The composer, Thomas Bishop Southgate, 1814-68, received his musical education under Sir John Goss and Samuel S. Wesley. For many years he was organist at St. Anne’s Church, London. 374. Though lowly here our lot may be _William Gaskell_, 1805-84 A hymn on the dignity of all work which is done through faith and trust in Christ. The author, William Gaskell, studied at Glasgow University and Manchester College, York, and became a Unitarian minister. His one and only charge was Cross Street Chapel, Manchester. He became Professor of English History and Literature in Manchester New College and was an influential leader in the community in the promotion of education and culture. His denomination bestowed upon him its highest honors. Mrs. Gaskell, a woman of brilliance and unusual literary gifts was encouraged by her husband to engage in literary work to distract her mind from the grief caused by the death of their little son. She turned out to be a popular writer, publishing works of fiction and the life of Charlotte Brontë. A memorial to her bears testimony to her genius, and to the “tenderness and fidelity” with which she adorned the minister’s home. Gaskell, a pioneer in social reform, wrote this hymn sometime before 1860. _MUSIC._ ABRIDGE is also known as “ST. STEPHEN” (See 266 and 590). For comments on the tune see Hymn 266. HARVEST AND THANKSGIVING 375. We plow the fields, and scatter _Matthias Claudius_, 1740-1815 This is one of the finest harvest hymns. In 1783 Claudius wrote a sketch called, “Paul Erdman’s Feast,” in which there is an interesting picture of a harvest thanksgiving celebration in the home of a North German farmer. The farm folk gather at the house of Erdman and as they do so they sing: Wir pflügen und wir streuen Den Samen auf das Land, Doch Wachstum und Gedeihen Steht nicht in unserer Hand. Alle gute Gabe Kommt oben her, von Gott Vom schönen blauen Himmel herab. Matthias Claudius, son of a Lutheran pastor in Germany, became distinguished in journalism and literature. He studied theology with a view of entering the ministry; but through the influence of the rationalistic teachings in Germany at the time, he lost interest in religion and decided to take up journalism. Later, stricken with a critical illness, he realized the spiritual emptiness of the life he had been living, and again turned to his childhood faith. In the lyrics he wrote, though not composed as church hymns, there may be observed a transition from the spiritual impoverishment of the rationalistic period to a new type of religious poetry giving expression to a turning once more to the rugged faith of evangelicalism. The hymn was translated by Jane Campbell, 1817-78, a successful teacher of music to children. She published a _Handbook for Singers_ in which are found the musical exercises the author used in her work with London children. The original hymn is in 17 four-line verses.