Published: July 31, 2008 04:14 pm            

Hymns – 'We're Marching to Zion'

Isaac Watts was born on July 17, 1674, in Southampton, England. He was a great student in school. He had a gift of writing poetry and verse at a very young age in grammar school.

He was attending school in Southampton and had one of the best teachers available, Mr. Pinhorn. Pinhorn was Rector of All Saints Church and headmaster (principal) of the church school.

He took a special interest in Isaac because he showed such promise.

Isaac learned Hebrew, Greek and Latin under Mr. Pinhorn.

A local doctor and several friends of the family offered to pay for Isaac’s college education if he would promise to attend the local university and be ordained in the Church of England.

Isaac declined the offer and entered a Nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington in 1690.

He was befriended by the Rev. Thomas Rowe, who was one of the leaders that broke away from the Church of England. Rowe was pastor of the Independent Church at Girdlers Hall.

Isaac joined this church in 1693. He had experienced as a kid first hand the mistreatment the nonconformist had received from the leaders and politicians of the Church of England.

Isaac’s father was taken prisoner twice because of his religious views and although jailed and beaten, he stood his ground for his belief.

He believed every man, woman and child should have a right to sing hymns, pray to God on their own behalf and experience God’s blessings and be able to praise Him.

This was against the Church of England’s teaching. The priest prayed for the congregation, read the scripture and a special choir chanted songs and hymns.

In 1694 at age 20 Watts finished his schooling at the academy and spent the next two years at home.

It was during this time he wrote the bulk of his hymns and spiritual songs.

The hymns were sung at the Southampton Chapel each week and became so popular that they were published in 1707-1709.

Isaac spent the next six years tutoring the son of one of the popular Puritans, John Hartopp.

While he was tutoring, Isaac learned in depth theological and philosophical materials, which he later published.

He preached his first message at age 24 in 1698. He preached as a supply layman for the next three years.

He was ordained as pastor in 1702 and accepted the pastorate at the Independent Congregation in Mark Lane.

The next year, his health began to fail and the church hired an associate pastor, Samuel Price, to help him in his church duties.

Isaac moved in with Sir Thomas Abney and his wife during his recovery period.

He was accepted as a member of the Abney family and lived there the rest of his life.

Robert Lowery wrote the music for this great hymn. He was born on March 12, 1826, in Philadelphia, Pa. Lowery attended the University of Lewisburg (later renamed Bucknell University).

After graduation he became a professor of literature. He was ordained as a Baptist minister and pastored at West Chester, Pa.

He also pastored in Baptist Churches in New York and New Jersey. Robert also worked at the Bigelow Publishing Company as a music editor.

Robert helped found the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in New York City. He wrote the music for over 500 hymns and gospel songs. He died on Nov. 25, 1899, in Plainfield, N.J., at age 73.



Stories Behind the Hymns is taken from “104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories, Vols. I and II,” written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe. He can be reached by e-mail at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by snail mail at P.O. Box 775, Biscoe, NC 27209. Visit www.myfavoritehymnstories.com for more information on purchasing the books.

        

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