In 1765, John Fawcett became pastor of a small, impoverished Baptist church at Wainsgate in Yorkshire, England. He served faithfully for seven years, despite a small income and a growing family much too large to be supported by his meager wages. It seemed only practical that he move to a church that paid a larger salary. When he received a call to the large and influential Carter's Lane Baptist Church in London, he accepted.

Moving day soon arrived. Men, women, and children stood around the wagons, weeping over the loss of their beloved pastor.

Seated on packed cases, Fawcett and his wife could not restrain their tears. They and the church members were remembering the times when he had stood with a family mourning the death of a loved one, or with a young husband as he anxiously awaited the arrival of his firstborn. Perhaps still fresh in their minds were the times when Pastor John had taken his Bible and, quietly and earnestly, shown the way of salvation to a lost one; or perhaps the times when he had preached in the little church and the Holy Spirit had visited them in a special way. None of these memories could be brushed from their minds, nor did they want them to be.

Finally, Mrs. Fawcett tearfully told her husband, "I cannot bear to leave. How can we go?" He confessed that he had the same feelings. Abruptly, he ordered the men to unload the wagons.

The incidents that occurred on that day, coupled with the spirit of those kind people at Wainsgate, inspired Fawcett to write the beloved hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" to describe the bond of love he and his wife felt for their parishioners. Despite his growing reputation as an outstanding evangelical preacher, scholar, and writer, it is estimated that Fawcett's salary never rose above the equivalent of $200 a year. Yet out of genuine Christian love for his people, Fawcett stayed and ministered to their needs for 54 years.

When King George III, a fan of Fawcett's writings, offered any benefit he could confer, Fawcett's response was simple: "I have lived among my own people, enjoying their love. God has blessed my labors among them, and I need nothing which even a king could supply."

Adapted from Lindsay Terry's book, The Sacrifice of Praise: Stories Behind the Greatest Praise and Worship Songs of All Time (Integrity).

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