C. R. Blackall

Blackall, Christopher Ruby, M.D., born in New York State, 1830, and educated for the medical profession. For 15 years he followed his profession, including service in the army during the civil war. Subsequently he managed, for 14 years, a branch of the Baptist Publication Society, taking at the same time great interest in Sunday School work. He edited the Advanced Bible Lesson Quarterly, for 3 years, and also Our Little Ones.
1. The prize is set before us. Heaven anticipated. This is one of Dr. Blackall's most popular hymns for children. It was written in 1874 for the Sunday School of 2nd Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois, and set to music by H. R. Palmer. It first appeared in Palmer's Songs of Love for the Bible School, 1874, from whence it has passed into numerous collections, including I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, Lond., 1881.
2. Follow the paths of Jesus. Following Jesus. This is included in the Baptist Hymn [& Tune] Book, Phila., 1871, No. 701.
3. Do the right, never fear. Duty . In W. R. Stevenson's School Hymnal, Lond., 1880, No. 269.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)