Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts


Isaac Watts is recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

His education led him to the pastorate of a large Independent Chapel in London, and he also found himself in the position of helping trainee preachers, despite poor health. Taking work as a private tutor, he lived with the non-conformist Hartopp family at Fleetwood House, Abney Park in Stoke Newington, and later in the household of Sir Thomas Abney and Lady Mary Abney at Theobalds, Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, and at their second residence, Abney House, Stoke Newington.

Though a non-conformist, Sir Thomas practised occasional conformity to the Church of England as necessitated by his being Lord Mayor of London 1700-01. Likewise, Isaac Watts held religious opinions that were more non-denominational or ecumenical than was at that time common for a non-conformist, having a greater interest in promoting education and scholarship, than preaching for any particular ministry.
... Show more
To be angry about trifles is mean and childish; to rage and be furious is brutish; and to maintain perpetual wrath is akin to the practice and temper of devils; but to prevent and suppress rising resentment is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.
topics: Anger  
0 likes
Then let these useless streams be stayed; wear native courage in your face.
topics: Courage  
0 likes
I would not change my blest estate for all the world calls good or great.
topics: Contentment  
0 likes
Roses grow on thorns and honey wears a sting.
topics: Contentment  
0 likes
Among all the accomplishments of youth there is none preferable to a decent and agreeable behavior among men, a modest freedom of speech, a soft and elegant manner of address, a graceful and lovely deportment, a cheerful gravity and good-humor, with a mind appearing ever serene under the ruffling accidents of human life.
0 likes
Preserve your conscience always soft and sensitive. If but one sin force its way into that tender part of the soul and dwell there, the road is paved for a thousand iniquities.
topics: Conscience , Sin  
0 likes
Were both the golden Indies mine, I'd give both Indies for a tear.
topics: Compassion  
0 likes
The child taught to believe any occurrence a good or evil omen, or any day of the week lucky, hath a wide inroad made upon the soundness of his understanding.
topics: Children , Education  
0 likes
When two or three sciences are pursued at the same time if one of them be dry, as logic, let another be more entertaining, to secure the mind from weariness.
topics: Cheerfulness  
0 likes
Learn good-humor, never to oppose without just reason; abate some degree of pride and moroseness.
topics: Cheerfulness  
0 likes
Satirists do expose their own ill nature.
topics: Character  
0 likes
In common discourse we denominate persons and things according to the major part of their character; he is to be called a wise man who has but few follies.
topics: Character , Wisdom  
0 likes
Talking over the things which you have read with your companions fixes them on the mind.
topics: Books , Reading  
0 likes
If a book has no index or good table of contents, it is very useful to make one as you are reading it.
topics: Books  
0 likes
As a man may be eating all day, and for want of digestion is never nourished, so these endless readers may cram themselves in vain with intellectual food.
topics: Books  
0 likes
Some persons believe everything that their kindred, their parents, and their tutors believe. The veneration and the love which they have for their ancestors incline them to swallow down all their opinions at once, without examining what truth or falsehood there is in them. Men take their principles by inheritance, and defend them as they would their estates, because they are born heirs to them.
topics: Apathy , Truth , Parents  
0 likes
A hermit who has been shut up in his cell in a college has contracted a sort of mould and rust upon his soul.
topics: Apathy  
0 likes
The very substance which last week was grazing in the field, waving in the milk pail, or growing in the garden, is now become part of the man.
topics: Animals  
0 likes
In the Garden I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses. Refrain And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. He speaks, and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing. Refrain I’d stay in the garden with Him Though the night around me be falling, But He bids me go through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling. Refrain
0 likes
Abide with Us, Our Savior Author: Joshua Stegmann Abide with us, our Savior, Nor let Thy mercy cease From Satan’s might defend us, And grant our souls release. Abide with us, our Savior, Sustain us by Thy Word, That we may, now and ever, Find peace in Thee, O Lord. Abide with us, our Savior, Thou light of endless light Increase to us Thy blessings, And save us by Thy might.
0 likes

Group of Brands