Johnny M. Hunt is an evangelical Christian pastor, author and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). He was formerly the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, Georgia. Johnny was born in Lumberton , North Carolina. He is a member of the Lumbee Native American Indian tribe based in North Carolina. His father left the family when he was just 7. Johnny became an alcoholic and gambler at a young age -dropping out of school and ‘managing’ a pool room. In his book Out of the Poolroom he tells how he had a radical conversion to Christianity. He was mentored by several men from his home church in Wilmington, North Carolina and came to the realization that God had called him to the ministry. He earned degrees at Gardner- Webb College (B.A)1979 and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (MD) 1981. He ministered at a number of churches, including his home church of Longleaf Baptist Church in Wilmington. He became senior minister at First Baptist Church (FBC) in Woodstock Georgia (1986 -December 2019). FBC Woodstock when he joined had about 1,000 members , It grew to more than 19,000 members during his 33 years of ministry and is now one of the largest churches in the USA. In June 1996 he was named President of SBC Pastor’s Conference. On 11th March 1997 the Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching was established at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In June 2008 he became president of the SBC (2008-10). He has also received 3 honorary doctorates for his work in ministry. November 2016 he celebrated his 40 years in ministry and 30 years of serving as senior pastor at FBC ,Woodstock. He published 12 books . (see Publications) In August 2018 he announced, with his wife Janet, he would be transitioning out of his full time pastoral position to fulfill a Senior VP ministry for the North American Mission Board. Others That singular focus summarizes the contagious passion that Pastor Johnny has imparted to the countless lives across the globe that his preaching and shepherding have touched. Sources used The preaching Ministry of Johnny Hunt wikipedia

Zacharias Ursinus (born Zacharias Baer) was a sixteenth century German theologian born in Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland). He is best known as a professor of theology at the University of Heidleberg and co-author with Caspar Olevianus of the Heidelberg Catechism. Aged 15 he enrolled at Wittenberg University and boarded with Philipp Melanchthon for the next 7 years. . In 1561 Prince Frederick III, elector palatine, appointed him professor in the Colleguim Sapientiae at Heidelberg (1561-76). This was on the recommendation of Peter Martyr, the Italian Reformer. Zacharias supplied the preliminary drafts for the Heidelberg Catechism (HC) and participated in the final revision of the document alongside other theologians, including Caspar Olevianus- the superintendent of the Palatinate church and other church leaders. In 1563 the Heidelberg Catechism was completed. Prince Frederick III hoped the result would form a basis for a reconciliation between the Protestant German churches. It failed to reconcile the Protestant groups in Germany but it was widely accepted and used. It has now been translated into more than 25 languages. (For further info. read H C and Heidelblog) Prince Frederick III died in 1576. The accession of the Lutheran Ludwig IV led to the removal of Zacharias. He then occupied the professorial chair at the Casmirianum, a Reformed academy at Neustadt an der WistraBe ( or Haardt) from 1578 until his death in 1583. He died, aged 48,on 6th May 1583 at Neustadt an der WistraBe. Zacharias’ Works were published between 1587-9. A more complete edition was published by his son and 2 of his pupils, David Pareus and Quirninius Reuter, in 1612. His collected catechical lectures were prominent theological handbooks and popular among seventeen century Reformed Christians in the Netherlands. Ursinus College in Collegeville. Pennsylvania, is a liberal arts college founded in 1869 in his name. Zacharias Ursinus is best known as the principal author and interpreter of the Heidelberg Catechism. Note Caspar Olevianus (1536-87) was formerly asserted as a co-author of HC but this theory has been largely discard by modern scholarship. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia FamilySearch Wiki Wikipedia

