February 25, 2005

Blest Be the Tie that Binds

John Fawcett, 1740-1817

    He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:9-11.

    Fawcett was converted at age 16 under the ministry of George Whitefield. He at first joined the Methodists, but three years later began attending the Baptist Church in Bradford, England. Having begun to preach, he was ordained a Baptist minister at Wainsgate, Yorkshire.
    In 1772, he was invited to London to succeed J. Gill as pastor of the Carter’s Lane Baptist Church. On the day of his departure, he had preached his farewell sermon, and was ready to go. The wagons were loaded with his books and furniture, and all was ready for the departure, when his parishioners gathered around him, and with tears in their eyes begged of him to stay. His wife said, “Oh John, John, I cannot bear this.” “Neither can I,” exclaimed the good pastor, “and we will not go. Unload the wagons and put everything as it was before.” His decision was hailed with great joy by his people, and he wrote the words of this hymn in commemoration of the event.
    In 1793, Fawcett was invited to become president of the Baptist Academy in Bristol, but he similarly declined.
    In 1811, Fawcett received a Doctor of Divinity degree from an American school.

    Other hymns by John Fawcett include:

• Behold the Sin Atoning Lamb
• Blest Be the Tie That Binds
• How Precious Is the Book Divine
• Humble Souls That Seek Salvation
• I My Ebenezer Raise
• Infinite Excellence Is Thine
• Jesus, the Heavenly Lover, Gave
• Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
• Lord, Hast Thou Made Me Know Thy Ways?
• O God, My Helper, Ever Near
• O, My Soul, What Means This Sadness?
• Sinners, the Voice of God Regard
• Thy Presence, Gracious God, Afford
• Thy Way, God, Is in the Sea
• With Humble Heart and Tongue

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s 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.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.