Theodore Parker

Parker, Theodore, M.A., was born at Lexington, Massachusetts, Aug. 24, 1810; laboured with his father as a farmer and mechanic; entered Harvard College in 1830, but continued his work at home and attended the College for examinations; attended the Divinity School from 1834 to 1836, and became pastor of the Unitarian congregation in West Roxbury, June 21, 1837. He received the degree of M.A. from his College in 1840. Changes in his theological views led him to undertake the pastorate of a congregation in Boston, in January 1846. He continued his writing, preaching, and lecturing till 1859, when bleeding at the lungs compelled him to seek relief in Europe. He died at Florence, May 10, 1860. His publications were numerous, and have been republished in Great Britain. An extended list is given, together with 12 poetic pieces, in Putnam's Singers and Songs of the Liberal Faith, Boston, U. S. A., 1875. His life has been published by Weiss, and by Frothingham. A few of his poetical pieces are given in American Unitarian hymn-books.

These include :—
1. In darker days and nights of storm. Almighty Love. "Introduced in a sermon which Mr. Parker preached, entitled ‘The Practical Effects of the Ecclesiastical Conception of God.’”
2. 0 Thou great Friend of all the sons of men. Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This in the original is a sonnet. Altered for use as a hymn, it is widely used by American Unitarian; and is also given in some English hymnbooks.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)