Watts, Isaac

Isaac (1674-1748), an English Congregational clergyman and writer. He was born at Southampton and died at London. From 1702 until the time of his death he was minister of the Congregational chapel in Mark Lane, London. His congregation was an influential one. Watts himself had greater popularity as a writer than as a speaker. He wrote about 600 hymns, many of which are still popular in church hymn books. He is best known, however, by his Divine and Moral Songs for children. Together with the Westminster Shorter Catechism they have held a large place in the religious teaching of English-speaking children. Among the better known hymns are no doubt, the two beginning: