Elizabeth Parson

Parson, Elizabeth, nee Hooker, daughter of the Rev. W. Rooker (for nearly fifty years Congregational Minister at Tavistock), was born at Tavistock, June 5, 1812, and married in 1844 to Mr. T. Edgecombe Parson. She died at Plymouth in 1873. Previous to her marriage (from 1840 to 1844) Mrs. Parson conducted a class for young men and women in the vestry of her father's chapel on Sunday evenings, and to which was given the name of the “Willing Class," because those who came, came "willingly." For this class she wrote from 1840 to 1844 several hymns, some of which came into use through various collections including the Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858, and others at a later date. A few years ago 18 of these hymns were collected, and printed for private circulation by one of her old scholars as Willing Class Hymns. The greater part of these hymns have found a place in children's hymn-books, some fifteen collections having one or more therein. For tenderness, "Saviour, round Thy footstool bending," is the most pathetic; and for praise, "Angels round the throne are praising," and "What shall we render?" the most joyous. Mrs. Parson also wrote a few hymns for adults, which have been printed for private use only. In addition to those hymns there are also the following in common use:—
1. Far above the lofty sky. Praise.
2. Father of spirits, we entreat. New Year.
3. Hark ! a distant voice is calling. Missions.
4. Hark ! 'tis the Saviour calls. The Invitation.
5. Is there one heart, dear Saviour here? Passiontide.
6. Jesus, we love to meet. Sunday.
7. Lord, we bend before Thee now. Home Missions, or Prayer Meetings.
8. Lord, we stand before Thy throne. This is an altered form of No. 7.
9. Our Saviour's voice is soft and sweet. Missions.
10. This is God's most holy day. Sunday.
11. Youthful, weak, and unprotected. Self Dedication to Christ.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)