Inward Religion

Author: John Fawcett

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 te… Go to person page >

Religion is the chief concern. J. Fawcett. [Pure Religion desired.] Published in his Hymns, &c, 1782, No. 68, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "The Nature and Necessity of inward Religion." It is in common use in an abbreviated form, under the original opening line, and also as, "O may my heart, by grace renew'd."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)