Review: Holiness and Happiness by Britt Stokes
In this video, we take a look at the little book, Holiness and Happiness: The Piety of Isaac Watts by Britt Stokes. Even though it's a very small book, it is a nugget of gold. I'm trying a new video format with b-roll clips. Let me know if you like it, or if I should go back to the old format. Thanks!
Or you can just listen to the audio here:
Holiness and Happiness by W. Britt Stokes
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
Book info
P. #: 123
Author: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Life: From an early age, Watts received a very in-depth classical education where he was described as (P. 5). Despite his clear genius, he was not permitted to enter Cambridge or Oxford due to his being a dissenter. In light of this, he attended the Dissenting Academy, and shortly after began his pastoral work. Additionally, to being a pastor, Watts was also a Logician and wrote the very famous Logic which, ironically, actually became a standard textbook Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, and Harvard for many, many years. As with many theologians of his time, he wrote many hymns numbering somewhere around 750, all of which are rich and full of great theology and he therefore is known as the father of English Hymnody.
General info about author: Watts was a pastor, poet, logician, philosopher, theologian, professor, and many other things.
Overall Summery/review:
Very short book and a great introduction to Isaac Watts. This book being only 123 pages manages to fit in a lot of information about Watts and really shows the type of person that he was. His love of piety and holiness is clear throughout the book.
There are numerous sections in this book that divide it clearly. I’ll give more information on this later, but there is first the short biography (just 18 pages), then there are three sections that divide the rest of the book.
The biographical sketch, though short, contains a lot of information about Watts, and really introduces him well. It walks through each period of his life, and discusses his position on various controversies and his personal life.
Unlike most other biographies, this book centers around Watts’s writings themselves instead of just his life. Each short chapter (never more than a few pages) is a selection from his works, which are sited at the end of each chapter. Because of the short nature of the chapters, this could very easily be read as a devotional work or simply as a brief biography.
Also scattered throughout the chapters are images of various other theologians who knew Watts or were influenced by him which gives the reader an understand of Watts’s impact during and after his life.
Quotes: p. 15, 19, 33, 34, 36, 49, 65, 77, 87, 100