John Fawcett

John Fawcett
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Short Name: John Fawcett
Full Name: Fawcett, John, 1740-1817
Birth Year: 1740
Death Year: 1817

An orphan at the age of twelve, John Fawcett (b. Lidget Green, Yorkshire, England, 1740; d. Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, 1817) became apprenticed to a tailor and was largely self-educated. He was converted by the preaching of George Whitefield at the age of sixteen and began preaching soon thereafter. In 1765 Fawcett was called to a small, poor, Baptist country church in Wainsgate, Yorkshire. Seven years later he received a call from the large and influential Carter's Lane Church in London, England. Fawcett accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon. The day of departure came, and his family's belongings were loaded on carts, but the distraught congregation begged him to stay. In Singers and Songs of the Church (1869), Josiah Miller tells the story associated with this text:

This favorite hymn is said to have been written in 1772, to commemorate the determination of its author to remain with his attached people at Wainsgate. The farewell sermon was preached, the wagons were loaded, when love and tears prevailed, and Dr. Fawcett sacrificed the attraction of a London pulpit to the affection of his poor but devoted flock.

Fawcett continued to serve in Wainsgate and in the nearby village of Hebden Bridge for the remainder of his active ministry.

Bert Polman
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Fawcett, John, D.D., was born Jan. 6, 1739 or 1740, at Lidget Green, near Bradford, Yorks. Converted at the age of sixteen under the ministry of G. Whitefield, he at first joined the Methodists, but three years later united with the Baptist Church at Bradford. Having begun to preach he was, in 1765, ordained Baptist minister at Wainsgate, near Hebden Bridge, Yorks. In 1772 he was invited to London, to succeed the celebrated Dr. J. Gill, as pastor of Carter's Lane; the invitation had been formally accepted, the farewell sermon at Wainsgate had been preached and the wagons loaded with his goods for removal, when the love and tears of his attached people prevailed and he decided to remain. In 1777 a new chapel was built for him at Hebden Bridge, and about the same time he opened a school at Brearley Hall, his place of residence. In 1793 he was invited to become President of the Baptist Academy at Bristol, but declined. In 1811 he received from America the degree of D.D., and died in 1817, at the age of 78. Dr. Fawcett was the author of a number of prose works on Practical Religion, several of which attained a large circulation. His poetical publications are:—

(1) Poetic Essays, 1767; (2) The Christian's Humble Plea, a Poem, in answer to Dr. Priestley against the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1772; (3) Three hymns, in the Gospel Magazine, 1777; (4) The Death of Eumenio, a Divine Poem, 1779; (5) Another poem, suggested by the decease of a friend, The Reign of Death, 1780; and (6) Hymns adapted to the circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion, Leeds, G. Wright & Son. 1782. They are 166 in number, and were mostly composed to be sung after sermons by the author.

Whilst not attaining a high degree of excellence as poetry, they are "eminently spiritual and practical," and a number of them are found in all the Baptist and Congregational hymn-books that have appeared during the last 100 years. The best known of these are, “Infinite excellence is Thine;" "How precious is the Book divine;" "Thus far my God hath led me on;" "Religion is the chief concern;" "Blest be the tie that binds;" “I my Ebenezer raise;" and "Praise to Thee, Thou great Creator." These hymns, together with others by Fawcett, are annotated under their respective first lines. [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.]

In addition the following hymns, also by Fawcett, but of less importance, are in common use:

1. Behold the sin-atoning Lamb. Passiontide. No. 60 of his Hymns, 1782, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. In several hymnals in Great Britain and America.
2. I my Ebenezer raise. Birthday. No. 102 of his Hymns, in 10 stanzas of 4 lines. Usually given in an abbreviated form.
3. Infinite excellence is Thine. Jesus the Desire of Nations. No. 42 of his Hymns, in 12 stanzas of 4 lines. In several hymn-books in Great Britain and America in an abridged form.
4. Jesus, the heavenly Lover, gave. Redemption in Christ. No. 10 of his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed, "The marriage between Christ and the Soul." In Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory, 1872, it reads, “Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom, gave," and stanza v. is omitted.
5. Lord, hast Thou made me know Thy ways? Perseverance. No. 122 of his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 8 stanza of 4 lines. In the Baptist Hymnal, 1879, No. 451, stanzas iv.-vii. are omitted.
6. 0 God, my Helper, ever near. New Year. No. 108 of his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. The New Congregational Hymn Book, 1859-69 omits st. vi.
7. 0, my soul, what means this sadness? Sorrow turned to Joy. No. 111 of his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 5 stanzas of 6 lines, and based upon the words, "Why art Thou cast down, O my soul?" &c. It is in common use in America, and usually with the omission of stanza ii. as in Dr. Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872.
8. Sinners, the voice of God regard. Invitation to Repentance. No. 63 of his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines on Isaiah lv. 7, "Let the wicked forsake his way," &c. It is in common use in America, but usually in an abbreviated form.
9. Thy presence, gracious God, afford. Before Sermon. No 165 in his Hymns, &c., in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, and a chorus of two lines. In Dr. Hatfield's Church Hymnbook, 1872, No. 126, the chorus is omitted. Fawcett has another hymn on the same subject (No. 79) and beginning, "Thy blessing, gracious God, afford," but this is not in common use.
10. Thy way, 0 God, is in the sea. Imperfect Knowledge of God. No. 66 in his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines on 1 Corinthians xiii. 9, "We know in part," &c. It is in several American collections, usually abbreviated, and sometimes as, "Thy way, O Lord, is in the sea." In this form it is in The Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858, &c.
11. With humble heart and tongue. Prayer for Guidance in Youth. No. 86 in his Hymns, &c., 1782, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines on Psalms cxix. 9. "Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way." It is No. 954 in the Baptist Psalms and Hymns, 1858-80.

