Precious promise God doth give thee

Nathaniel Niles was born April 3, 1741. He was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a United States representative from Vermont. Nathaniel Niles received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Princeton College, NJ, where he was noted for his theological debates. After graduation, he studied medicine and law. In 1774 he married Elizabeth Lathrop of Norwich, Connecticut. They had four children: William, Sally, Mary, and Elizabeth.

During the Revolution, he worked on the Lathrop Mills, inventing a method for making wire – needed for wool cards – from iron bar to avoid having to import from Great Britain. In 1782 Niles purchased land and settled in West Fairlee, Vermont. He served as a lawyer and physician in the frontier community and although he was never ordained, he was a prominent leader among the local clergy. He served a speaker of Vermont‘s House of Representatives in 1784, as a judge in the supreme Court from 1784 to 1788, and as a member of the Vermont Council and the council of censors. A supporter of the Federal Constitution, Niles became one of the state’s first congressman in 1791. He was defeated in 1794 but remained active in state politics as a Jeffersonian Republican, serving again in the House of Representatives and the governor’s council. He was a trustee of the Dartmouth College from 1794 to 1820. In 1787, a few years after the death of his first wife, Niles married Elizabeth Watson, who was noted for her literary and theological attainments. They had five children: Nathaniel, Samuel, Betsy, Watson, and Nancy.

On June 5, 1774 Niles gave two sermons in the North Church in Newburyport speaking out against slavery. Nathaniel argued liberal concepts of liberty must apply to all, including those enslaved. Proclaiming “For shame, let us either cease to enslave our fellow man or else let us cease to complain of those who would enslave us. ” He also wrote a famous poem about the Battle of Bunker Hill; one of the first abolition sermons preached the colonies.

Nathaniel Niles died in Fairlee Vermont on October 31, 1828 and was buried at West Fairlee Cemetery.

(Founders Online)

The holy Ghost is our guidance that our father have sent and he will lead from earth to glory hallelujah

Thanks Christina and Ray for your comments it is truly a hymn about our Christian walk with our maker and what wants to give us for our present and future life.

It's what Jesus came to give us.

he's guiding me all the way

love this song

I am greatly encouraged by the words of this hymn. I am assured of God's guidance all through my journey in life especially now that my beloved husband has gone to be with the Lord.

When I pray for my sermon this morning, the song by Philip Bliss comes up. I will solo this song which in the sermon and then as an altar call song. Many prophetic words God given in these days are through hymns!

Every time I read through Psalm 32, especially verse 8, I am reminded of this hymn. I sang it as a youth in a duet. It never leaves me. I just needed to see all the verses again today. I am 75 now and it still rings true. Thanks be to God for all His goodness and his Blessings.

Oh! God make me to understand that you're always with me despite my sinful nature

Very interesting and encouraging

The greatest God, let our faith grow deep in you Lord