The third stanza, raising the hymn above any narrow patriotism, was added by William E. Hickson, an English shoe manufacturer who retired from that business to pursue literary and philanthropic interests. Much interested in the musical culture of his people, he published various books on music and composed numerous musical works of merit. For a time he was editor of the Westminster Review.
MUSIC. DORT. For comments on the composer of this tune, Lowell Mason, see [Hymn 12].
349. Great God of nations, now to Thee
Alfred A. Woodhull, 1810-36
Entitled “Thanksgiving Hymn,” this poem was written in 1828 when the author was only eighteen years old. It was published in the Presbyterian Psalms and Hymns, 1829, Princeton, N. J. There have been many alterations of the lines.
Alfred Alexander Woodhull, son of a Presbyterian minister, graduated from Princeton at 18 years of age, and then took a medical course at the University of Pennsylvania. He began the practice of medicine at Marietta, Pennsylvania, then moved to Princeton where within a year he contracted a fever which occasioned his death. Known as a fine Christian man as well as a skilled physician, his early death was greatly lamented. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
MUSIC. MENDON. For comments on this tune see [Hymn 211].
WORLD FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE
350. O God, we pray for all mankind
Howard J. Conover, 1850-1925