Father, how wide Thy glory shines. J. Watts. [Glory of God and Salvation of Men.] First published in his Horae Lyricae, 1705, in 9 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "God glorious and Sinners saved," As early as 1738-1741 J. Wesley included it in an abbreviated form in his Psalms & Hymns, and it was subsequently given about 1800, in the Wesleyan Hymn Book. Its early use in the Church of England was furthered by E. Conyers, De Courcy, A. M. Toplady, and others. Its use, but usually in an abbreviated form, is extensive in Great Britain and America. Full original text in modern editions of the Horae Lyricae, and Watts's Works.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
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