The importance of inward religion

The following hymn by English Baptist minister John Fawcett was published in 1782 in Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion (Leeds: G. Wright and Son, pages 128-130). Fawcett is likely best-known as the writer of “Blest be the tie that binds.” In one song book we used in the church where I grew up (Favorite Songs and Hymns, No. 218), this hymn was paired with the tune Mear, (which is a quite common pairing). From that experience, I like to sing it with that tune, but it also goes well with other common meter tunes. In this book, under the tune name appeared this note, “The importance of Religion.—Phil. 3:8.” There Mear was credited as a “Welsh Air.” It is similar to Middlesex in A Sett of Tunes in 3 Parts…By Various Hands, placed within Simon Browne’s hymn book, Hymns and Spiritual Songs in Three Books (London: Eman. Matthews). The Sacred Harp setting of the tune can be found on 49b. This tune is sometimes credited to Aaron Williams (1731- 1776), an English singing teacher, music engraver, and church clerk. Perhaps he arranged it in its more modern or common setting.

The original hymn has 8 stanzas of common meter, but many hymnals reduce the number to 6 or less.

HYMN LXVIII. C. M.

The Nature and Necessity of inward Religion.

Jam. i. 29. (sic, typographical error, should be 27)

1. Religion is the chief concern,
Of mortals here below:
May I its great importance learn,
Its sov’reign virtue know!

2. More need this, than glitt’ring wealth,

Or ought the world bestows,

Not reputation, food, or health,

Can give us such repose.

3. Religion should our thoughts engage,

Amidst our youthful bloom;

’Twill fit us fro declining age,

Or for the awful tomb.

4. Be this my steady care, and strife,

To witness all its power,

’Twill be my best support in life,

And chear my dying hour.

5. O may my heart, by grace renewed,
Be my Redeemer’s throne;
And be my stubborn will subdued,
His government to own!

6. Let deep repentance, faith, and love
Be join’d with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove,
My heart to be sincere.

7. Preserve me from the snares of sin,

Thro’ my remaining days;

And in me let each virtue shine,

To my Redeemer’s praise.

8. Let lively hope my soul inspire;
Let warm affections rise;
And may I wait with strong desire
To mount above the skies.