Dr. John Fawcett was the pastor of a small church at Wainsgate, and was called from there to a larger church in London in 1772. He accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon. The wagons were loaded with his books and furniture, and all was ready for the departure, when his parishioners gathered around him, and with tears in their eyes begged of him to stay. His wife said, "Oh John, John, I cannot bear this." "Neither can I," exclaimed the good pastor, "and we will not go. Unload the wagons and put everything as it was before." His decision was hailed with great joy by his people, and he wrote the words of this hymn in commemoration of the event. This song, and "God be with you until we meet again," are the most useful farewell hymns in the world.

-- Ira D. Sankey

Source: The Cyberhymnal