Francois H. Barthélémon was born in Bordeaux, July 27, 1741, and died in London, July 20, 1808. He gave up his position as an officer in the French army to make music his profession and became a composer and distinguished violinist and conductor in England. Most of his compositions were of a secular nature. His other church pieces are “Morning Hymn” ([25]) and “Ballerma” ([146], [585]). Late in life Barthélémon joined the Swedenborgian Church. He died of paralysis at the age of 67.
3, 4, 5. All [hail] [the] power of Jesus’ name
Edward Perronet, 1726-92
The original version of this hymn contained eight stanzas and first appeared in the Gospel Magazine, Augustus Toplady’s journal, the first stanza together with the tune “Miles Lane,” in November, 1779, and the remaining stanzas in April, 1780. It is one of the popular, stirring hymns of the English language, sung in England almost invariably to the tune “Miles Lane” and in America more generally to “Coronation.”
Edward Perronet was born in 1726 and became a vicar in the Church of England in Shoreham. Later, under the influence of John Wesley, he left the established church to become an itinerant Methodist preacher. After some years he left the Methodists and ministered to a small dissenting congregation in Canterbury, where he died in 1792.
The fourth stanza is attributed by some authorities to the Rev. John Rippon, a Baptist minister.
A missionary in India, E. P. Scott, went to visit a mountain tribe when one day he found himself surrounded with a number of wild, ferocious tribesmen, pointing their spears at him. Expecting death, he closed his eyes and sang this hymn, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,” playing the tune “Miles Lane” on his violin. The music and words produced such a profound effect upon these wild tribesmen that they spared Scott’s life and invited him to settle among them. For over two years, until his health failed, he worked with great success among them, and when he was compelled to return to America, they accompanied him thirty or forty miles and begged him to return. Upon regaining his health, he did return and labored with them until his death.
MUSIC. MILES LANE ([No. 3]) was composed by William Shrubsole, 1760-1806, especially for this hymn. He was an intimate friend of the author of the hymn. Most of his life was spent as music teacher and organist in various English churches. The tune is very effective, especially in its thrilling climax in the fourfold repetition of “Crown Him.” However, due to its wide melodic range, its sustained notes, and interrupted pace, it is more difficult to sing than “Coronation.”
CORONATION ([No. 4]) was composed by Oliver Holden. He had little formal training in music and was a carpenter by trade. He was born in Shirley, Mass., Sept. 18, 1765. After the English burned Charlestown, across the river from Boston, Holden helped in the task of rebuilding and made considerable money. Later he engaged in the real estate business, owned a music store, and all the while led choirs and singing schools. He was elected representative to the Congress. He was an influential citizen and a prominent member of the Baptist Church. However, he is remembered by posterity as the composer of this much-loved tune.
DIADEM ([No. 5]) is an effective tune widely used on anniversary occasions. The composer, James Ellor, an English Methodist, was born in Lancashire in 1819. He was not a professional musician, but a hatter by trade. For a time he worked as a railway employee. While still a young man, he came to America, where he worked at the hatmaking trade. For some years before his death in 1899, he was nearly blind. This tune was composed when Ellor was only 19 years old. It was written especially for this hymn and has had wide use as a choir number.