Frederick William Faber Quotes

Powerful Frederick William Faber for Daily Growth

About Frederick William Faber

Frederick William Faber (1814-1863), an Anglican priest, hymnist, and poet, was born in Strutt Street, St. Pancras, London on March 9, 1814. His father, John Faber, was a bookseller and publisher who instilled in him a deep love for literature. However, it was his mother, Maria Faber, a devout Anglican, who had the most profound influence on his spiritual development. Faber showed exceptional academic ability, winning scholarships to St. John's College, Cambridge, where he excelled in classical studies and philosophy. Despite his initial intention to pursue an academic career, Faber felt a strong calling towards the ministry. In 1839, he was ordained as a deacon, followed by priesthood the next year. In 1842, Faber became curate of St. Peter's Church, Plymouth, where his sermons and hymns gained wide acclaim. His most famous hymn, "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy," was written during this period. However, the Oxford Movement, a religious reform movement within the Church of England, began to exert an increasing influence on Faber. In 1845, he published his most influential work, "The Church on Her Worship," which argued for the centrality of sacraments in worship and called for greater liturgical uniformity. This book, along with other works, led to a growing disillusionment with the Anglican Church. In 1845, Faber converted to Roman Catholicism, causing a significant scandal due to his high profile. He spent the rest of his life in Rome, teaching theology and serving as a chaplain at the English College. Despite his conversion, Faber's works continue to be influential within Anglican circles, particularly among those who seek greater liturgical and doctrinal unity with Rome. Frederick William Faber died on December 2, 1863, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire readers and worshippers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We have not lost anything which we can ever truly lose; for we carried the best part of all things with us when we left them - The Love of God."

This quote suggests that the most valuable and enduring aspect of our earthly experiences lies in the love of God. When we leave physical possessions or relationships behind, the love that God has instilled within us is what we truly carry with us forever. It implies that the love of God transcends our temporary existence, offering an eternal connection to something greater than ourselves.

"The love of God is infinite in size, and it has no limits in depth."

This quote underscores the boundless nature of God's love. The "infinite size" signifies that there's no end to the expanse of His affection for all creation. It emphasizes that God's love is not confined by any geographical, emotional, or spiritual boundaries. The "no limits in depth" suggests an unfathomable depth, indicating that God's love extends far beyond our human understanding and experience. It's a reminder that God's love reaches us where we are, meeting us in our deepest moments of joy and sorrow, and offering infinite compassion and support. In essence, the quote invites us to contemplate the overwhelming and profound nature of God's love.

"Holiness consists mainly in prayer, in the right use of time, in the mortification of self-will, in the practice of the presence of God."

This quote by Frederick William Faber suggests that holiness, or a state of being devout and virtuous, is primarily achieved through prayer, proper management of one's time, subduing personal desires (self-will), and maintaining an awareness of God's presence in all aspects of life. Essentially, he emphasizes the importance of spiritual connection and discipline in the pursuit of holiness.

"God's first business is to save our souls, and secondly to make us happy in heaven."

This quote by Frederick William Faber emphasizes God's primary concern for human salvation and spiritual well-being over earthly happiness. The essence of the statement lies in the idea that God's ultimate goal is to ensure our souls are saved, allowing us entry into heaven, which is understood as a place of eternal joy and peace. In other words, while God desires our happiness, this happiness is rooted in spiritual fulfillment rather than worldly pleasures, as the path to eternal bliss begins with salvation.

"A life without love is of all lives most like death."

This quote by Frederick William Faber suggests that a life devoid of love resembles death because, in the absence of love, there is no connection or warmth to sustain life, just as physical death signifies the end of vitality and warmth. Love brings purpose, joy, and human connection, which are fundamental elements for a meaningful and fulfilling existence. Thus, to have a life without these attributes is akin to existing in a state of cold, lifeless isolation similar to what we experience with death.

Happiness is a great power of holiness. Thus, kind words, by their power of producing happiness, have also a power of producing holiness, and so of winning men to God.

- Frederick William Faber

Winning, Kind, Thus, Great Power

Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory.

- Frederick William Faber

Victory, Resistance, Every, Temptation

Kind thoughts are rarer than either kind words or deeds. They imply a great deal of thinking about others. This in itself is rare. But they also imply a great deal of thinking about others without the thoughts being criticisms. This is rarer still.

- Frederick William Faber

Thoughts, Deal, Still, Rarer

Kind words are the music of the world. They have a power which seems to be beyond natural causes, as if they were some angel's song, which had lost its way and come on Earth, and sang on undyingly, smiting the hearts of men with sweetest wounds, and putting for the while an angel's nature into us.

- Frederick William Faber

Some, Had, Putting, Sweetest

Many a friendship, long, loyal, and self-sacrificing, rested at first on no thicker a foundation than a kind word.

- Frederick William Faber

Friendship, Kind, Loyal, Thicker

It has always seemed to me that a love of natural objects, and the depth, as well as exuberance and refinement of mind, produced by an intelligent delight in scenery, are elements of the first importance in the education of the young.

- Frederick William Faber

Love, Mind, Always, Delight

Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.

- Frederick William Faber

More, Eloquence, Than, Converted

If I may use such a word when I am speaking of religious subjects, it is by voice and words that men 'mesmerize' each other. Hence it is that the world is converted by the voice of the preacher.

- Frederick William Faber

Voice, Other, Religious, Converted

The buried talent is the sunken rock on which most lives strike and founder.

- Frederick William Faber

Rock, Most, Which, Founder

Kind words produce happiness. How often have we ourselves been made happy by kind words, in a manner and to an extent which we are unable to explain!

- Frederick William Faber

Happiness, Extent, Which, Unable

They always win who side with God.

- Frederick William Faber

God, Always, Side, Win

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