‘There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood’ (1771) Page 622 
Words: William Cowper (1731 - 1800) Music: 19th Century ‘Campmeeting’ Melody
William Cowper, author of today’s hymn, was a famous English writer, his father was Chaplain to King George II and his mother was a descendant of Henry III. As a child he was “physically frail and emotionally sensitive.” His mother died when he was 6; he later remarked that there was never a day he had not mourned his mother's death.
At the age of eighteen, Cowper began to study law. Although he passed the bar, he made no attempt to practice his profession. In nine years of so-called law practice Cowper never felt worthy to serve people; nor could he attract business for himself. A concerned relative arranged for Cowper a clerkship in the House of Lords. Cowper felt so inadequate that he made several attempts to take his life.
Cowper became influenced by Christianity and discovered God’s saving grace through the encouragement of family and friends. Cowper recovered from the severe depression, but was continually disturbed with lesser bouts throughout his life. Cowper’s name will always be associated with that of John Newton (author of ‘Amazing Grace’), who remained his friend and pastor. Together they wrote many hymns familiar to us today (there are two of Cowper’s hymns in our hymnal). Newton saved Cowper from suicide several times. Being unable to hold a job, Cowper spent his time in literary pursuits and writing poetry. He had quite a large audience of people who read and enjoyed his writings.
Cowper moved to Olney, a village in Buckinghamshire, England in 1767, and stayed there for 19 years in close friendship with John Newton. In 1779, their joint hymn-writing efforts were published in a volume entitled ‘Olney Hymns,’ which contained 280 hymns by Newton and 68 by Cowper.
Meanwhile…1771…237 years ago…in the United States…
President: None…V.P.: None
By this time, some 50,000 British convicts were dumped on American shores
Construction of the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia (1st solitary confinement)
Jeanne Baptiste Pointe de Sable founded the settlement now known as Chicago
Britain’s Parliament named Ben Franklin to a committee to investigate lightning rods
Ref. HymnHistories Cyberhymnal WebEdelic DMarie TanBible Wikipedia BuffaloHistory.com
Words: William Cowper (1731 - 1800) Music: 19th Century ‘Campmeeting’ Melody
William Cowper, author of today’s hymn, was a famous English writer, his father was Chaplain to King George II and his mother was a descendant of Henry III. As a child he was “physically frail and emotionally sensitive.” His mother died when he was 6; he later remarked that there was never a day he had not mourned his mother's death.
At the age of eighteen, Cowper began to study law. Although he passed the bar, he made no attempt to practice his profession. In nine years of so-called law practice Cowper never felt worthy to serve people; nor could he attract business for himself. A concerned relative arranged for Cowper a clerkship in the House of Lords. Cowper felt so inadequate that he made several attempts to take his life.
Cowper became influenced by Christianity and discovered God’s saving grace through the encouragement of family and friends. Cowper recovered from the severe depression, but was continually disturbed with lesser bouts throughout his life. Cowper’s name will always be associated with that of John Newton (author of ‘Amazing Grace’), who remained his friend and pastor. Together they wrote many hymns familiar to us today (there are two of Cowper’s hymns in our hymnal). Newton saved Cowper from suicide several times. Being unable to hold a job, Cowper spent his time in literary pursuits and writing poetry. He had quite a large audience of people who read and enjoyed his writings.
Cowper moved to Olney, a village in Buckinghamshire, England in 1767, and stayed there for 19 years in close friendship with John Newton. In 1779, their joint hymn-writing efforts were published in a volume entitled ‘Olney Hymns,’ which contained 280 hymns by Newton and 68 by Cowper.
Meanwhile…1771…237 years ago…in the United States…
President: None…V.P.: None
By this time, some 50,000 British convicts were dumped on American shores
Construction of the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia (1st solitary confinement)
Jeanne Baptiste Pointe de Sable founded the settlement now known as Chicago
Britain’s Parliament named Ben Franklin to a committee to investigate lightning rods
Ref. HymnHistories Cyberhymnal WebEdelic DMarie TanBible Wikipedia BuffaloHistory.com
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