BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS

John Fawcett (1740-1817) was born of poor parents in Lidget Green, Yorkshire, England. He was converted to Christ at the age of sixteen through the ministry of George Whitefield. At twenty-six, he was ordained as a Baptist minister and accepted a call to pastor a small and impoverished congregation at Wainsgate in Northern England. After spending several years at Wainsgate where his salary was meager and his family growing, he received a call to succeed the well-known Dr. Gill to minister in a large and influential Cater's Lane Baptist Church in London. During the day of departure, with the saddened parishioners gathered around the wagons, Mrs. Fawcett finally broke down and said, "John, I cannot bear to leave. I know not how to go!" "Nor can I either," said the saddened pastor. The order was soon given to unpack the bags and they stayed at Wainsgate. During one of his ensuing sermons, the pastor shared this hymn text with his congregation. It was printed in 1782 in a collection of 166 of Fawcett's poems and was titled "Brotherly Love". Fawcett continued to minister at Wainsgate for fifty years never receiving a salary of more than $200 per year. However, he became a scholar and an author and in 1811, Brown University conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity Degree. A paralytic stroke caused his death in 1817. This is another hymn that continues to be sung almost two centuries after its writings. It has often been sung at the close of services or camp meetings or at other times of departures. But it is always a sound reminder of the deep bond that should be shared by brothers and sisters in Christ, especially as we share our burdens, our fears and our hopes. Most hymnals include just the first four verses, but I am sharing all six that Fawcett actually wrote.

(1) Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

(2) Before our Father's throne

We pour our ardent prayers;

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one

Our comforts and our cares.

(3) We share each other's woes,

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.

(4) When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;

But we shall still be joined in heart,

And hope to meet again.

(5) This glorious hope revives

Our courage by the way;

While each in expectation lives,

And longs to see the day.

(6) From sorrow, toil and pain,

And sin, we shall be free,

And perfect love and friendship reign

Through all eternity.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME

Over the years thousands have been touched by the music of the blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. We could spend several years just blogging about her many writings. Actually, her early writings were secular, but through the influence of a well-known church musician, W. B. Bradbury, she began, in her early forties, to write gospel song lyrics in earnest and she became the "happiest creature in all the land." It is said that she never wrote a hymn text without first kneeling in prayer and asking for divine guidance. It is reported that one day she desperately needed five dollars and did not know where the money would come from. As was her custom, she began to pray about the matter. Within a few minutes a stranger appeared at her door with just the right amount. "I have no way of accounting for this," she wrote, "except to believe that God, in answer to my prayer, put it in the heart of this good man to bring the money. My first thought was, it is so wonderful the way the Lord leads me." She immediately wrote the words for this week's hymn. Her friend, Dr. Robert Lowry then put it to music and for years it has been the wonderful testimony of many believers. Is this your testimony? What a joy to know that the creator of the universe cares enough for each believer to provide daily guidance and direction. I wonder, after having experienced His provision, why we still worry and fret about tomorrow.

(1) All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

(2) All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread;

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living Bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see;

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! A spring of joy I see.

(3) All the way my Savior leads me

O the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages—

Jesus led me all the way;

This my song through endless ages—

Jesus led me all the way.

Listen to this great hymn here. LISTEN

Here is another rendition, a beautiful piano solo. PIANO

JESUS THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE

Down through the ages many great hymns have been written. Many of them have survived the centuries and decades and still minister to people today. This week's choice comes from the height of the Middle Ages, the period of history often called "The Dark Ages." The spiritual and moral darkness of the church had reached a new blackness. The institution founded by Christ some 1,000 years prior was mainly degenerate and corrupt. The moral standards of many of its prominent leaders were characterized by disgrace and shame. Yet within this system of religious confusion, God laid it upon the heart of a dedicated monk, Bernard of Clairvaux (1091- 1153) to write a devotional poem about his Lord. At an early age Bernard was known for his piety and scholarship. With his natural charms and talents, he had many opportunities open to him for a successful secular life. While still in his early 20s, however, he chose the life of a monk at the monastery of Citeaux, France. Within three years Bernard's forceful personality, talents, and leadership qualities were recognized, and he was asked to form other branches of this order throughout Europe. Within Bernard's lifetime, 162 other such orders were founded. One of these new monasteries was at Clairvaux, France, where Bernard was made its abbot. He remained there until his death in 1153. The English Translation of this hymn is attributed to Edward Caswall, (1814–1876). Meditate upon these great words this week which call us to love and worship Jesus, our hope and our only joy. Does the very thought of Him fill you with sweetness?

