When he was breathing his last, he
called for the Earl of Warwick and exclaimed: "See in what peace a
Christian can die!"

The hymns of Addison and Bishop Ken may be regarded as the heralds of a
new day in the worship of the Reformed Church. While Addison was still
writing his essays and verses for the "Spectator," Isaac Watts, peer of
all English hymnists, was already tuning his lyre of many strings.
Psalmody was beginning to yield to hymnody.

The Pearl of English Hymnody

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown!

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts, 1707.

ISAAC WATTS, FATHER OF ENGLISH HYMNODY

By universal consent the title, "Father of English Hymnody," is bestowed
upon Isaac Watts. English hymns had been written before the time of
Watts, notably the beautiful classics of Ken and Addison; but it remained
for the genius of Watts to break the iron rule of psalmody in the
Reformed Church which had continued uninterrupted since the days of
Calvin.

Watts was born in Southampton, England, July 17, 1674. His father was a
"dissenter," and twice was imprisoned for his religious views. This was
during the time when Isaac was still a baby, and the mother often carried
the future poet in her arms when she went to visit her husband in prison.

When Isaac grew up, a wealthy man offered to give him a university
education if he would consent to become a minister in the Established
Church. This he refused to do, but prepared instead for the Independent
ministry.

Early in life young Watts had revealed signs of poetic genius. As a boy
of seven years he had amused his parents with his rhymes. As he grew
older he became impatient with the wretched paraphrases of the Psalms
then in use in the Reformed churches. These views were shared generally
by those who posse