About 20 of Fawcett's hymns are thus still in common use. Two hymns which have been ascribed to him from time to time, but concerning which there are some doubts, are fully annotated under their respective first lines. These are," Humble souls that seek salvation," and "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing."

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Wikipedia Biography

John Fawcett (6 January 1739 – 25 July 1817) was a British-born Baptist theologian, pastor and hymn writer.

Texts by John Fawcett (111)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
A crumb of mercy, Lord, I craveFawcett (Author)2
A fulness resides In Jesus our headFawcett (Author)English9
Afflicted saint, to Christ draw nearFawcett (Author)English110
Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear thy Savior'sJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Ampodio izahay, JehovahJohn Fawcett (Author)Malagasy2
As strangers here belowJohn Fawcett (Author)English6
Awake, awake, O drowsy soulJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Before our Father's throneJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Behold, the sin atoning LambJohn Fawcett (Author)English62
Behold what condescending loveJohn Fawcett (Author)English2
Benditos laços sãoJohn Fawcett (Author)Portuguese2
Benditos lazos sonJohn Fawcett (Author)Spanish2
Béni soit le lienJohn Fawcett (Author)French1
Bless, O Lord! the opening yearJohn Fawcett (Author)English8
Blest be the tie that bindsRev. John Fawcett (Author)English1917
Children of God renounce your fearJohn Fawcett (Author)1
Com a paz vem despedir-nosJohn Fawcett (Author (attributed to))Portuguese2
ദൈവമേ നിൻ സ്നേഹത്തോടെ (Daivamē nin snēhattēāṭe)John Fawcett (Author)Malayalam2
De trognas syskonbandJ. Fawcett (Author)2
Depraved minds on ashes feedJohn Fawcett (Author)English18
Dios, bendícenos al irnosJohn Fawcett, 1740-1817 (Author)Spanish2
Du stridshop, vaksam staJohn Fawcett (Author)2
E ke Akua, e ho'oku'u oe ia makouJohn Fawcett (Author)Hawaiian2
Fantastic delights no more we desireJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Father, source of all compassionJohn Fawcett (Author)2
福哉,愛的捆綁 (Fú zāi, ài de kǔnbǎng)John Fawcett (Author)Chinese2
Gently, Lord, O gently lead us, Through this lonely vale of tearsFawcett (Author)English3
Gesegnet Band, das bind't der Christen HerzJohn Fawcett (Author)German2
Gesegnet immerdar sei uns der Liebe BandJohn Fawcett (Author)German3
Gesegnet ist das Band, das unser Herz umschlingJohn Fawcett (Author)German3
Gesegnet sei das Band, Das uns im Herrn vereintJ. Fawcett (Author)German19
Great God, thy waiting servants blessFawcett (Author)2
Great God, with heart and tongueJohn Fawcett (Author)16
Gud velsign os nu vi skillesJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Happy souls, who feel salvationJohn Fawcett (Author)English2
Hark! the voice of love and mercyFawcett (Author)English1
Haste, O sinner! to be wiseFawcett (Author)English2
Herr, entlass uns mit dein'm SegenJohn Fawcett (Author)German2
Herr, entlass uns mit dem SegenJohn Fawcett (Author)German7
Herre, oss enhvar välsignaJohn Fawcett (Author)Swedish2
How did the powers of darkness rageJohn Fawcett (Author)English6
How feeble human efforts proveJohn Fawcett (Author)2
How precious is the book divineJohn Fawcett (Author)English482
How vast the blessings, how divine, From godlinessFawcett (Author)8
Humble souls, who seek salvationJohn Fawcett (Author)English97
I my Ebenezer raiseJohn Fawcett (Author)English36
Infinite excellence is ThineJohn Fawcett (Author)English82
Jesus has shed his vital bloodJohn Fawcett (Author)5
Jesus, the heavenly lover, gaveFawcett (Author)English28
Jesus, thou art the living breadJohn Fawcett (Author)6
Kibarikiwe kifungoJohn Fawcett (Author)Swahili1
