Inward Religion

Religion is the chief concern

Author: John Fawcett
Published in 253 hymnals

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Representative Text

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

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

3 Let deep repentance, faith, and love
Be joined with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.

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

AMEN.

Source: The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal: official hymnal of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church #436

Author: John Fawcett

An orphan at the age of twelve, John Fawcett (b. Lidget Green, Yorkshire, England, 1740; d. Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, 1817) became apprenticed to a tailor and was largely self-educated. He was converted by the preaching of George Whitefield at the age of sixteen and began preaching soon thereafter. In 1765 Fawcett was called to a small, poor, Baptist country church in Wainsgate, Yorkshire. Seven years later he received a call from the large and influential Carter's Lane Church in London, England. Fawcett accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon. The day of departure came, and his family's belongings were loaded on carts, but the distraught congregation begged him to stay. In Singers and Songs of the Church (1869), Josiah Miller te… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Religion is the chief concern
Title: Inward Religion
Author: John Fawcett
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Religion is the chief concern. J. Fawcett. [Pure Religion desired.] Published in his Hymns, &c, 1782, No. 68, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "The Nature and Necessity of inward Religion." It is in common use in an abbreviated form, under the original opening line, and also as, "O may my heart, by grace renew'd."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #436

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The Cyber Hymnal #5761

The Sacred Harp #205

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The Sacred Harp #205

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