My Faith Looks Up to Thee by Lora Clement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 5, 1912

“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”

By Lora Clement

LORA CLEMENT

THE author of this matchless hymn did not pen the words for other eyes, but in the solitude of his chamber, “with a deep consciousness of his own needs, he transferred to paper, as faithfully as he could, what was passing within his heart.” At this time (1875) Dr. Palmer was teaching in New York. He copied the poem in a small morocco-covered pocket note-book which he usually carried. Several years later Dr. Lowell Mason met him on the streets of Boston, and asked for some contributions to a “Hymn and Tune Book,” which he was about to publish. The little book containing “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” was shown him, and he asked for a copy. They stepped into a stationer’s together, and the copy was made and given him. Without much notice, Dr. Mason put it into his pocket. On looking it over after his return home, he was very much impressed with the words, and wrote for them the tune “Olivet,” to which the hymn has been almost universally sung. Two or three days later he met Mr. Palmer and earnestly exclaimed: “You may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of ‘My Faith Looks Up to Thee.’”

Among the many incidents given illustrating the helpfulness of this hymn, the following is of special interest:—

During a fearful storm at sea, in December, 1882, the propeller of the German steamship “Spree” broke, knocking a large hole through her bottom, and leaving her helpless. She was not only in danger of sinking, but was also being rapidly driven out of her course. The passengers were in a panic, and one leaped overboard to death. Dwight L. Moody was on the ship, and he “inspired all with courage by his splendid composure and oft-repeated assurances that God would answer their prayers and bring them safely to land.” They met in the saloon to implore divine help, and the comforting words of this song came unbidden to their lips. On board an apparently sinking ship in mid-ocean, seven hundred persons joined in singing:—

“My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, O, let me from this day Be wholly thine!”

Their prayers were answered and their faith rewarded. Mr. Moody says, “God sent the ‘Lake Huron’ to our rescue, and made the storm a calm.”