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Pennepack Baptist Church, founded by Elias Keach, in 1688, is the oldest surviving Baptist church in the Middle Colonies. In 1805, at the peak of the Second Great Awakening, during the ministry of Samuel Jones, the congregation erected its present (third) building, constructed from fieldstone collected from the surrounding meadows. Straight-backed box pews occupy the main floor. An elegant, high Read more...
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John Blair Smith was a significant figure in the early history of American higher education and Presbyterian leadership, best remembered for his role as the first president of Hampden–Sydney College. His life, though relatively brief, was marked by intellectual ability, religious conviction, and a steady commitment to shaping young men for both ministry and civic responsibility in the formative years Read more...
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The Pennsylvania Bible Society stands as one of the oldest Bible societies in the United States, reflecting a long-standing commitment to the distribution of Scripture and the promotion of biblical literacy. Founded in 1808 in Philadelphia, the society emerged during a period of religious revival and growing interest in organized efforts to make the Bible widely available to all people, Read more...
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The first English-language Bible printed in America, commonly known as the Aitken Bible, stands as a remarkable achievement in the early history of the United States. Produced in 1782 by Robert Aitken in Philadelphia, this edition of the Scriptures was born out of both necessity and conviction during the years following the American Revolution. Before independence, most English Bibles used Read more...
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The King James Version of the Bible required the authorization of the King to print (hence the name Authorized Version). The King wanted the colonists dependent on England, and so did not give permission to the colonists to print the Bible, thus all Bibles were imported from England. During the Revolution, the British cut off the supply of Bibles. On Read more...
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From the UPenn website: Religious figure George Whitefield was born in 1714 in Gloucester, England. He was most known for being an evangelist in America who was part of the Great Awakening and one of the founders of Methodism (George Whitefield, n.d.). The Great Awakening was the religious revival of Christianity that impacted English colonies in America (Great Awakening, 2019). Read more...
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From the Cemetery: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920), Section I, Lot #89-90 Eliza Hewitt was a songwriter who penned numerous Christian hymns. As a young woman, Hewitt taught at a Philadelphia public school, but after becoming ill with a spinal condition, she was confined to her bed. As her health improved, she began to write lyrics to songs, including “Sunshine in Read more...
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Hymn History: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Composer: William James Kirkpatrick Author: Louisa M. R. Stead The Origins of the Hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” Few hymns express the simple, childlike faith of trusting in Christ as tenderly as “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” For more than a century, it has been Read more...
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Hymn History: O Zion, Haste Author: Mary Ann Thomson “By some mistake 1891 is given instead of 1871 as the date of the hymn in the (Episcopal) Hymnal. I do not think it is ever sung to the tune for which I wrote it. Rev. John Anketell told me, and I am sure he is right, that it is Read more...
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Hymn History: Fairest Lord Jesus Author: Joseph Augustus Seiss “His contemporaries described him as ‘an eloquent pulpit orator’ and said his ‘style is clear, ornate, attractive, and forcible.’” (Wikipedia) The Origin of the Hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus” Among the world’s most beloved hymns exalting the beauty and majesty of Christ, “Fairest Lord Jesus” holds a cherished place in Read more...
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Hymn History: It’s Just Like His Great Love Author: Edna Randolph Worrell “Virtually nothing is known of the author …” (hymnstudiesblog) The Origin of the Hymn “It’s Just Like His Great Love” Among the many gospel songs that celebrate the steadfast love of Christ, few express it as simply and sweetly as “It’s Just Like His Great Love.” Read more...
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Hymn History: Only Trust Him Author: John H. Stockton “Methodist minister John H. Stockton … had the evangelistic spirit of the day: he worked with Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in the Philadelphia meetings, writing invitation hymns for use in their revivals.” (Dr. Hawn of Discipleship Ministries) The Origin of the Hymn “Only Trust Him” Few Read more...
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Louis Sylvester Bauman “Bauman was instrumental in developing young Brethren Church leaders … [and] encouraged many young men to attend dispensationalist BIOLA.” (Wikipedia) Louis Sylvester Bauman: Defender of the Faith and Shepherd of Souls Louis Sylvester Bauman (1875–1950) was one of the most remarkable voices in early twentieth-century American fundamentalism—a pastor, author, educator, and denominational leader whose life was Read more...