382 OUR HYMNS :
corne a Christian, he decided that it was his duty to be a Christian minister. To qualify himself for this, he went first to Philips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and after three years there, to Yale College, New Haven, where he graduated in 1880. After a year s study in New York, he returned to New Haven to spend three years in theological studies. He also assisted at the same time Dr. E. A. Andrews, the author of the well-known Latin Dictionary, in his Young Ladies Institute.
From 1835 to 1850, Dr. Palmer was pastor of the Central Congregational Church, Bath, State of Maine. And in 1847, to recruit his health, he made a European tour, and on his return published his notes of travel in the " Christian Mirror," at Port land. In 1850 he became pastor of the first Congregational church at Albany, New York, a position he still occupies.
Dr. Palmer is a review writer, and has published sermons and pamphlets. He is also the author of " Spiritual Improvement ; or, Aids to Growth in Grace:" and of " Meditations Preparatory to the Communion Service :" and of a work that has had a wide sale, " What is truth ; or, Hints on the Formation of Religious Opinions," 1861.
As a translator of hymns from the Latin, Dr. Palmer has been very successful, and for many years his occasional hymns found an appreciative welcome ; but it was not till 1865 that he pub lished a volume of "Hymns and Sacred Poems." His hymns are justly prized on both sides of the Atlantic.
There is one hymn by Dr. Palmer in the " New Congregational Hymn Book," a hymn of acknowledged excellence
"My faith looks up to Thee." No. 544.
Dr. Belcher relates that Lowell Mason, having applied to Dr. Palmer for a hymn to set to music, he drew this from his pocket. It had been written a few weeks before. The words and music were shortly after published. It appeared in Dr. Andrew Reed s collection in 1841. In a modern American col lection it is dated 1830.
�� �
