Newton's soul. He broke down completely, and became a changed man. In the course of time he began to study for the ministry to which his praying mother had devoted him, and in 1764 was ordained and became curate of Olney. It was while at Olney that Newton proposed to Cowper that they should join in writing a volume of hymns, first, for the purpose of promoting the faith and comfort of sincere Christians; and second, that it might be a monument to perpetuate the remembrance of an intimate and endeared friendship. The volume was published in 1779, and became known as Olney Hymns. It attained a surprising popularity throughout Great Britain, partly because the hymns of Cowper were read with peculiar and increasing interest; and partly perhaps because the book was unique, being the first collection of original hymns published by a priest of the Church of England. Of the three hundred and forty-nine hymns in the volume, Cowper is credited with sixty-six, and the others are the compositions of Newton. While Newton has probably not written anything that will endure like some of the hymns of his friend Cowper, he has given the Church a few admirable songs which are still in popular use. Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken, is a dignified ascription of praise. Safely Through another Week, is a beautiful hymn for Sabbath morning, and is found in nearly all hymnals. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, is so full of heart-felt gratitude, and has such an exuberant overflow of soul-enthusiasm for Christ, that it has been accepted by the Church universal. But like all other prolific hymnwriters before and since his time, Newton wrote too much for his own fame. Newton remained at St. Mary Woolnoth till his death in 1807. He was a remarkably successful priest. He was the means of the conversion of Claudius Buchanan, the missionary who poured such a flood of gospel light on the East Indies. Thomas Scott, the renowned commentator, was also among Newton's trophies. A XII. Blest be the Tie that Binds. MONG the world's best hymns is that delightful expression of Christian fellowship and love, Blest be the Tie that Binds. It is the masterpiece of the Rev. John Fawcett, D. D., born at Lidget Green, near Bradford, England, in 1739. He was eleven years old when his father died, and the mother and several children being left in straitened circumstances, John was placed under the care of a London tradesman at the age of thirteen, the apprenticeship to continue six years. He was sixteen when he heard Whitfield preach one of his marvelous sermons, and the occasion marked the beginning of young Fawcett's Christian life. Years afterwards, in writing of the event, he said: "As long as life remains I shall remember both the text and the sermon." George Whitfield did not perpetuate his influence by writing any hymns, but, as the late Rev. E. M. Long suggests, the great preacher was the means of the conversion of some hymn-writers who, after the passing of a century, are still shaping the destiny of human souls. Three years before Fawcett was converted, another young tradesman of London, Robert Robinson, a hair-dresser, was convicted of sin under the magic power of Whitfield, and many years later, and when in the golden days of his Christian experience, he wrote the popular hymn, Come Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy praise. Fawcett belonged to the Methodist Society for three years after his conversion, and then joined the Baptist Church at Bradford. Soon after the close of his apprenticeship he began to study for the ministry, and in due time was ordained pastor of the small Church at Wainsgate, and remained there until within a few months of his death, which occurred in 1817. In 1772 Fawcett was invited to London to preach in the pulpit made vacant by the death of the distinguished Dr. Gill. He made such a striking impression on the congregation that he received a call to the pastorate of the Church, which, without much delay, he decided to accept. Fawcett was no dreamer when he saw in the London Church a release from pinching poverty at Wainsgate, and a larger opportunity for his expanding capabilities. And so his farewell sermon was preached to his poor people, and his furniture and library were packed ready for removal to London. Neither Fawcett's Life and Letters, nor his Miscellaneous Writings, nor any of his published sermons, tell us how Blest be The Tie that Binds caught its inspiration. But the story has been current for at least a century that the people to whom his life had been a constant benediction, gathered about him, and in anguish of soul besought him not to leave them. The agony of separation was almost heart-breaking. Mrs. Fawcett, when sitting on one of the packing cases, was surrounded by women and children pleading for her to remain. Overcome by tears of love, she exclaimed: "John, I know not how to leave this people." And John Fawcett well nigh immortalized his name in the answer: "Neither can I leave them; we will stay here and serve the Lord lovingly together." The voice of human love never won a grander victory. Tradition says that within a week after this pathetic scene there came from the heart of Fawcett a hymn to commemorate his sacred pledge to the poor people at Wainsgate: Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love: Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers; We share our mutual woes; Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear. When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again, |
