II Corinthians 5:16
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.

William Cowper (pronounced 'koo-per') was born on November 15, 1731 in Great Berkhamstead, England. He had a shy and somewhat sad childhood and was never able to fully outgrow his tendency towards depression. He later moved to the small village of Olney where he met a former ship's captain who was responsible for transporting thousands of slaves from Africa. John Newton was so ashamed of this practice he gave up the sea and eventually wrote one of our most famous hymns, Amazing Grace.

Hundreds of hymns would be written because of the friendship formed between these two men, including Cowper's O for a Closer Walk With God

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.