with the Roman Catholics. Her broad sympathies and deep religious convictions placed her above the dogmas of any one communion and enabled her to express the aspirations of all God’s children. Besides her hymns, Miss Proctor is best known as the author of the popular song, “The Lost Chord,” set to music by Arthur Sullivan.