For all thy gifts we praise thee, Lord

For all thy gifts we praise thee, Lord. James Freeman Clarke* (1810-1888).  Published in Service Book: for the use of the Church of the Disciples of Christ (1844), and then in The Disciples’ Hymn Book (Boston, 1844), where it was entitled ‘Feast of the Reformation’. The word ‘Feast’ in the title suggests that Clarke was attempting to create a new Feast Day, in opposition to the traditional calendar of Saints’ Days and other days in the church calendar. It had eight stanzas, and was given as by ‘J.F. Clarke’:  For all thy gifts we praise thee, Lord, With lifted song and bended knee; But now our thanks are chiefly poured For those who taught us to be free.  For when the soul lay...