327 Christ for the World We Sing
Samuel Wolcott, 1813-86
The author of this hymn, Samuel Wolcott, born at South Windsor, Conn., graduated from Yale at 20, spent two years in Syria as a missionary, and then, on account of failing health, returned to the United States where he served as pastor in various Congregational churches. The hymn was suggested to him by a motto, “Christ for the World and the World for Christ,” made from branches of evergreen, in a Cleveland church where a Y.M.C.A. convention was held. One night, walking home from the convention to which he was a delegate, the words of the hymn took form. Yankton College, South Dakota, has adopted it as the opening hymn for each term of school.
MUSIC. MALVERN. For comments on this tune and its composer, John Roberts, see Hymn 131.