[1] In 1847, the young Ambrose left the farm to join his brother in Kingston, Ontario, teaching music.
In 1863, Ambrose moved to Hamilton to take up a position as organist and choir director for the Church of the Ascension.
In 1876, Ambrose's composition "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" was published, the lyrics having been written by Phoebe Cary.
One account states that upon hearing a hummed version of the hymn, a gambler immediately set down his cards and became a reformed Christian.
[1] By the time of his death on March 31, 1908, Ambrose had composed 80 songs, 14 part-songs and 25 instrumental pieces.