This hymn is often sung at weddings to celebrate the bond between a man and his bride. “Blest be the tie that binds” is in fact a celebration of the close bond between Christian and Christian, and more particularly between pastor and his people—read these words in all these applications, and I think it will be a sanctifying rebuke. In 1772, John Fawcett was invited to London to succeed Dr. John Gill as pastor of the Carter’s Lane Baptist Church. He accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon, packed his books and furniture and was ready to go. As he left Wainsgate his parishioners were gathered around him in tears begging him to stay. His wife said, “Oh John, John, I cannot bear this.” “Neither can I,” he said, “and we will not go. Unload the wagons and put everything as it was before.”
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. John Fawcett (1740–1817)
Fawcett was converted at age 16 under the ministry of George Whitefield (preaching on John 3:14). At first he joined the Methodists, but three years later began attending the Baptist Church in Bradford, England. He was ordained a Baptist minister at Wainsgate, Yorkshire.
IIn 1772, he was invited to London to succeed Dr. John Gill as pastor of the Carter’s Lane Baptist Church. On the day of his departure, he had preached his farewell sermon, the wagons were loaded, and he was ready to go. But he was so overcome by the thought of leaving the congregation he had come to love, that he canceled his plans and stayed in Wainsgate. In 1793, Fawcett was invited to become president of the Baptist Academy in Bristol, but he similarly declined.
This both moved and educated me, to know that a Theologian I’ve studied, was to be replaced by another who was loved this much by his congregation. Very informative Aaron, John Gill is someone I doctrinally agree with. A Particular Baptist, Calvinist and Credo Baptist. John Fawcett I know less about but wish I knew him as well as his congregation did.