1. Jesus, the very thought of Thee

With sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far Thy face to see

And in Thy presence rest.

2. No voice can sing, no heart can frame,

Nor can the memory find

A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,

O Savior of mankind.

3. O hope of every contrite heart,

O joy of all the meek,

To those who fall, how kind Thou art!

How good to those who seek!

4. But what to those who find? Ah, this

Nor tongue or pen can show;

The love of Jesus, what it is

None but His loved ones know.

5. Jesus, our only joy be Thou,

As Thou our prize wilt be;

Jesus, be Thou our glory now

And thru eternity.

Listen to this hymn here. LISTEN

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU

We all face times of diffculty and concern. There are times that we fret about our circumstances our future and we feel all alone. Nobody seems to care. It's at times like this that we need to be reminded that somebody does care and that God will take care of us, no matter what may be the test or challenge. He is the only one who knows our present and our tomorrows. He will never leave us even when those closest to us do so. This week's popular hymn of spiritual encouragement was written, in 1904, by Mr. and Mrs. Stillman Martin. It was composed while the Martins were spending several weeks as guests at the Practical Bible Training School at Lestershire, New York, where Mr. Martin was involved in helping the president of the school, John A. Davis, prepare a songbook. The Reverend W. Stillman Martin, a well-known Baptist evangelist, was invited to preach at a church some distance from the Bible school. That Sunday morning, Mrs. Martin became suddenly ill, making it impossible for her to accompany her husband to his preaching engagement. Mr. Martin seriously considered cancelling his speaking assignment, since it would be needful for him to be gone from her for a considerable time. Just then, however, their young son spoke up and said, "Father, don't you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?" Agreeing, Mr. Martin kept his preaching appointment, and the service proved to be unusually blessed of God, with several people professing Christ as Savior as a result of the sermon. Returning later that evening, Mr. Martin found his wife greatly improved in health, and, while he was gone, she had been busily engaged in preparing a new hymn text, inspired by the chance remark of their young son earlier that day. That same evening, Stillman Martin composed the music for his wife's words just as they are still sung today. The next year, this hymn appeared in a collection, Songs of Redemption and Praise, compiled for the school by W. S. Martin and President John Davis. "God Will Take Care of You" soon became a favorite hymn of Christian people everywhere. May this great hymn encourage you this week.

(1) Be not dismayed whate'er betide,

God will take care of you;

beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

through every day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

(2) Through days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you;

when dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

through every day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

(3) All you may need He will provide,

God will take care of you;

nothing you ask will be denied,

God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

through every day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

(4) No matter what may be the test,

God will take care of you;

lean, weary one, upon his breast,

God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

through every day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

Listen to this hymn here. LISTEN

THE OLD ACCOUNT WAS SETTLED

I have always enjoyed male quartets and some of the old quartet music brings back memories of the many concerts we used to attend. The Blackwoods, Cathedrals, Statesmen, and Couriers were among my favorites. Some of those old quartet numbers even made it into hymnbooks and were sung by many congregations. This week's choice was one of those. It was written in 1902 by Frank Graham who was an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church. He served as District Superintendent in northern Georgia from around 1895 to about 1915. He was also one of the founders of what is now Southern Wesleyan University at Central South Carolina. The song is a description of the legal transaction that takes place in heaven when a sinner trusts in the Saviour as his only means of salvation. The Bible says, "He [God the Father] made Him [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21). Think of a great account book on which all of our sins are listed as a debt we owe. But it is as though our debt was transferred to Christ's account, and He paid that debt in full on the cross. And, as the above verse indicates, at the same time God more than cancels our debt when we trust Christ as Saviour. He credits our account with the perfect righteousness of His dear Son. Hopefully this is your testimony.

(1) There was a time on earth, when in the book of Heav'n

An old account was standing for sins yet unforgiv'n;

My name was at the top, and many things below,

I went unto the Keeper, and settled long ago.

Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),

Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);

And the record's clear today, for He washed my sins away,

When the old account was settled long ago.

(2) The old account was large, and growing every day,

For I was always sinning, and never tried to pay;

But when I looked ahead, and saw such pain and woe,

I said that I would settle, I settled long ago.

Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),

Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);

And the record's clear today, for He washed my sins away,

When the old account was settled long ago.

(3) When in that happy home, my Savior's home above,

I'll sing redemption's story, and praise Him for His love;

I'll not forget that book, with pages white as snow,

Because I came and settled, and settled long ago.

Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),

Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);

And the record's clear today, for He washed my sins away,

When the old account was settled long ago.

(4) O sinner, trust the Lord, be cleansed of all your sin,

For thus He hath provided for you to enter in;

And then if you should live a hundred years below,

Up there you'll not regret it, you settled long ago.

Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),

Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);

And the record's clear today, for He washed my sins away,

When the old account was settled long ago.

Listen to a great rendition of this week's choice here. LISTEN.

BLESSED ASSURANCE

All of us have enjoyed and have been touched by the many words written by the great blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby. The themes for her hymns were often suggested by visiting ministers who wished to have a new song on a particular subject. It is amazing that, especially for a blind person, someone could write on this variety of spiritual truths and experiences with such proliferation. For a considerable period during her life, while under contract to a music publisher, she wrote three new hymns each week. She used over 200 pen names. Many of her original texts are still being uncovered and perhaps might be found and published in the future. About 500 of her hymns were accompanied by the music of an amateur musician, Mrs. Phoebe Knapp, the wife of the second president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She attended the same church as Fanny and kept a pipe organ in her apartment to help her compose. One day Fanny was visiting her friend Phoebe as the Knapp home was having the large pipe organ installed. The organ was incomplete so, using the piano, Phoebe played a new melody she had just composed. "What do you think the tune says?" she asked. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby. And with that inspiration, Fanny penned the words of this great hymn of testimony which is still being sung today in many churches. And what a powerful message it contains. We have the assurance that Jesus is ours and His praise should be on our lips all day long. I also marvel at how a blind person can talk about sight as she does with the phrase "Visions of rapture now burst on my sight." Then later she says that she is "watching and waiting, and looking above". Then she ends with the testimony "filled with His goodness, lost in His love". What a joy to have this blessed assurance in your life, that Jesus, your Savior, is yours for eternity.

(1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

(2) Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

(3) Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Listen to it here. LISTEN

A CHILD OF THE KING

Do you sometimes feel sorry for yourself when you wish that you had more of this world's material goods? Do you wish that you would inherit wealth and possessions? How often we feel sorry for our situation in life and we fail to remember the great inheritance that we have from our heavenly Father because of His great grace to us. Meditating on the evidence of God's grace to her, Harriett Buell, a native of New York state, wrote the words for "I'm A Child of the King" as she walked home from church one Sunday. The lyrics were published in the Northern Christian Advocate in February 1877, and were noticed by John Sumner, a music teacher. Sumner had been praying for a Gospel song to replace the one that would have been written by his friend and teacher Philip Bliss, who had recently suffered an untimely death in a train accident. When Sumner saw these words, he knew his prayer had been answered. He quickly composed music for the lyrics without Mrs. Buell's knowledge, so we can imagine her surprise at hearing her poem sung publicly when she attended a Sunday night service in Manlius, New York. Our position as a "child of the King" is solely a result of God's absolute grace. It is neither initiated nor kept because of any of our actions. But in gratitude for our gracious adoption into the King's family, we should sing, "All glory to God, I'm a child of the King!" This hymn is another one from the hymnbook that we used when our church was begun 60 years ago. As you meditate and sing these words, thank your heavenly Father for the riches He has graciously provided for you.

(1) My Father is rich in houses and lands,

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,

His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King,

A child of the King:

With Jesus my Savior,

I'm a child of the King.

(2) My Father's own Son, the Savior of men,

Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;

But now He is pleading our pardon on high,

That we may be His when He comes by and by.

I'm a child of the King,

A child of the King:

With Jesus my Savior,

I'm a child of the King.

(3) I once was an outcast stranger on earth,

A sinner by choice, an alien by birth,

But I've been adopted, my name's written down,

An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.

I'm a child of the King,

A child of the King:

With Jesus my Savior,

I'm a child of the King.

(4) A tent or a cottage, why should I care?

They're building a palace for me over there;

Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:

All glory to God, I'm a child of the King.

I'm a child of the King,

A child of the King:

With Jesus my Savior,

I'm a child of the King.

Listen to it here. LISTEN