1880 RAY PALMER. Autograph Letter Related to Famous Hymn "Lead Thou Kindly Light."

Wonderful ALS by influential 19th century hymnist, Ray Palmer [1808-1887]. Often considered one of the best American hymnists of the 19th century, he was in some ways the predecessor of Ira Sankey. Like Sankey, his hymns were deeply evangelical, informed by the personal piety narrative of the Second Great Awakening, and eminently singable.  After a potent personal experience during the Awakening, Palmer sensed a call to the ministry and enrolled at Yale. He was ordained in 1835 and became pastor in Congregational churches in Bath, Maine (1835-1850) and Albany, New York (1850-1865). He then served as secretary of the American Congregational Union (1865-1878). In addition to his hymns, Palmer was a popular preacher and author. He published volumes of poetry and hymns, including Sabbath Hymn Book (1858), Hymns and Sacred Pieces (1865), and Hymns of My Holy Hours (1868). His complete poetical works were published in 1876. The hymn referenced in the present letter is perhaps the example pa