UNTO THE HILLS

The text of our hymn today is basically a paraphrase of Psalm 121.  It was written by John D. S. Campbell who was born in 1845. 

He was Marquis of Lorne and later became the ninth Duke of Argyll.  He was educated at Eton, at St. Andrews and at Trinity College in Cambridge.  He became a Member of Parliament for Argyll in 1868.  In 1871, he married Princess Louisa Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.

After serving for three years as a private secretary to his father, who was Secretary of State for India, Campbell was appointed Governor-General of Canada where he served in this capacity from 1878 to 1883. 

Since he and his wife were quite popular with the Canadians, the province of Alberta was named for his wife, Louisa, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert.  John founded the Royal Society of Canada to promote arts and sciences.  He authored two books about the country.  He was well known as a writer and poet, in addition to being a strong and earnest churchman.

You might want to read Psalm 121 after you hear or sing John Campbell’s hymn UNTO THE HILLS.