John Lawson

Lawson, John, was born at Trowbridge, Wiltshire, July 24, 1787. He was articled to a wood-engraver in London; but believing that his knowledge of various manual arts might make him useful in the foreign mission field, he offered himself to the Baptist Missionary Society, and was sent to India. He arrived at Serampore in 1812, and soon rendered good service by showing how to reduce the types for printing used in the Eastern languages. He subsequently became pastor of a Baptist Church in Calcutta, devoting also much time to the work of education, He died Oct. 22, 1825. Mr. Lawson was an accomplished naturalist and a good musician, but his favourite recreation was the composition of poetry. Orient Harping, Roland, and other poems were published by him between the years 1820 and 1825. Two of his hymns were printed in the Baptist New Selection, 1828:—
1. Father of mercies, condescend. Prayer for a Missionary.
2. Fountain of truth and grace and power. Prayer for the Jews.
The following are in the Comprehensive Rippon, 1844 :—
3. While in the howling shades of death. Missions.
4. Europe, speak the mighty name. Universal Doxology. [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.]

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)