Frederick Whitfield was the youngest child of Thomas and Jane Whitfield. He was born on January 7, 1827 at Threapwood in Shopshire, England. He was brought up in close connection with the gospel of God’s grace and was saved at a young age.

Frederick graduated from Trinity College (Dublin University) in 1859 and became a deacon in the Church of England. During his time of service he was made priest, curate and was the overseer for St. John’s, Bexley Heath, London, and St Mary’s parishes. He was also connected with the Irish Church Missions as well as was an author and a poet. Based on the verse in I Peter 2:7, “ Unto you therefore which believe He is precious. ” He wrote” :

I need Thee precious Jesus! for I am full of sin;

My soul is dark and guilty, my heart is dead within.

I need the cleansing fountain where I can always flee,

The blood of Christ most precious, the sinner’s perfect plea. ”

I need Thee blessed Jesus! and hope to see Thee soon,

Encircled with the rainbow and seated on Thy throne.

There, with Thy blood-bought children my soul shall ever be

To sing praise, Lord Jesus, to gaze, my Lord, on Thee. ”

Mr. Whitfield was married in 1861 to Sarah Garforth who died five years later leaving him with three small children. He remarried in 1871, Sophia Butler and was married to her for twelve years until she died leaving him with three small children also. At the time he felt so heavy the weight of his circumstances that he wrote:

“Oh lighten, Lord, this darkened life,

Lord shine upon my way!

A broken heart, a darkened home,

Oh God, is this Thy way? ”

In 1899 his health began to fail, so he retired to Norwood, England at the end of his days. He went to be with the Lord on September 13, 1904. He was buried beside his second wife in Kensal Green Cemetery, London.

Hymnal. net has selected hymn 1073 also for this hymnal.

A retired adult believer learning to play the piano. Playing this hymn now and loving it; this website really helps.

I serve with my elderly earthly father. This song really helps.

“Oh, how I love Jesus,

Because He first loved me! ”

It touches me.

It is true - a divine fact! The sweetest name on earth is Jesus! Lord Jesus we love You!

I absolutely love all hymns they are embedded in my heart and spirit. The church must return to these for they provide a foundation, a stability and unprecedented joys. You’ll be singing them through the ages of your life..

Sing psalms, HYMNS, and spiritual songs..... let’s do it.

This song is great it is filled with great music and great sound? It is so holy, and sweet and smooth and filled with nature.

Beautiful Song. I dreamt I was singing it. It got deep into my spirit. Yes I love Jesus. I love Him so much.

People can only love the Lord Jesus and His name if they become born again (John 3 verse 3) by repentance and fath in the gospel (Mark). The gospel is that the Lord Jesus Christ, God and God's only begotten Son ( one of the Persons of the Trinty, along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit), came to earth sinless, born of the Virgin Mary. ,

When He died He took our sins in His body on the cross, bearing our punishment and guilt. He rose again from the dead for He was sinless.

If we repent and believe that Jesus did both the above ( died etc, and rose again, etc), we then shall be born again and receive the Holy Spirit as children of God, being justified by faith (, John 3 verses 3 and 16, Romans chapter 8, and Romans chapter 5 verse 1).

Romans is the fifth book of the New Testament.