My hymn was composed in the manse of Innellan, on the evening of June 6, 1882. I was at that time alone. It was the day of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying over night in Glasgow. Something had happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression rather of having it dictated to me by some inward voice than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. The Hymnal Committee of the Church of Scotland desired the change of one word. I had written originally “I climb the rainbow in the rain.” They objected to the word “climb” and I put in “trace.” George W. Matheson, son of a wealthy merchant in Glasgow, was an able and greatly honored minister in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. He was educated at Glasgow University and licensed to preach when 24 years old. During his University course, and all the rest of his life, he had to depend on the eyesight of others, which makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. He was a brilliant student and became a distinguished preacher and pastor. At St. Bernard’s Church, Edinburgh, he served a membership of over 2,000, never neglecting his duties of pastoral calling in which he was invariably accompanied by his devoted sister. He was a scholar of distinction and was the author of 25 books, including such well-known works as _Representative Men of the Bible_, _Representative Women of the Bible_, _The Spiritual Development of St. Paul_, and a book of _Sacred Songs_. Of the many hymns he wrote, several have been used in hymn books but only this one has gained universal popularity. _MUSIC._ ST. MARGARET was written one summer day as the composer was sitting by the sea on the island of Arran and reading over Matheson’s verses. The tune came to him suddenly and he hastened to the house where he was staying where (in his own words): “I wrote the music straight off, and I may say that the ink of the first note was hardly dry when I finished the tune.” The composer, Albert Lister Peace, 1844-1912, was organist at Glasgow Cathedral and at the time he wrote this tune, he was music editor of the revised _Scottish Hymnal_ of 1885. 176. For common gifts we bless Thee, Lord _Charlotte M. Packard_ A hymn of gratitude for the common gifts too often taken for granted—the physical senses, the air, sun, darkness and sleep, the courtesies of friendship, etc. The last stanza is a prayer for unforgetful gratitude. Information regarding the author, Charlotte M. Packard, has not been traced. The hymn was taken from _Hymns of the Spirit_, 1937, Boston.