Roger was born in London, England. he became am English colonist in New England and was the founder of Rhode Island and a pioneer of religious liberty. His father was a merchant tailor. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1630 he left his post as chaplain to Sir William Masham to pursue his completely Nonconformist religious ideals in New England. 1631 he arrived in Boston. He refused to associate with the Anglican Puritans and in 1632 moved to the Separatist Plymouth Colony. In 1633, after a disagreement , back in Salem. 1634 invited to be pastor at church in Salem but banished from Massachusetts Bay by civil authorities for his dangerous opinions. January 1636 he set out for Narragansett Bay where the Narraganett Indians lived. From the Indian chiefs, Canonicus and Miantonomi he purchased land. The original deed remains in the Archives of the City of Providence. In founding Rhode Island in 1636 he revoked many of society’s norms. He established the separation of church and state by removing religious doctrine from governance of the colony. His beliefs on equality extended to the Native Americans and enslaved people. He purchased Providence and Rhode Island in deeds and goods from the Narragansett Indians. It may have been the first legal deed entered upon in the New World. Many of principles forged on Rhode Island found their way into the US Bill of Rights and the US Constitution. Roger returned twice to England. In June or July 1643 he came to claim a charter for the providence Plantations in Narragansett Bay. In 1651, having sold his trading post, he returned to have the charter confirmed. He then returned to Rhode Island before 1654. He was Governor of the Colony from 1654-8. John Clarke finally got the Royal Charter from King Charles II on 8th July 1663. During the King Philip’s War 1675/6 most of the Province was burnt but he lived to see it rebuilt. He continued to preach and the Colony grew through its acceptance of settlers of different religious persuasions. Roger was the first major figure in colonial America to instill democracy, religious freedom and understanding and inclusion of America’ nature cultures. Through his scholarship in language,theology and law and fearless advocacy for freedom and tolerance, Roger’s life reflected the value of learning and teaching. Roger was a visionary, a revolutionary, a radical and a rebel. His advocacy for religious liberty, equality and a government free from religion forced him to flee persecution from his native England and then cost him exile from colonial Massachusetts. Roger was a vigorous controversialist and a prolific writer. In 1956 Roger Williams Junior College became a 2 year ,degree granting institution. In 1992 it became the Roger Williams University (RWU). 1993 it established the RWU School of Law. Today RWU is a leading education institute serving 5,400 students. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Family Association Roger William’s University

Walter was a prominent Baptist theologian and educator on the faculty of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) at Fort Worth, Texas from 1910 to 1949. Walter was born at Rowell, Arkansas on 19th January 1877. Aged 15 his family moved to the West Texas community of Tebo (now Tye). Education 1896-8 Simmons College (now Hardin-Simmons Uni.) 1908 Baylor University M.A. 1908 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary degree 1910 Rochester Theological Seminary B.D. 1916 Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) Th.D 1931 SBTS Ph.D. He was baptized by W.M. Reynolds and received into the fellowship of Harmony Baptist Church (HBC) at Caps, Texas. He was ordained by HBC in 1899 where he was serving as pastor. He served as pastor at a number of other Baptist churches. Walter’s enduring legacy to Southern Baptist life lies in his 39 year teaching career at SBTS. He joined SBTS in 1910. Systematic theology was his main responsibility he distinguished himself as the preeminent Southern Baptist theologian during the 1930s and 1940s. He was able to communicate with both laymen and scholars. His theological works reflect a biblical rather than a systematic approach. In the Southern Baptist Convention he often lectured at conferences and assemblies and spoke at state and national conventions. The Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board used him as a counsellor and advisor in selecting missionary candidates. He was a member of the Southwestern Society of Biblical Study and Research. Walter gave the Wilkinson Lectures at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago in 1946. He wrote 15 books and numerous articles for professional journals and periodicals. Walter’s complete theological system is apparently best expressed in his works - *Revelation and God (1936) and The Gospel of Redemption (1945). Walter died on 26th May 1952 and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth. Sources used Encyclopedia.com TSHA Texas State Historical association THE wikipedia

Matthew Henry was a nonconformist minister and author. He was born in Wales but spent most of his life in England. He founded in Presbyterian Chapel in Trinity Street, Chester. He is best remembered for his 6 volume biblical commentary Exposition of the Old and New Testaments. Matthew was born on the Broad Oak family estate which bordered Flintshire and Shropshire. He was baptized the next day by the parish rector. As a young child he was frequently ill with fevers. His father provided much of Henry’s early education and by the age of 9 he was able to write Latin and read part of the Greek New Testament. In 1668 he was tutored in grammar by William Turner. Aged 18 he was sent to a school in Islington, London to be tutored by Thomas Doolittle. He then transfered to Grey’s Inn to study Law. He also studied French and Literature. He then gave up his law studies for theology. His friend George Illidge invited him to give his first sermon at Nantwich. In 1686 he was invited to move to Chester. England to establish a congregation. Reluctant at first he accepted and was ordained on 9th May 1687. He continued to live in Chester until 1712. He married twice, Katherine Hardware and Mary Warburton. Matthew spent significant amounts of time studying and writing his sermons and lectures in advance. After he had established himself in Chester he began to travel almost weekly to speak in nearby cities. His impassioned expository speaking style was well received by his listeners and contributed to his growing popularity but his speaking engagements began to impact on his health. He was frequently ill with fevers. In 1698 he travelled to speak in London, for the first time since moving to Chester. He stopping at various places to speak on the way down. The congregation in Chester grew and in 1699 he oversaw the construction of a new building- the Presbyterian Chapel in Trinity Street. In 1704 he travelled to London again. In August he fainted while he was speaking. It took 3 weeks for him to recover. 18th May 1712 he and his family moved to Mare Street, Hackney. He kept busy by giving catechetical lectures in London and his Bible commentary was approaching the publication stage. 1713 his health continued to decline - he had frequent attacks of nephritis (kidney problems) but he continued to maintain his frequent speaking engagements and work on his commentary. 21st June, on his way to Nantwich, he was thrown off his horse. He denied injury to his companions and insisted on continuing his journey. His companions noted he lacked energy and they stopped at the Queen’s Aid House. The next day,22nd June, he lost consciousness and died. Matthew’s legacy is his Bible commentaries. Charles Spurgeon stated, *Every minister ought to read it entirely and carefully through once at least. * ( Read also John Wesley long comment) Sources used wikipedia

