How few receive with cordial faith. W. Robertson. [Passiontide.] First appeared as No. 6 in the Draft Scottish Translations & Paraphrases, 1745, as a version of Is. liii. in 16 stanzas of 4 lines. In the revised edition, 1751, stanzas viii., x., xii. were slightly altered. In the Draft of 1781, No. 25, it was considerably altered; and with further alterations this was repeated in the public worship edition of that year which is still in common use in the Church of Scotland. In the markings by the eldest daughter of W. Cameron (q.v.), the original is ascribed to W. Robertson, and the alterations in 1781 to John Logan. The revised text of 1781 is included in full in the English Presbyterian Psalms & Hymns, 1867, as two hymns, No. 170 beginning as, above, and 171 as "We all like sheep have gone astray." In addition the following centos are in common use:—
1. The Saviour comes [came], no outward pomp. In Murray’s Hymnal, 1852; the Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858; Kennedy, 1863, and others in Great Britain and America.
2. Rejected and despised of men. In the Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858, &c.
3. Fair as a beauteous, tender flower. In Hymns from the Parish Choir, 1854.
In addition, Miss Leeson published an altered form of the hymn in 9 stanzas in her Paraphrases & Hymns for Congregational Singing, 1853, as pt. i.," Who hath believed the Witness-Word?"; and pt. ii., "We counted as condemned of heaven." Compare also Watts's Hymns, 1709, Book i., Nos. 141-2. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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