WARREN SHIVER My God, I Thank Thee

Author: Adelaide Anne Procter

(1825-1864) Composer: Fredrick Charles Maker

(1844-1927)

Adelaide Anne Procter was born on October 30, 1825 at Bedford Square, London, England. She was the first child of Bryan Walker Procter (who was also known as poet and playwright, Barry Cornwall.) Adelaide was a gifted child and was tops in her school classes. She excelled in math, geometry, piano and also French and German languages. She was excellent in poetry and became a gifted writer. By age 18 she contributed her works to the "Book of Beauty."

In 1853 she used the Pseudonym, "Mary Berwick," in the book "Household Words." She used this ghostwriter identity because she had become friends with Charles Dickens. She did not want him to show favoritism toward her, just because he knew her and her family. She wanted to earn respect from him on the merits of her works. Thus she used the pseudonym. Dickens was so impressed with her first poems that he asked Mary Berwick to send in more so that they could be used in future publications. It was much later before Dickens would discover that "Mary Berwick" and Adelaide Proctor were one and the same.

In 1851 Adelaide became a Roman Catholic. She was considered a Social Reformer; this no doubt influenced her poetry and writings, especially in the series of publications titled Legends and Lyrics. The first edition of these books appeared in 1858 and ran through 1865. There were nine editions in the seven-year span. The second series was printed in 1860 and ran simultaneously with the first series and was also very successful.

After her conversion to Catholicism, Adelaide's poems were infused with a strong Catholic content and teaching. She was the favorite writer and poet of Queen Victoria. She dedicated herself to the Catholic Church and the care and welfare of the poor people in her surroundings, wherever she might be.

Charles Dickens says it best when summing up her life: "full of enthusiasm and hope.' Now it was the visitation of the sick that had possession of her; now it was the sheltering of the homeless; now it was the elementary teaching of the densely ignorant; and now it was the raising up of those who had wandered and got trodden under foot; now it was the wider employment of her own sex in the general business of life; now it was all these things at once. Perfectly unselfish, swift to sympathize, and eager to relieve, she wrought at such designs with a flushed earnestness that disregarded season, weather, time of day or night, food and rest.'" Under such strain her

health gave way, and after 15 months of suffering she found rest. She was 39 years old. This is quite a compliment, coming from Charles Dickens himself.

The music for this hymn was written by Frederick Charles Maker. Frederick was born on August 6, 1844 in British, Gloucestershire, England. He played organ for several large churches in Bristol. He was also a visiting Professor of Music at Clifton College and conducted the British Free Church Choir Association.

Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe,NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12-year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. If you have questions or comments, he can be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by mail at PO BOX 775,Biscoe,NC 27209.

Warren has written two books, the first is a 300-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 1 costs $14.95, the second book, 340-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 2 costs $16.95. You may buy both books for $25.00. You may pick up your copies of both books at The Gaffney Ledger office on Floyd Baker Boulevard. Warren may be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com, or by mail at PO Box 775, Biscoe, NC.27209, you may also purchase the books on his website www.myfavoritehymnstories.com. Shipping for both books is $4.00, for one book $3.00. If you would like for Warren to come speak at your church, Sunday school class or any meeting you may contract him at 910-428-9911 or 910-428-4078.
Verse 1
My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright,
So full of splendor and of joy,
Beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right.
Verse 2
I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound;
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round,
That in the darkness spot of earth
Some love is found.
Verse 3
I thank Thee more that all our joy
Is touched with pain,
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth's bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.
Verse 4
For thou who knowest, Lord, how soon
Our weak heart clings,
Hast given us joys, tender and true,
Yet all with wings;
So that we see gleaming on high
Diviner things.
Verse 5
I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept
The best in store;
We have enough, yet not too much
To long for more:
A yearning for a deeper peace
Not known before.
Verse 6
I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls
Though amply blessed,
Can never find, although they seek
A perfect rest;
Nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus' breast.

This article may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the author.