Cornelius, born Kornelis, was a Dutch- American Christian Philosopher and Reformed theologian who has been credited as being the originator of Modern presuppositional apologetics. Cornelius was born in Grootsgast, Netherlands. At the age of 10 his family moved to Highland, Indiana. USA. He graduated from Calvin college in 1922. He received a ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1927. He received a PhD from Princeton University in 1927. For 2 years he taught at Princeton before moving, with the conservative group , to the new Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) in1929 . He spent 43 years at WTS as professor of apologetics and systematic theology. On retiring in 1972 he continued to teach occasionally until 1979. He was also a minister in the Christian Reformed Church in North America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church from the 1930s until his death in 1987. Cornelius is probably best known for the development of a fresh approach to the task of defending the Christian faith. His apologetics focused on the role of presuppositions, the point of contact between believers and unbelievers, and the antithesis between Christian and non-Christian view points ( He did not like the ‘label’ o f ’ presuppositional’ but accepted it as a matter of convention.) He also argued that the Trinity is of indispensable and insuperable value to a Christian philosophy. He was also embroiled in a bitter dispute with Gordon Clark over God’s incomprehensibility known as the Clark-Van Til Controversy. Cornelius’ ‘ground motive’ of a Christian philosophy was that it must be derived from the historical terms of the Christian faith. Sources used Theopedia wikipedia

Merrill Chaplin Tenney was an American professor of New Testament and Greek and author of several books. He was general editor of the Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary and served on the original translation team of the New American Standard Bible. Merrill was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He earned diploma (1924), Th.B (1927), A.M. (1930), and a Ph.D. (1944). He married Helen Margaret Jaderquist (1904-78) in 1930. He served as pastor of Storrs Avenue Baptist Church, in Braintree, Massachusetts (1926-8) at the same time as teaching at Gordon College while he was still a student there. He joined the faculty after graduation and was professor of New Testament and Greek until 1944 when he moved to Wheaton College. From 1947-1971 he was dean of the graduate school. In 1951 he became the second president of the Evangelical Theological Society. In 1975 a volume of essays entitled Current Issues in Biblical and patristic Interpretation was published in his honour. He retired in 1977 but continued teaching as professor emeritus until 1982. Under Selected Works 8 books are mentioned and under Articles and Chapters 8 are mentioned. Merrill died in Wheaton on March 18th, 1985.

Arthur Walkington Pink was an English Bible teacher who sparked a renewed interest in the exposition of Calvinism or Reformed Theology. Arthur was born in Nottingham, England. He desired to become a minister but was unwilling to attend a liberal theological college in the UK. He briefly studied at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1910. He took a pastorate of the Congregational church in Silverton, Colorado.He then took on joint pastorates in rural Burkesville and Albany in Kentucky. In 1916 he married a local girl from Kentucky - Vera E. Russell (1893-1962). In 1917 they moved to Spantanburg, South Carolina. He had his first 2 books published in 1917/8. He also published his first edition of The Sovereignty of God (1918). The modified version of the book was republished by* Banner of Truth* in 1961 and by 2004 had sold 177,000 copies. In January 1922 he published the first issue of Studies in the Scriptures. By the end of the first year he about 1,000 subscribers. This ended up as 17 volumes and became the source for dozens of books. IN 1923 he suffered a nervous breakdown. On regaining his health they sailed to Sydney, Australia. He served as both an evangelist and Bible teacher at the Ashfield Tabernacle. Bur his impolitic (rude) preaching Calvinistic doctrine resulted in him not having his position endorsed. He served as pastor of 2 groups of Strict and Particular baptists. He returned to the UK and was invited to preach at a pastorless church in Seaton, Devon. Members thought he would split the church. The couple returned to Kentucky, Vera’s home state. He hoped to become the pastor of the Baptist church in Morton’s gap. His hopes again are dashed. In 1933 his father dies and Arthur receives enough estate so the couple can live a simple life without financial concerns for the rest of his life. The year is 1934 Arthur has reached the point where he believes his ministry is in writing , not preaching and returns to the UK. 1936 they move to Hove, near Brighton. During WW11 (1939-45) Hove is a regular target for German Air raids. They make their last move - Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Arthur governs his time in study and writing with ‘military precision’. In 1951 Vera was aware Arthur was losing weight and in pain. He refused to take any medicine in case it might dull his mind and hinder him from compleing his work. On 15th July 1952 he died. *‘The Scriptures explain themselves’ were his last words. After his death there was a major shift of evangelical opinion toward Calvinist theology. In 1982 Baker Book House published 22 of Arthur’s books and sold 350,000 total copies. 'Sovereignty of God’ did more than any other in redirecting the thinking of a younger generation. (177,000 copies by 2004). Arthur was eventually ‘heard’ through his books not his sermons. Sources used Google search wikipedia

