450 All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

This hymn is often called "The National Anthem of Christendom." The hymn first appeared in 1779  in an issue of the Gospel Magazine, edited by Augustus Toplady (who authored "Rock of Ages").  This text, written by Edward Perronet, has been translated into almost every language.  Perronet was a descendant of a distinguished French Hugenot family who had fled to Switzerland and subsequently to england because of religious persecution in France. Edwards was sympathetic to the evangelical movement of the Wesleys and George Whitefield in the 1740s and 1750s.

Though Perronet wrote many other hymns and other forms of poetry, most of which he published anonymously, this is the only work that remains. The success of the text was certainly augmented through two fine hymns: in America "Coronation" and in England "Miles Lane."

	Oliver Holden, 1765-1844, the composer,  was one of the pioneers of American psalmody, was born in 1765, and was brought up as a carpenter. Subsequently he became a teacher and music-seller. He died at Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1844. His published works are American Harmony, 1793; the Worcester Collection, 1797; and other Tune books. One of his most popular tunes is "Coronation." It is thought that he edited a small hymn-book, published at Boston before 1808, in which are 21 of his hymns with the signature "H."
	This musical version is from a 1958 crusade.

 

Many interesting stories have been associated with this text. One of the more remarkable stories surrounds E.P. Scott. a missionary to India.  He saw an unusual-looking tribesman on the street, and he asked where the man came from.  He was told that the man was from a mountain tribe and came only once a year to the major city to trade.  The missionary discovered that the gospel had never been taken to that tribe.

After praying about it, Scott packed up his bags and his violin and started moving towards the mountain village.  When Scott told other missionaries about his decision, they told him, "We will never see you again.  It is madness for you to go."  He went anyway and after two days of traveling, he found himself in the mountains.  Suddenly he was surrounded by spear-carrying tribesmen, and every spear was pointed at him.

Not knowing what else to do, Scott got out his violin, closed his eyes and started playing and singing "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name," including the verse, "Let ev'ry kindred, ev'ry tribe/On this terrestrial ball,/To Him all majesty ascribe,/And crown Him Lord of all,/And crown Him Lord of all."   When he opened his eyes, he realized all the tribesmen had not only put their spears down, but they had tears in their eyes.  Scott remained in the village and ministered to the villagers for the next two-and-a-half years telling them about Jesus and His love for them.  When Scott had to leave them because of his health, the tribes-people escorted him 40 miles to where he was able to get transportation out of the area.