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