Calvin Weiss Laufer

Calvin Weiss Laufer (1874–1938) was an American Presbyterian minister, hymn writer, composer, editor, and Christian-education worker. Born in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, he studied at Franklin and Marshall College and graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 1900. His early ministry included pastorates at Steinway Reformed Church in Long Island City and First Presbyterian Church in West Hoboken, New Jersey.

In 1915 Laufer moved into denominational publishing and educational work with the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work. From the mid-1920s until his death he worked with the Presbyterian Board of Christian Education, where hymnody and music publications became a major part of his responsibilities. He contributed to or edited a range of church-school and congregational resources, including The Church School Hymnal for Youth, Junior Church School Hymnal, Hymn Lore, The Hymnal, Handbook to the Hymnal, and When the Little Child Wants to Sing.

Laufer wrote both hymn texts and tunes. His books included Key-Notes of Optimism (1911), The Incomparable Christ (1914), and The Bible—Story and Content (1924). Among his enduring musical contributions is HALL, associated with William H. Foulkes's “Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord.” He also wrote both the words and music of “We Thank Thee, Lord, Thy Paths of Service Lead,” dating the text and its tune FIELD to 1919. His career joined pastoral ministry, denominational education, hymnological scholarship, editing, poetry, and practical music for congregational use.