2 January 1792 A.D. Edward Perronet
Passes—Author of the “National Anthem of Christendom,” to wit, “All Hail the
Power of Jesus’ Name”
Editors. “Perronet’s `National
Anthem of Christendom.’” Christianity.com. Jun 2007. http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/perronets-national-anthem-of-christendom-11630316.html. Accessed 1 Jan 2014.
Some
years ago, missionary E. P. Scott went to India. He set out to visit a remote
mountain tribe which had never heard the name of Christ. As he neared their
land, he was suddenly surrounded by a savage band of warriors, all pointing
their spears straight at his heart. Expecting a quick death, the missionary
pulled out his violin and began playing and singing in their native language
the hymn "All hail the power of Jesus' name." He reached the stanza
that reads:
Let every tribe and every tongue
On this terrestrial ball
To him all majesty ascribe
And crown him Lord of all...
On this terrestrial ball
To him all majesty ascribe
And crown him Lord of all...
The natives lowered their
weapons and some were in tears. E. P. Scott spent the rest of his life
ministering to these primitive people.
The hymn which so effectively
moved this Indian tribe is often referred to as the "National Anthem of
Christendom" and has been translated into almost every language where
there are Christians. The author of the hymn, Edward Perronet was the descendent of a French
Huguenot family which fled first to Switzerland and then to England to escape
religious persecution. Perronet was a pastor who worked closely with John and
Charles Wesley for many years in England's eighteenth- century revival.
At that time, Methodists were
savagely persecuted. According to John Wesley's diary, Edward did not escape
his share of abuse either. "Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in
mud and mire" at Bolton, he wrote.
Edward was uneasy about
preaching in front of John Wesley. Wesley urged him to do so several times.
Finally, Wesley forced the issue. He announced that Brother Perronet would
speak the following week. A week later, witty Edward mounted the pulpit and
declared he would deliver the greatest sermon ever preached. He then read
Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" and sat down!
During his life, Edward
published three volumes of Christian poems, including a poetic rendering of the
Scriptures. Shortly before he died on this day, January 2, l792, his last words
were,
"Glory to God in the height
of His divinity! Glory to God in the depth of his humanity! Glory to God in His
all suffering! Into His hands I commend my spirit."
Bibliography:
2. "All Hail the Power."
http://www.webedelic.com/church/hailf.htm
3. "Edward Perronet."
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/p/e/perronet_e.htm
4. Routley, Erik. Hymns and the Faith. Greenwich,
Connecticut: Seabury Press, 1956.
5. Wells, Amos R. A Treasure of Hymns; Brief biographies of 120 leading
hymn- writers and Their best hymns. Boston: W. A. Wilde company,
1945.
Last updated June,
2007
1.
All
hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
2. Ye chosen seed of
Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
3. Let every kindred,
every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
4. Oh, that with yonder
sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
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