John Foxe was a Puritan preacher and author of one of the most important and influential books ever printed of the Christian religion after the Bible John Foxe (1516-1587)was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England during the reign of the Tudors. Henry V111 (1509-1547) Edward V! (1547-53) Jane Grey (1553) Mary 1 (1553-8) Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603. During the reign of these monarchs he wrote *Acts and Monuments of Matters Happening in the Church (1563) It was commonly known as ‘* Foxe’s Book of Martyrs’* or Book of the Martyrs *It is hard to over emphasis the impact his Acts and Monuments had the 20 years following its 1563 publication. By the second edition (1570) it was part of the national myth … Foxe provided a history and theology for the triumph of the Reformation. David Loades, historian Lets go back to the beginning. John, aged 16 entered Brasenose College, Oxford. He went onto Magdalen College to earn a BA (1537). He lectured logic in 1540/1. Earned a MA (1543). He wrote several Latin plays on Scriptural subjects. he had become a fellow of Magdalen College in 1539 but resigned in 1545. He had come under suspicion of harbouring Protestant views more extreme than the authorities of his college would allow. He moved to London where he became the tutor to the grand children of the duke of Norfolk. Ordained deacon and worked for the reformation writing several tracts. Began his account of martyrs. Fled overseas when Mary1 became queen- a Roman Catholic. First copy published in Latin (1554), in Strasbourg, France containing his partially completed martyrology. With manuscripts sent to him from England he carried his account of the martyrs up to 1556 (printed) Returned to England with Elizabeth 1 - a Protestant queen now on the throne- to complete his great work. In 1560 ordained Anglican priest.He perused official registers and using memories of eyewitnesses, he enlarged the story. His English translation was printed under the title Acts and Monuments of these Letters and Perillous Dayes (1563) ( For FULL title see The First English Edition). There was a second (1570), third !1576) and fourth edition (!583) The Bible aside, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs stands as one of the most important and influential books ever printed in Christian history. It remains the only exhaustive reference work on the history of Christian Martyrs. Its popularity was immense among the people at the time it was written John Foxe’s monument is his book. He died on 8th April 1587 and was Buried at St. Giles’s Cripplegate. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Christianity Today English Bible History

John Gresham Machen was an American Presbyterian theologian and fundamentalist leader. John was the founder of the Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) (1929) in Philadelphia. He was also one of the founders of theOrthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) (1936). John was born into a prominent family in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Some time in his youth he came to a personal faith in Christ but there was no dramatic conversion experience. On 4 th January 1896 he publicly professed his faith and became a member off the Flanklin Street Presbyterian Church… He studied at John Hopkins University, Princeton Theological Seminary and the universities at Marburg and Gottingen in Germany. John taught at Princeton Seminary from 1906 until he left in 1929. In his book Christianity and Liberalism (1923) he had criticized liberal Protestantism as being unbiblical and unhistorical and struggled to preserve the conservative character of the Princeton Theological Seminary. He left Princeton after the school was reorganized and adopted a more accepting attitude towards liberal Protestantism. His fight for Christianity cost him a great deal. Not only did he lose his position at Princeton, but his church also declared him guilty of insubordination and stripped him of his credentials as a minister. ( History WTS) 1929 John founded a new school - Westminster Theological Seminary. He took with him senior faculty members of Princeton and some bright scholars. WTS soon became, and still is, one of the most highly regarded Christian reformed institutes in the world, with commitment to the Word of God. (Read last paragraph of ‘History’) The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) was founded on 11th June 1936. It was originally called Presbyterian Church of America but following a threat of a lawsuit it had to change its name in 1939. OPC has slowly grown to over 30,000 members with over 300 churches. John was one of its founders and was its first Moderator John Gresham Machen, who died from pneumonia on New Year’s Day 1937, was a major theological voice in support of conservative Christianity. Machen left the prestige of Princeton to stand for the truth of the Bible. He knew that theological compromise would harm the spiritual power of the church. (History WTS) Sources Banner of the Truth UK Britannica Online Encyclopedia History Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) Orthodox Presbyterian Church

