Howard Benjamin Grose

Howard Benjamin Grose was an American Baptist minister, educator, editor, missionary advocate, and hymn writer born at Millerton, New York, in 1851. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1876 and received an A.M. there in 1880. Ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1883, he served pastorates in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before becoming president of the University of South Dakota in 1890. He later taught history at the University of Chicago and returned to pastoral and editorial work.

Grose became closely involved with the Christian Endeavor movement and helped prepare hymnbooks intended for young people's societies, Sunday schools, and prayer meetings. An early hymnal companion states that he wrote “Give of Your Best to the Master” for a Christian Endeavor hymnal he was editing, which helps explain the text's prominent appeal to youthful strength, consecration, and service.

His later work centered heavily on Baptist missions and publishing. He served the American Baptist Home Mission Society and edited its magazine “Missions” for more than two decades. His books included “Aliens or Americans?” and “The Incoming Millions,” both concerned with immigration and Christian mission. He also coedited “The Praise Book” in 1906.