Edward Perronet published what came to be known as the ‘national anthem of Christianity’ in 1779 and 1780. In fact, the words of “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” have been so well regarded that they have been married to three different tunes, so that Perronet’s thoughts survive today in multiple versions in many hymnals. Yet, Perronet’s efforts originally were incognito, apparently of his own choice. In fact, many of Perronet’s songs reportedly were written anonymously. Why? Did he doubt himself, or think the songs were of low quality?
The ‘national anthem’ is Perronet’s best-known hymn – in fact, perhaps the only one that we still have today. Other episodes from Perronet’s life, and even this song’s words, show us a bit of the composer’s personality when he composed. Maybe it was Perronet’s association with the Wesleys (John and Charles) that made him humble. Perronet, though an ordained minister himself, is said to have always been reluctant to preach if John Wesley was present. When coaxed by Wesley on one occasion to speak, Perronet instead recited Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, redirecting attention elsewhere. He also reportedly suffered humiliating treatment -- being thrown into mud -- while suffering persecution along with the Wesleys during their evangelism campaigns in the 1740s and 1750s. Perronet’s song’s words indicate he practiced humility here too, deflecting others’ attention from himself, and -- correctly -- toward the Lord. Every stanza in this poem reminds us to ‘crown Him’ – an admonition undoubtedly from which Perronet drew his courage and life’s purpose.
Perronet wrote the song in his early-to-mid 50’s (he lived another 12 years, until 1792), so was he looking backward or forward? Maybe both? If this song sums up Perronet’s earthly life up to that point, maybe he was feeling reflective, and admonishing others that they could do what he had already done to advance the Lord’s work even further. Perhaps he already saw his own demise approaching, and was merely practicing for the grand worship on the other side. It would be interesting to see more of Perronet’s personality in the other poems he wrote, and so examine more of his journey, but regrettably they remain a mystery…at least for now. Heaven and lots of new or reintroduced songs like Perronet’s await us, so keep those vocal chords loose!
Information on the song was obtained from the books “101 Hymn Stories”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1982; “Amazing Grace – 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, 1990; and “The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs”, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, 2006.
Also see the following website for information on Perronet and more verses to the song: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/h/ahtpojn.htm
The ‘national anthem’ is Perronet’s best-known hymn – in fact, perhaps the only one that we still have today. Other episodes from Perronet’s life, and even this song’s words, show us a bit of the composer’s personality when he composed. Maybe it was Perronet’s association with the Wesleys (John and Charles) that made him humble. Perronet, though an ordained minister himself, is said to have always been reluctant to preach if John Wesley was present. When coaxed by Wesley on one occasion to speak, Perronet instead recited Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, redirecting attention elsewhere. He also reportedly suffered humiliating treatment -- being thrown into mud -- while suffering persecution along with the Wesleys during their evangelism campaigns in the 1740s and 1750s. Perronet’s song’s words indicate he practiced humility here too, deflecting others’ attention from himself, and -- correctly -- toward the Lord. Every stanza in this poem reminds us to ‘crown Him’ – an admonition undoubtedly from which Perronet drew his courage and life’s purpose.
Perronet wrote the song in his early-to-mid 50’s (he lived another 12 years, until 1792), so was he looking backward or forward? Maybe both? If this song sums up Perronet’s earthly life up to that point, maybe he was feeling reflective, and admonishing others that they could do what he had already done to advance the Lord’s work even further. Perhaps he already saw his own demise approaching, and was merely practicing for the grand worship on the other side. It would be interesting to see more of Perronet’s personality in the other poems he wrote, and so examine more of his journey, but regrettably they remain a mystery…at least for now. Heaven and lots of new or reintroduced songs like Perronet’s await us, so keep those vocal chords loose!
Information on the song was obtained from the books “101 Hymn Stories”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1982; “Amazing Grace – 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, 1990; and “The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs”, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, 2006.
Also see the following website for information on Perronet and more verses to the song: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/h/ahtpojn.htm
See information on Perronet at the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Perronet
whats the anthem
ReplyDeletecheck out the links and the other sources listed at the end of the blog entry...they refer to the song the composer wrote as his 'anthem'.
ReplyDelete