James served as a Southern Baptist pastor, theologian, author, seminary professor and founder and first president oft the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). He was born at Charleston, South Carolina. James was educated at Brown University under Francis Wayland, whose evangelical sermons contributed to James conversion. James served as editor of the Southern Baptist when he graduated. In 1849 he then went to Princeton Theological Seminary under Charles Hodge who led James to appreciate Calvinistic theology. He completed the 3 year course in 2 years. He then served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina until 1855 when he was offered the chance to join the faculty at South Carolina’s Furman University (SCFU) as professor of theology. James enjoyed teaching at SCFU but he wanted to begin a Baptist seminary for southerners. In his famous 1856 inaugural address on Three Changes in Theological Education he presented his educational philosophy for a theological school. With the help of fellow southern Baptists he brought his vision to life - Southern Seminary (SS) opened in Greenville in 1859. For nearly 30 years years he served SS 's as defacto president. He proved himself to be a skillful fund-raiser and administrator. He finally took the title in 1888- the year he died.His talent as an executive fostered competition for his talents but he stayed at SS. He taught theology from 1859 until 1888. He wrote a catechism and a book Abstract of systematic Theology (1887). The book was used for many years in the department. He led a Sunday School class at Broadway Baptist church and served as president for Southern Baptist Convention (1872-9 and 1888). In 1888 he became ill and he took the opportunity to recover in Europe. His heart lifted when he met Charles Spurgeon. Reports indicated James was suffering from gout and while travelling his condition worsened and became fatal. He died in Pau, France on 28th December 1888. James’ legacy lives onto this day through the seminary he devoted his life to establishing and preserving. - Our Presidents Sources used Amazon Southern Seminary wikipedia

Rev. Dr. John Rippon was an English Baptist Minister. In 1787 he published an important hymnal A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix toDr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns - commonly known as * Rippon’s Selection* He was pastor to the Tabernacle Fellowship, which now meets at The Metropolitan Tabernacle, for 63 years. John Rippon was born at Tiverton, Devonshire, England. Aged about 16 he was called by divine grace to follow Jesus. Aged 17 he attended Bristol baptist College. At the close of his preparatory course he was invited to supply the pulpit of the particular baptist Church, Carter Lane, Tooley Street London left vacant after the death of eminent and venerable pastor the Rev. Dr. John Gill. John had neither the talents nor the learning of his predecessor but he was bold, witty and ready in speech. His preaching was lively, affectionate and impressive Having preached for a year on trial he was ordained pastor of the church on 11th November 1773. He stayed for the next 63 years. His congregation was the Tabernacle Fellowship which in his time there became the largest Baptist congregation in the land. Today it is the famous The Metropolitan Tabernacle. (See ‘Brief History’) Rippon’s Selection was very successful- reprinted 27 times in over 200,000 copies. He was considered to be the foremost authority on the hymns of Isaac Watts. He wrote several other guides about Watts - 1773, 1774, 1801 and 1816. He also published a considerable number of sermons, discourses and addresses. For 12 years he edited the Baptist Annual Register. (1790-1802)- this gave the brethren in Europe and American an organ through which they might address each other. John finished his long and useful life on the 17th December 1836. At the time of his death he was working on a book commemorating those buried in London’s Dissenter cemetery, Bunhill Fields , where he himself was buried. Sources used Baptist Quarterly Hymnology Archive How Firm a Foundation The Reformed Reader wikipedia

