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The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of
Religious Knowledge, Philip Schaff Vol. XII:
Abridged and edited for
greater clarity. |
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ISAAC
WATTS (1674–1748)
English hymn
writer Founder of English hymnody; born at Southampton, England, July
17, 1674; died, at Stoke Newington Nov. 25, 1748. He obtained an excellent
education at Southampton grammar school, then, joining the dissenters, he
studied at an academy at Stoke Newington, where he acquired his accuracy of
thought and habit of laborious analysis; leaving the academy in 1694, he spent
two years at home, beginning his hymn-writing. He was private tutor, 1696-1701;
became assistant pastor in the chapel at Mark Lane, 1699, and sole pastor,
1702; because of frequent attacks of illness, Samuel Price had assisted him
from 1703 and was chosen copastor 1713; his illness increased with time, but
the congregation refused to part with one who had become so famous and beloved.
Watts was one of the most popular writers of his time; the Horœ
Lyricœ (London, 1706) won him fame as a poet, but it was his hymns
that so distinguished him. Many of his hymns continue to be popular today.
- There Is a Name I Love to Hear (Oh how I love Jesus)
- Joy to the World, The Lord Is Come
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed
- Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove
- At the Cross
- We're Marching to Zion
His poetry by giving utterance to the spiritual emotions made
hymn singing an earnest devotional power; the success of his hymns was
tremendous, the two staple volumes were the Hymns (1707) and the
Psalms of David (1719). The various pieces numbered about 600, of
which quite a number are still in general use. His best pieces rank among the
finest hymns in English. Watts was also the founder of children's hymnology,
writing the Divine Songs (1715).
As to his theology, some of
his beliefs were far outside orthodoxy. He was opposed in 1719 to the
imposition of the doctrine of the Trinity on independent ministers. He held a
theory which he hoped might close the breach between
Arianism and the faith of the Church;
he maintained that the human soul of Christ, created before the world, had been
united to the divine principle in the Godhead known as the Sophia or Logos, and
that the personality of the Holy Ghost was figurative rather than literal. He
held liberal views on education, and his learning and piety attracted a great
many. |
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