Friday, September 1, 2023

Saturday prior to Proper 17

 

The hymn of the day, Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus (LSB #531), connects the suffering of Jesus with our salvation and shows that the glory of God is revealed in the suffering and death of His Son. ‘Worship, honor, power, and blessing / Thou art worthy to receive’ because ‘Thou didst suffer to release us…Thou universal Savior, Bearer of our sin and shame.’

Our hymn was written by John Bakewell. (1721-1819)  When Bakewell was about 18 years old, he was deeply touched by a book he read and turned his thoughts to the Lord. By the time he was 23, he was preaching the gospel in his own neighborhood. Later he became associated with the Wesley’s and their work in London.

From 1749 he preached at the “Greenwich Royal Park Academy”. He not only preached the word but wrote several hymns as well.

On his tombstone, in City Road Chapel (buried near to John Wesley) appears the following inscription

“Sacred to the memory of JOHN BAKEWELL, late of Greenwich, who departed this life March 18, 1819, aged ninety-eight. He adorned the Doctrine of God, Our Savior, eighty years, and preached His glorious gospel about 70 years.

“Hail Jesus enthroned in glory
There forever to abide;
All the heavenly hosts adore Thee,
 Seated at Thy Father’s side;
 Worship, honor, power, and blessing,
 Thou art worthy to receive;
 Loudest praises without ceasing,
 Meet is for us to give. ”
This hymn was written in 1757
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