Every month we will look at a different hymn, it’s history, scriptural references and usages.

March, 2023 Hymn: Blessed Be the Tie that Binds

John Fawcett was born in Yorkshire, England in 1740. At the age of 12 he was orphaned and apprenticed to a tailor and there he expected to end his days. 4 years into his apprenticeship Fawcett went and heard George Whitfield preach. So moved was he the he himself began preaching shortly after and gained the attention of local churches. At the age of 25 he left the trade and took up a position at a poor country Baptist church in Wainsgate, Yorkshire.

Though largely self-educated, his grasp of the scriptures and his delivery soon got the attention of the churches around, and he often was called to fill in as a visiting preacher or even to teach at times. His reputation grew and 7 years later he received a call from Carter’s Lane Church in London, a large and very influential church at the time, to become their pastor. This was certainly a prestigious positing for not only one so young, but without the formal teachings or support from influential theologians. Nonetheless, Fawcett jumped at the chance.

The day of his departure came, and Fawcett went to deliver his final sermon at his little church. His family was packed, their baggage and household goods already loaded into carts in preparation for their departure and awaiting outside the church. In honor of his last day there, Fawcett had penned the hymn ‘Blessed Be the Tie that Binds’, for the love and fellowship that he had there. The sermon was given, the song was sung, the tears flew, the goodbyes began to be given and the Spirit started to move. For God did not need John Fawcett in London, God needed John Fawcett to stay right where he was. So with the prompting of the Spirit heavy on him, he left the church, gathered up his family, their baggage carts and household goods-and moved back into their little house that that very morning they had thought they had left for good.

That is where God wanted them, and that is where they stayed for the rest of John’s active ministry. Because when God says go, we go. When God says stay, we stay. We serve God, no matter where He wants us.

Lyrics/Text

1 Blest be the tie that binds 
our hearts in Christian love; 
the fellowship of kindred minds 
is like to that above. 

2 Before our Father’s throne 
we pour our ardent prayers; 
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
our comforts and our cares. 

3 We share our mutual woes, 
our mutual burdens bear, 
and often for each other flows 
the sympathizing tear. 

4 When we are called to part, 
it gives us inward pain; 
but we shall still be joined in heart, 
and hope to meet again. 

5 This glorious hope revives 
our courage by the way; 
while each in expectation lives 
and waits to see the day. 

6 From sorrow, toil, and pain, 
and sin, we shall be free; 
and perfect love and friendship reign 
through all eternity. 

Scripture References

Genesis 31:49
…and the pillar Mizpah, for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.

Revelation 21:4
…He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”

A Personal Note from Eric

Virginia and I have doe this a couple of times together, and we have used it in conjunction with live services at events when we are all together. This particular arrangement is about as simple as we can get and still give the feel of a group sing. With no musical accompaniment but the 4 part harmonies this is what we envision it must have sounded like on that Sunday in 1772 at the little country church in Wainsgate. We hope you enjoy.