Frank Mason North

Frank Mason North was an American Methodist Episcopal minister, editor, missionary administrator, ecumenical leader, social reform advocate, and hymn writer. Born in New York City in 1850, he graduated from Wesleyan University in 1872 and entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry that same year. He served pastorates in Florida, New York, and Connecticut before moving into denominational mission leadership.

From 1892 to 1912 North served as corresponding secretary of the New York City Church Extension and Missionary Society and edited its periodical, The Christian City. He later became secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Board of Foreign Missions. His interests extended to urban ministry, labor and child-welfare questions, women's rights, and cooperation among Protestant churches. He helped organize the Methodist Federation for Social Service, contributed to the Methodist Social Creed, and served as president of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America from 1916 to 1920.

North wrote a relatively small but influential body of hymns. Representative texts include Jesus, the Calm That Fills My Breast and O Master of the Waking World. His best-known city-mission hymn became a durable example of Protestant hymnody addressing social responsibility, urban suffering, Christian compassion, and the public dimensions of discipleship.