England had some powerful Baptist preachers. The American revolution had left its mark on England and opened the hearts of the English to consider God’s Word, instead of the Anglican rendition. In this time, men like John Gill and Joseph Stennett and Charles Spurgeon became powerful spokesmen of God.
The Stennett family had endured their share of persecution for being “dissenters” from the state church, being a line of Baptist preachers.
This was also the time when Baptists began to quiet their animosity toward the singing of hymns instead of the Psalter. Quite a few Baptist men became prolific and noted hymn writers. Among these was Samuel Stennett.
Samuel was born on June 1, 1727. His father was the famous Dr. Joseph Stennett, the Baptist pastor of the Little Wild Street Church in London. When Samuel was 20, he became his father’s assistant and ten years later, became the next pastor of the church, when his father died.
Dr. John Gill preached at his father’s funeral. In the message, he points out that Samuel’s great father was a well known Dr. Joseph Stennett, son of the Baptist pastor, Mr. Joseph Stennett who left many great writings for his posterity. His father was Pastor Edward Stennett who suffered much in seeking to preach God’s word in a land that had great political animosity toward anyone not following their own teachings.
He remained pastor there for 37 years, and was one of the great preachers of the day. It is said that King George III was one of his greatest admirers and a good friend.
When Samuel was 34 years old, King George II died, and he was called to preach at the funeral. His sermon spoke highly of the king, even though he was immoral. As his fathers before him, Samuel was outspoken in support of the government. His sermon was immediately published and in two months received a second edition. This sprung the young pastor into the national spotlight and into the publishing world.
Pastor Stennett was not only an outstanding pastor, but he used his influence to bring social reforms and religious freedom. One of the members of his church was the noted English philanthropist and prison reformer, John Howard.
In 1763, when he was 46, he was given the Doctor of Divinity Degree.
In 1787, one of his hymns was published by Rippon’s famous collection. It was “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned.” This was his best known, and most widely accepted hymn, still used today. Another great hymn still used today is “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks.” He wrote 39 hymns.
Hymns he wrote include:
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Dr. Stennett wrote on a wide variety of subjects covering theology and was very influential.
Like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, they celebrated the seventh day as the Sabbath, offering his services to Seventh Day Baptist Churches as needed.
In 1795, on August 24, he passed away in London.
Sources
Drawing from Ocar Burdick. Chapter 4. The Stennetts of England. A dissertation submitted to School of Theology, Alfred University, 1950. http://www.blue-hare.com/stennett/
Christian History: The Golden Age of Hymns. electronic ed. Carol Stream IL: Christianity Today, 1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996.
John Gill. Sermon 84 “The Mutual Gain of Christ and Christians in their Life and Death.” Paris, Arkansas: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1999.
Osbeck, K.W. 101 More Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985.
Osbeck, K.W. 101 Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1982.
Osbeck, K. W. Amazing Grace. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990.
