This Is My Father’s World

Maltbie Babcock was arguably the most remarkable student Syracuse University had ever seen. Hailing from an aristocratic family, he was a brilliant scholar with a winning personality. Tall and steel-muscled, he was an outstanding athlete, expert swimmer, and captain of the baseball team. He also directed the university’s orchestra, played several instruments, and composed original compositions. A proficient vocalist, he directed the university glee club. He entertained other students by drawing and doing impersonations. On the side, he was an avid fisherman.

He would have been successful in any profession, but God called him to the ministry; and after further training at Auburn Theological Seminary, he became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Lockport, New York. It was a beautiful area - midway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, not far from Niagara Falls - and Maltbie enjoyed hiking and running in the hills outside town. Telling his secretary, “I’m going out to see my Fathers world,” he would run or hike a couple of miles into the countryside where he’d lose himself in nature.

It was during his pastorate at Lockport that he wrote a sixteen-stanza poem, each verse beginning with the words, “This is My Father’s World.”

In 1886, Maltbie was called to the Brown Memorial Church in Baltimore. Following a distinguished ministry in Baltimore, he succeeded Henry van Dyke as pastor of New York City’s Brick Presbyterian Church. While on a Mediterranean tour eighteen months later, he died in Naples, Italy.

Babcock’s poetic verses were published in 1901, shortly after his sudden and untimely death.