Isaac was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England. His father was in prison at the time because of his nonconformist sympathies - he was eventually released. Young Isaac showed genius early. He was learning Latin by the age of 4, Greek at 9, French by 11 and Hebrew by 13. The fact that his father was a nonconformist meant that his bright child could not go to either Oxford or Cambridge university. At 16 he went to study at the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington, London (1690- 4). After graduation he spent the next 2 years at home. During this time the bulk of the Hymns and Spiritual Songs ( eventually published in 1707-9) were written and sung from manuscripts in the Southampton chapel. He spent the next 6 years as tutor to the son of Sir John Hartopp. During this time he began to accumulate theological and philosophical materials which he published subsequently. Isaac preached his first sermon when he was 24. In 1699 Isaac was appointed assistant minister of London’s Mark Lane Independent chapel - then one of the city’s most influential independent churches. In March 1702 he became full pastor. Apparently he was an inspiring preacher. His first collection of hymns and sacred lyrics was *Horae Lyricae *(1706). In 1703 he began to suffer from a psychiatric illness which would plague him for the rest of his life. 1712 a fever chattered his constitution. His illness and unsightly appearance took its toll. His 5 foot, pale, skinny frame was topped by a disproportionately over sized head. He had to pass off more and more of his work to Mr Samuel Price, his assistant. He resigned in 1712. He accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney at Abney Park- intending to stay a week . At Sir Thomas’ request it became his home for the rest of his life. He preached whenever his delicate health would permit and he continued to write. Besides using Psalms and writing hymns he wrote religious songs especially for children Divine Songs for the Use of Children (1719). He also wrote educational books on geography, astronomy, grammar and philosophy which were widely used throughout the 18th century. The hymns he wrote include When I Survey the Wondrous Cross , Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Jesus Shall Reign It is as a writer of psalms and hymns that he is known everywhere. Some of his hymns were written to be sung after his sermon, giving expression to the meaning of the text upon which he had preached. Isaac died on 25th November 1748. he was buried in the Puritan resting place at Bunhill Fields, BUT a monument was erected to him in Westminster Abbey. Montgomery calls Isaac the greatest name among hymn writers and the honour can hardly be disputed. His published hymns number more than 800. Sources used Britannia Online Encyclopedia Chritianity Today Hymnary.org

Dr.John Gill was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar and theologian who held firm to the Calvinistic doctrine of salvation. John was the first major writing Baptist theologian. His church at Goat Yard Chapel would in the future become The Metropolitan Tabernacle… He was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire and attended the grammar school there. He mastered the Latin classics and learned Greek by the age of 11. At the age of 12 he heard a sermon on the text And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis ch.3 v 9. This stayed with but it was not until he was 18 that he made a public profession. At the age of 21 he began his first pastoral work as an intern for John Davis at Higham Ferrers. Aged just 22 he began his 51 year pastorate at the Strict Baptist church at Goat Yard Chapel, Horsleydown, Southwark. His congregation needed a larger premises so they moved to Carter Lane, St. Olave’s Street, Southwark. This would later become the New Park Street Chapel and then The Metropolitan Tabernacle - which today has the largest Baptist congregation in the U.K… John was a profound scholar and a prolific author. He was one of the greatest biblical scholars of his time. His Bible commentaries remain in print to this day. Works of John Gill a veritable cornucopia of Biblical knowledge Amazon (See list of Various works) He continued self-study in everything from logic to Hebrew. His love of Hebrew remained throughout his life. John supported George Whitefield at Kennington Gardens. In 1739 the earliest sermons on the ’ Great Awakening’ brought 1000s to experience new birth. ( see ‘Great Awakening’ notes) Sources used Amazon History Great Awakening Metropolitan Tabernacle wikipedia

Benajah Harvey Carroll known as B. H. Carroll was a Baptist pastor, theologian, teacher and author. and founder of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1908) He was born near Carrollton, in Carroll County, north central Mississippi. he was one of 12 children. His father was a Baptist minister. He served in the Confederate States of America army (1862-4). Aged 21/2 he converted to Christianity following a revival meeting. B.H. pastored multiple churches. He spent 28 years at the First baptist church of Waco. he was instrumental in the formation of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the consolidation of the 2 Texas Baptist colleges into Baylor University. Aged 65, and not in the best of health, he had a vision while on a train journey through the Texas Panhandle. He visualized multitude of of preachers with limited education hungering for a better education. The year was 1905. B.H. wasted no time in seeking to fulfill his vision - by March 4th 1908 the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) was founded. He became its first president. In 1910 it moved from Baylor University in Waco to Fort Worth Hill. (Read the full story SWBTS Legacy: B.H. Carroll) B.H. published 33 volumes of works. The best known is his 17 volume commentary Interpretations of the English Bible. Benajah Harvey Carroll fell into a coma and died on the 11 th November 1914 Lord God, I am glad I am a preacher, that I am a preacher of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. B.H. Carroll J. B Cranfill, who had B.H. for his pastor for 12 years, in Life Sketch of B.H. Carroll (1908) and The Passing of B.H. Carroll (1914 ) gives us further insight into this great Baptist minister which he held in high esteem. We are told he was a great reader -100s of pages a day- he had a great memory, a marvelous preacher, a peerless statesman, a marvelous teacher, an able writer, a great scholar. Above everything he was a heroic Christian and a true and faithful friend. B.H.’ s funeral was in SWBTS chapel. Cranfill said the Eulogy. He spoke about the funeral happening around the silent form of B.H. Carroll in his own monument. This will be his monument and will be his monument through all the years to come. Sources used wikipedia Southwestern Baptist theological Seminary Baptist History Homepage

