“MAJESTIC SWEETNESS SITS ENTHRONED.”
Rev. Samuel Stennett D.D., the author of this hymn, was the son of Rev. Joseph Stennett, and grandson of Rev. Joseph Stennett D.D., who wrote—
Another six days' work is done,
Another Sabbath is begun.
All were Baptist ministers. Samuel was born in 1727, at Exeter, Eng., and at the age of twenty-one 46 / 24 became his father's assistant, and subsequently his successor over the church in Little Wild Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.
Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Saviour's brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o'erflow.
* * * * * *
To Him I owe my life and breath
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death,
He saves me from the grave.
* * * * * *
Since from His bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be Thine.
Samuel Stennett was one of the most respected and influential ministers of the Dissenting persuasion, and a confidant of many of the most distinguished statesmen of his time. The celebrated John Howard was his parishoner and intimate friend. His degree of Doctor of Divinity was bestowed upon him by Aberdeen University. Besides his theological writings he composed and published thirty-eight hymns, among them—
On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
When two or three with sweet accord,
Here at Thy table, Lord, we meet,
and—
“'Tis finished,” so the Saviour cried.
“Majestic Sweetness” began the third stanza of his longer hymn—
To Christ the Lord let every tongue.
Dr. Stennett died in London, Aug. 24, 1795.