George Duffield, Jr.

George Duffield Jr. D.D. (September 12, 1818 – July 6, 1888) was an American Presbyterian minister and hymnodist.

He was born on September 12, 1818, the fifth such George Duffield. He was born to George Duffield IV, who was also a Presbyterian minister, and Isabella Graham Bethune Duffield. He married and had a son, minister Samuel Willoughby Duffield. He died on July 6, 1888, and was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.

Biography George Duffield Jr. was born on September 12, 1818, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He grew up around his father and grandfather who were both preachers. At age thirteen, Duffield professed his complete devotion to the church. In 1834, at the age of sixteen, Duffield matriculated to Yale College. Despite his young age, he was known for his exceptional intellectual ability, particularly in the literary disciplines. He graduated from Yale in 1837, being the youngest out of the 104 members within the graduating class. Subsequently, he attended the Union Seminary in New York City where, in 1840, he received a doctorate in theology.

Family life George Duffield Jr. was born to Rev. George Duffield IV and Isabella G. (Bethune) Duffield. His father was a prominent pastor and a leader in the New School wing of the Presbyterian Church. Duffield's pastoral journey in the 1800s led him to a very successful revival during the winter of 1857-58 that spread throughout the land of Philadelphia. The influence of this revival that Duffield participated in was commonly referred to during that time as "The Work of God in Philadelphia," and Pastor George Duffield happened to be at the helm of this quest for souls. During Duffield's 48 years as a preacher of the gospel, he also spent some time serving as a Christian Commission delegate at Gettysburg.

Influence on American culture George Duffield Jr.'s contributions as a preacher and hymn writer have had a notable impact on American culture. In 1888, his work "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" was described as "New School Presbyterianism's best known contribution to the American religious heritage". During the American Civil War, the hymn became popular amongst soldiers of the Union Army, likely due to its inspiring and militant language. It has continued to be sung by Christians of numerous denominations well after its composition in 1858. In addition, the hymn has been featured in episodes of The Waltons, amongst other TV shows and films.

In his service as a minister, Duffield Jr. influenced his congregation through sermons on what he considered to be "national sins". He preached against slavery, intemperance, the mistreatment of Native Americans and Mexicans, and the practice of polygamy amongst Mormons.

As a regent at the University of Michigan, he played a part in the establishment of the Young Men's Christian Association at the university, helping to obtain its location.

During the American Civil War, Duffield frequently ministered to Union soldiers, which he periodically documented. In a Sailor's magazine published during the war, he wrote in vivid detail his experience preaching to members of the Navy: Agreeably to my appointment, at 10 o'clock a.m., I found myself on the deck of the double-turreted monitor Onondaga, Commodore Melauethou Smith of the Reformed Dutch Church. Half a mile back of us was now a battery of the enemy, eight guns already mounted, four more mounting, and ready at any moment to open fire upon us. Rather interesting and suggestive circumstances in which to preach! With the crew of the Onondaga and part of the crew of the Sangus, Captain Colbonen of the Alexander Church, Philadelphia, we had a full deck. I preached of Christ as at the hand of the kingdom of Providence as of the kingdom of Grace–as the Saviour of nations as well as individuals. On April 21, 1861, following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, Duffield preached a sermon entitled "Courage in a Good Cause" which spoke out against the Confederacy and called for fearlessness in standing up for what is right.

In 1861, another historical sermon was published: The God of Our Fathers. In this, he expresses concern for the nation given the prevalence of intemperance within its political leaders.

Hymns Some of his hymns include: "Blessed Saviour, Thee I Love" "Parted for some Anxious Days" "Praise to our Heavenly Father, God" "Slowly in Sadness and in Tears" "Stand up, stand up for Jesus"

"Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" Dudley Tyng was an Episcopalian minister and close friend of George Duffield Jr. Tyng was in a terrible accident in which he lost his arm, and eventually his life. His final statement was, "Let us all stand up for Jesus." His final words were the inspiration for George Duffield Jr.'s most famous hymn, "Stand up, stand up for Jesus". Additionally, the hymn has received omission from a 1989 collection as not to exclude handicapped people.