Augustus Montague Toplady was an Anglican cleric and hymn writer. He is best remembered as the author of the hymn ‘Rock of Ages’. Augustus was born in Farnham, Surrey, England. His father Richard, who was probably Irish, was a major in the Royal Marines. He fought in the War of Jenkin’s Ear (1739-42) and died most likely from yellow fever. This meant his mother, Catherine, raised the boy alone. They moved to Westminster and he attended the local school from 1750-55. They moved to Ireland where he attended Trinity College, Dublin. August 1755 Augustus heard a sermon preached by James Morris in a barn in Codymain, co. Wexford . The text was Ephesians ch 2 v 13 *But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who were sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. He remembered this sermon when he received his effectual calling from God. Having under gone his conversion under the preaching of a Methodist preacher he initially followed John Wesley in supporting Arminianism. Aged 18 he read other material by Thomas Manton and Jerome Zanchius which convinced him that Calvinism was correct. (See Calvinism - Arminian debate etc. sheets) 1759 Augustus, aged 19, published his first book Poems of Sacred Subjects. 1760 graduated from Trinity College and returned to Westminster. John Gill encouraged him to publish his translation of Jerome Zanchius’ work on predestination. 1762 ordained as an Anglican deacon and appointed curate at Blagdon in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. 1763 wrote Rock of Ages. 1764 ordained priest. In 1766 he becomes the incumbent, through simony (bought by the church), of Harpford and Venn Ottery, 2 villages in Devon. He moves to the Devon village of Broadhembury where he stays until his death in 1778 -but from 1775 he has leave of absence. The Calvinist controversy went on for 9 years (1768-78). Augustus Toplady v John Wesley. Arminianism v Calvinism. Was the Church of England historically Calvinist or Arminian? The debate peaked when Augustus in 1774 when he published his 700 page The Historic Proof of the Doctrinal Calvinism of the Church of England. (See’ Calvinist controversialist: 1769-78’) Toplady and Wesley relationship had initially been cordial but it became increasingly bitter. He spent the last 3 years of his life mainly in London. preaching regularly in a French Calvinist(!) chapel in Orange steer, off the Haymarket. His volume of psalms and hymns for Public and private worship were published in 1776. Of the 419 hymns several were written by him. Augustus of died tuberculosis on 11th August 1778. He is buried at Whitefield’s Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Road. Thank you for Rock of Ages He was impulsive, rash-spoken, reckless in misjudgement; but a flame of genuine devoutness burned in the fragile lamp of his overtasked and wasted body. Rev. A.B. Grosart, D.D., LL.D. Sources used 5 minutes in Church History Britannica Online Encyclopedia hymnary.org John Wesley’s Journal wikipedia

Benjamin was a Particular Baptist preacher and author in London whose name was given to the Keach’s Catechism. As a prominent nonconformist leader and prolific writer, he helped shape the theological development of the Particular baptists as they struggled through persecution and finally emerged under legal toleration near the end of the 16th century. Benjamin was born in Buckinghamshire and in his early years worked as a tailor. Aged 15 he was baptized and began to preach at 18. His first congregation was in Winslow. In 1668 he became the pastor at Horsleydown, Southwark where he remained for 36 years. Benjamin or William Collins wrote a Catechism which became known as Keach’s Catechism. It was written to clarify the theology of the Second Baptist Confession that was written in 1677 and published in 1689 as The Baptist Confession of Faith… He wrote 60 books of which his Parables and Metaphors of Scripture may be the best known. (See ’ Works’ for list 12 of his books) The Child’s Instructor (1664) resulted in him being persecuted, fined and pilloried (put in stocks) in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. *The people, contrary to custom had no words of mockery for the good, persecuted minister and no offensive missile was thrown at him. (See picture) Around 1673 he was amongst those leading a campaign to introduce congregational hymn singing. This left to public discourse on whether or not singing was appropriate in worship, and if so what types of song were acceptable. Benjamin’s hymnbook, published In 1691, provoked heated debate in the 1692 Assembly of Particular Baptists. For many years Benjamin preached powerfully to a large congregations in a building which had to be enlarged several times. His congregation later became the New Park Street Church and then eventually moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Sources GotQuestions.org Metropolitan Tabernacle Theopedia wikipedia