ക്രിസ്തു-വിന്‍ സ്നേ-ഹത്തില്‍ ചിത്ത-ങ്ങളിന്‍ ബന്ധം (Kristu-vin snē-hattil citta-ṅṅaḷin bandhaṁ)John Fawcett (Author)Malayalam2
Let me, my Savior and my GodJohn Fawcett (Author)14
Ljuft k'rleksbandet 'rJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Look from on high great God and seeJohn Fawcett (Author)15
Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing, Fill our hearts with joy and peaceJ. Fawcett (Author)English658
Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing, Hope and comfort from aboveJohn Fawcett (Author)English27
Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing, Bid us now depart in peaceJohn Fawcett (Author)English2
Lord, hast thou made me know thy waysJohn Fawcett (Author)English21
Nani ka paa o ka naauJohn Fawcett (Author)Hawaiian2
Nani kealoha i pa'aJohn Fawcett, 1740-1817 (Author)Hawaiian2
Now he who turns to God shall liveJohn Fawcett (Author)3
Now in my early daysJohn Fawcett (Author)9
O could I speak the matchless worthJohn Fawcett (Author)English2
O God, my Helper, ever nearJohn Fawcett (Author)3
O min sj'l, st'm in i sangenJohn Fawcett (Author)4
O my soul, what means this sadnessJohn Fawcett (Author)English140
O 'tis a sweet employFawcett (Author)5
Odakota waṡteJohn Fawcett (Author)Dakota1
O may my heart, by grace renewedJohn Fawcett (Author)14
Our sins on Christ were laidJohn Fawcett (Author)English34
Parent of good, Thy works of mightJohn Fawcett (Author)18
Parent, Protector, Guardian, GuideJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore HimJ. Fawcet (Author)English1
Praise to God, the great Creator, Bounteous source of every joyFawcett (Author)English3
Praise to Thee, Thou great creatorJohn Fawcett (Author)English209
Religion is the chief concernJohn Fawcett (Author)English196
Sagrado es el amor John Fawcett (Author)Spanish25
Sinners, the voice of God regardJohn Fawcett (Author)English218
Sinners, this solemn truth regardJ. Fawcett (Author)English4
Thanks we give, and adorationJohn Fawcett (Author)1
The cause is too hard for meJohn Fawcett (Author)2
The cause that is for me too hardJohn Fawcett (Author)English11
The God of grace will never leaveJohn Fawcett (Author)5
The God of love will sure indulgeFawcett (Author)English6
The short lived day declines in hasteJohn Fawcett (Author)English10
The Word reveals a Savior's graceJohn Fawcett (Author)3
Thou Coming One, our wants relieveJohn Fawcett (Author)6
Thou dearest object of my loveJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Thou, God of mercy, wilt indulgeJohn Fawcett (Author)6
Thou who dost my life prolongJohn Fawcett (Author)English4
Through this wide [wild] wilderness I roamJohn Fawcett (Author)13
Thus far my God hath led me onFawcett (Author)English60
Thus far the Lord has led me onFawcett (Author)English1
Thy presence, gracious God, affordJohn Fawcett (Author)English115
Thy way is in the seaJohn Fawcett (Author)English14
Thy way, O God, is in the seaJohn Fawcett (Author)English114
Ti timpuyogtayoJohn Fawcett (Author)Tagalog2
طوبى لإخوانJohn Fawcett (Author)Arabic1
Unbound loveliness is thineJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Unthinking mortals ye must dieJohn Fawcett (Author)4
Velsignet er det BaandJohn Fawcett (Author)4
What scenes of horror and of dreadFawcett (Author)English44
When dangers, woes, or death are nighJohn Fawcett (Author)5
When God's own people stand in needJohn Fawcett (Author)English13
Wie köstlich ist das heil'ge WortJohn Fawcett (Author)German2
With humble heart and tongueJohn Fawcett (Author)English102
With melting heart and weeping eyesFawcett (Author)English34
With sacred joy our souls surveyJohn Fawcett (Author)2
Ya despídenos, Dios nuestroJohn Fawcett (Ascrito a)Spanish2
Ye servants of God! Your Master proclaimJohn Fawcett (Author)English1

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