THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD

Maltbie Babcock hailed from an aristocratic family.  He was a brilliant scholar with a winning personality and arguably the most remarkable student Syracuse University had ever seen.  He was tall and athletically outstanding.  He was an expert swimmer and captain of the baseball team.  He directed the university’s orchestra, played several instruments and composed music.  A proficient vocalist, he directed the university glee club.  He entertained by drawing and doing impersonations.  And to top it all off, he was an avid fisherman!

Maltbie would have been successful at any profession, yet God called him to the ministry.  After seminary training, he became the pastor of a church in New York near Niagara Falls.  He enjoyed the beautiful area and enjoyed the opportunity to hike or run in the hills outside town.  Telling his secretary, “I’m going out to see my Father’s world,” he would find a spot where he could lose himself in nature.  This inspiration led to his composition of a sixteen-stanza poem with each verse starting with the words, “This is my Father’s World.”

While on a trip to the Holy Land at the age of 42, he contracted a deadly bacterial fever and died.  After his death, his wife compiled his writings into a book entitled ‘Thoughts for Everyday Living’, published in 1901.  Included was his poem which was later set to the traditional English melody we have today.  It is a beautiful hymn entitled THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD.  You can imagine yourself sitting in God’s creation as you sing it!