On a bright day in April, 1796, Hans Nielsen Hauge was plowing on his father’s farm, singing at the same time a hymn in praise of Christ. He had just finished the second verse—“Strengthen me within that I may learn the Spirit’s power. Make me Thy prisoner in word and thought”—when he felt such an uplifting to God that he was hardly longer conscious. He left the plow and, going home, climbed to the loft where he was accustomed to sleep and lay down on his bed. “Nothing in the world seemed longer worthy of interest. There was a glory which … Continue reading “Hans Nielsen Hauge (1771-1824)”
Month: August 2017
The Tie that Binds
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 John Fawcett (1740-1817), the author of the following hymn, was converted at the age of sixteen under the ministry of George Whitefield (1714-1770). While pastoring a small Baptist Church in Wainsgate, England, he accepted a call to pastor a considerably larger church in London. When all his family’s earthly goods were being loaded for the move to London, many of the Fawcett’s parishioners were in tears. His wife went to her husband and lamented, “John, I cannot bear this.” “Neither can I,” responded her husband. … Continue reading “The Tie that Binds”