Background
Patten was born in Bowdoinham, Maine, on March 26, 1864, the son of Captain Bardwell P. Patten and Frances J. (“Fanny”) Meserve.
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Arthur Bardwell Patten
Edit ProfileEducation
Patten was educated at Colby University (Bachelor of Arts 1890) and received his theology degree from Bangor Theological Seminary (in 1893).
Career
He was the author of books, hymn texts and poems. His best remembered work is the hymn text “Faith of Our Mothers” written circa 1920. His Patten ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Bowdoinham.
A section of the town called Patten’s Landing is named for them.
He was ordained as a Congregational minister in Everett, Massachusetts, on February 1, 1894. Patten was part of the world mission movement of the late 1800s that strove to “reach the world for Jesus in our generation.”
Patten was the author of books, articles and poems, including:
“The Awakening” - 1892
“The Religious Training of Children” – 1897
“Youth, Plus” (poem)
A Hymn for the Dedication of the New Organ at Torrington, Connecticut – 1922
"Can We Find God?" - (George H Doran Company, New York) - 1924
“Open Letter to Professor
John Dewey" - 1933
In cradle song and bedtime prayer;
In nursery lore and fireside love,
Thy presence still pervades the air:
We will be true to thee to death. Fount of our childhood"s trust and grace,
Oh, may thy consecration prove
Source of a finer, nobler race:
We will be true to thee till death.
Foreign youthful longing, youthful doubt,
How blurred our vision, blind our way,
Thy providential care without:
We will be true to thee till death.
Is truth beyond our stumbling creeds,
Still serve the home and save the Church,
And breathe thy spirit through our deeds:
We will be true to thee till death.
