Thomas Binney (1798-1874) English Congregationalist

Thomas was popularly known as the ‘Archbishop of Nonconformity’. He was noted for sermons and writings in defence of the principles of Noncomformity, devotional verse and for involvement in the cause of anti-slavery

After a short pastorate on the Isle of Wight he moved in 1829 to King’s Weigh House Chapel, London. There he continued to discharge the duties of the ministry until he resigned in 1869 (40 years). During his time there the congregation grew so large that a new chapel on Fish Street Hill was built. In 1834 he personally laid the foundation stone of the chapel.

He visited Canada and the USA in 1845 . Between 1857-9 he visited the Australian colonies.

He was twice chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.

He worked to obtain reunion with the C.of E. He introduced the chanting of psalms into Congregational worship as one step towards this. He gave a special impulse with the publication of The Service of Song in the House of the Lord.
(See Books for other of his publications)
On the other hand he wrote Twenty -Four Reasons for Dissenting from the Church of England (1848).

He was an active member of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society formed in 1839. He wrote the biography of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, a leading parliamentary abolitionist.

Thomas’s liberality of view and breadth of ecclesiastical sympathy entitles him to be ranked, on questions of Nonconformity, among the most distinguished.

He gave his last sermon in November 1873. Following months of pain Thomas died,aged 76, on 24th February 1874.

He wrote the well known hymn Eternal Light! Eternal Light!

Source
Wikipedia