Presbyterian minister and hymnographer Calvin Weiss Laufer was born today in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania in 1874. Following his graduation from Union Seminary in 1900 he was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry and led congregations in New York and New Jersey for several years.
Laufer had a generally cheerful outlook on his Christian life, and his first two books, Key-Notes of Optimism (1911) and The Incomparable Christ (1914) expressed that viewpoint. A review of the first book spoke of the "crisp and stirring note in these sermonettes which is well calculated to rouse the mind of readers and banish dejection." His books were popular in their time but today are seen as somewhat superficial.
He later began to work with the Presbyt… Go to person page >
The tune NOEL (also used at 185) is also known as EARDISLEY or GERARD. Arthur Seymour Sullivan (b Lambeth, London. England. 1842; d. Westminster, London, 1900) adapted this traditional English melody (probably one of the variants of the folk song "Dives and Lazarus"), added phrases of his own to rec…
Display Title: The world, dear Lord, is very largeFirst Line: The world, dear Lord, is very largeTune Title: NORTONAuthor: Rev. Calvin W. LauferDate: 1927
Display Title: The world, dear Lord, is very largeFirst Line: The world, dear Lord, is very largeTune Title: NOELAuthor: Calvin W. LauferMeter: C.M.D.Date: 1935Subject: Brotherhood and Service | World Peace