Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

Hymn Writer John Whittier, Composer Frederick Maker, Tune 'Rest'

Jun 19, 2008

The hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" was written by John Greenleaf Whittier, composed by Frederick C. Maker, Tune "Rest;" Bible reference is Isaiah 30: 15.

J.G. Whittier, the writer of this thoughtful sacred song "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" has often been called "America's beloved Quaker poet," and regarded as one of the most distinguished poets of the United States.

Whittier wrote this hymn in 1872, to express his Quaker conviction that the way to God was through simplicity and sincerity. It was part of his larger 17-stanza poem entitled "The Brewing of Soma." Soma is the name of an intoxicating drink used in the religious rites of a Hindu sect in India.

He described the intoxicating effects of this drink upon those who drank it, as they imagined themselves to be in the presence of the gods, producing a "frenzy, a sacred madness, an estatic storm of drunken joy." Then he likened the religious experiences of many people in the present day churches whose practices were just as false and harmful like the Soma rites.

Hymn Writer John Greenleaf Whittier

John Whittier, born on December 17, 1807, near Haverhill, Massachusetts, began writing poetry at an early age, inspired by the works of Robert Burns. One day Whittier's sister sent one of his poems to William Lloyd Garrison, editor of the weekly Free Press in Newbury Port. The editor was impressed with the young poet's works, and so began a long friendship. John was encouraged by the editor to study at the Haverhill Academy for two years. For some years later, Whittier had an extensive journalistic career.

Pomp, ritual, or emotion had no place in Whittier's view of worship. To him, worship was always reflected in the way a man made use of the life God had given him through his love and relation to others. He is often grouped with his famed New England literary contemporaries like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry W. Longfellow, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. However, because of poverty, he did not have a formal college education.

Whittier's Career Distinction and Legacy

Whittier was elected to the Massachusetts legislature and still became editor of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He also became closely associated with the influential magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, founded shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. In all of his writings, he wrote strongly for the abolition of slavery. In 1866, with the publishing of one of his most popular works, "Snow-Bound," his national reputation as a writer was established. He wrote much prose and poetry.

John Whittier had little knowledge of hymn singing since the Quakers did not allow singing in their services at that time. The hymn editors took enough of his poems to make numerous hymns of his poems. Two of his more enduring hymns are "Immortal Love, Forever Full" and "All Things are Thine, No Gift Have We."

His long and fruitful life ended on September 7, 1892 in New Hampshire, buried at Amesbury. The Amesbury House is now a national shrine, visited by many admirers of the Quaker poet.

Composer Frederick C. Maker

Frederick C. Maker, the composer of this hymn to the tune "Rest," was an accomplished Irish musician and composer. He traveled extensively and lived in many parts of the world. The tune "Rest" was composed for Whitttier's text in 1887, for the Congregational Church Hymnal, published in London. Maker is also the composer of a popular and loved hymn among Christians, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus."

Lyrics of "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

Lyrics and Music Link

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