Edward Perronet

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Edward Perronet (1726 - January 2, 1792) is perhaps most famous for penning the lyrics to the well known hymn, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name". Born in Sund­ridge, Kent, England, Perronet was the descendant of a French Huguenot family which fled first to Switzerland and then to England to escape religious persecution. The son of an Ang­li­can min­is­ter, he worked closely with John and Charles Wesley for many years in England's eighteenth century revival. At the time, persecution of Methodists was common. John Wesley once noted in his diary that Edward himself "was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire" at Bolton.

Though considered a capable preacher, Perronet was uneasy about doing so in front of John Wesley, despite Wesley's persistent urging. After wearying of his requests, Wesley simply announced one day that Brother Perronet would speak. Edward cleverly managed to escape Wesley's sly intention by mounting the pulpit, declaring he would deliver the greatest sermon ever preached, and proceeding to read Christ's "Sermon on the Mount"; afterwhich, he immediately sat down.

During his life, Edward published three volumes of Christian poems, including a poetic rendering of the Scriptures. Shortly before he died, January 2, l792 in Can­ter­bu­ry, Kent, Eng­land, he uttered these last words: "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."

Perronet's legacy lives on as Christian communities continue to sing what has come to be known as the "National Anthem of Christianity" in churches around the world... "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name". Several of his hymns are also preserved in the Sacred Harp. His body is buried in the Can­ter­bu­ry Ca­thed­ral, Kent, Eng­land.

[edit] External links

• Hymns by Edward Perronet