Born in Syracuse, New York, on August 3, 1858, into a socially prominent family, Maltbie was given many opportunities to succeed, which he did not waste. At Syracuse University, he was a champion baseball pitcher and an outstanding varsity swimmer. His friendliness, coupled with a magnetic personality, made him a natural leader. In the years that followed, he was ordained into the Presbyterian Church and had a distinguished ministry in Baltimore and New York City's Brick Presbyterian Church. His life would be cut short at the age of 43, while on a Mediterranean tour to Naples, Italy. Rev. Maltbie Babcock would, by now, be totally forgotten except for one thing: he penned a song, thus preserving his story for us who love the hymns.
The pastor was a skilled musician and a great lover of nature. He enjoyed the "great out of doors." While pastoring a church in Lockport, New York, the inspiration for writing "This Is My Father's World" came to him. Rev. Babcock was in the habit of taking morning walks to the top of a hill north of Lockport where he had a full view of Lake Ontario and the surrounding countryside. He would say to his wife, "I'm going out to see my Father's world." It was on one of these early morning walks that he was inspired to write these words:
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
Maltbie Babcock understood that nature reflects God's creative ownership of the world, but he also understood that the Lord also controls man' destiny:
This is my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the Ruler yet.br> This is my Father's world! The battle is not done,
Jesus who died shall be satisfied.
And earth and heaven be one.
hymn story:
In 1225, a devoted Italian monk named Francis of Assisi wrote the lyrics for “All Creatures Of Our God and King." The music portion was added much later. Praise of God is the theme surrounding this lovely hymn and it echoes Francis' love for the world God created. All earth's creatures get life from God and all depend on Him for their existence. Saint Francis of Assisi, as he was to be later known, had a deep abiding love of nature and saw God’s hands in everything. The wonderful music and lyrics of “All Creatures Of Our God And King” reflect the grateful heart that penned the words.
Throughout his life, Saint Francis of Assisi demonstrated a humble and forgiving spirit. The beneficiary of inherited wealth, Francis lived the self-indulgent life of a soldier until the age of twenty-five. Then, he renounced his birthright and chose to live a poor, meager lifestyle as his honor to Christ’s selflessness. One psalm comes to mind when referring to Saint Francis of Assisi: Psalms 145:10,11 "All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power." The words and music of “ All Creatures Of Our God And King” causes the listener to pay attention to God’s handiwork all around them.