Dr.Peter Masters has been the minister at of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London since 1970. He founded the Evangelical Times in 1967. He directs the School of Theology, an annual Christmas conference for pastors and Christian workers. Peter has been at the Metropolitan Tabernacle now for 40 years. He continues to edit The Sword and Trowel started by the great Charles Spurgeon in 1865. Peter founded the London Reformed Baptist Seminary (LRBS) in 1976 and directs the further studies of both pastors and fledgling pastors in the Tabernacle’s seminary. The LRBS went on line in 2011. In October 2014 the 2 courses - the part time for those living in the UK and the online course for those overseas were merged, enabling those in the UK to follow the course online. Peter has published 28 books which have been translated into 28 languages. (See ‘Authorship’ fro list of 28 ) ( See ’ Selected works currently printed’ for titles of his books.) His sermons have been broadcast in the UK since 2003. On the Sky channel UCB initially but they they were transfered to Sky channel Revelation TV in 2013. These broadcasts are aired every Saturday at 8 pm and include a sermon from Peter and an accompanying apologetic or biographical feature. There are other channels too. The programmes are carried by a number of overseas radio stations including the USA and New Zealand Evangelical Times was founded in 1967 by Peter. It is a monthly, conservative evangelical newspaper. Peter was the original editor , Mike Judge, pastor of Chorlton Evangelical church is the current editor. I have included pictures and a brief history of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The Tabernacle Fellowship goes back to the year 1650. The ‘Brief History’ finishes with these words. By 1970, our ranks had fallen to the point where we occupied only a few pews, but the Lord refreshed us and blessed our testimony giving rise to the full church and galleries of today. We give all the glory to Him for the large number of people who have come into the Tabernacle over the past forty years, for numerous professions of faith, and for the various ministries which have been established. The church have to thank the Lord and Dr. Peter Masters’ ministry for its revival. Sources Metropolitan Tabernacle Google search

William was an English poet and hymnodist. He was one of the most popular poets of his time. He changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. I have just concentrated on his life as a hymnodist, William was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. His father John Cowper was the rector of St. Peter’s church. He lost his mother 6 years later when she died giving birth to his brother John. He went to Westminster school in 1742. He was a Latin scholar. In 1750 he began to study law. He was then articled to Mr. Chapman, a solicitor, to be trained as a lawyer. He was called to the bar in 1754 and took chambers in London’s Middle Temple. By this time he was beginning to show signs of the mental instability which would plague him for the rest of his life. In 1763 he was offered a Clerkship of Journals in the House of Lords but broke under the strain of the approaching examinations. He tried 3 times to commit suicide and was confined for 18 months to Nathaniel Cotton’s asylum at St. Albans for 18 months. He was troubled by religious doubts and fears and persistently dreaming of his predestined damnation. On recovery religion provided the comfort for William’s convalescence. He went to Huntingdon where he lodged with Rev. Morley Unwin, his wife Mary and their small family. Morley in 1767 died in a riding accident and they moved to Olney in Buckinghamshire. In Olney the curate, John Newton, encouraged William in a life of practical evangelism . That failed as his doubt and melancholy returned. But William and John collaborated on a book of religious verse- Olney Hymns - which was eventually published in 1779. This included Praise for the Fountain Opened, and Light shining out of darkness. 1773 William experienced another attack of insanity. When he recovered the following year his religious fervour was gone. Poetry and Hymns, in my opinion, are closely linked. Inspiration for both can come from loved ones. 50 years after his mother’s death he wrote* On the Receipt of My Mother’s Picture. * In his student days he became engaged to his cousin Theodora Cowper. Mary Unwin helped him recover from his illness and they became very close after her husband’s death. A further relapse into near madness in 1773 put paid to the idea of marriage. In 1781 Lady Austen, a charming widow, inspired William to write new poetry. In 1786 he became close to Lady Harriet Hesketh - Theodora’s sister. William was seized with dropsy in the spring of 1800 and he died on the 25th of April. He was buried in the chapel of St. Thomas of Canterbury. There are stained glass windows in East Dereham and in St. Peter’s Berkhamsted. Robert Southey between 1835-7 edited William’s 15 volumes of writings. William Cowper is considered one of the best writers of English and some of his hymns have become part of the heritage of English churches. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Wikipedia

Edward Joshua Poole-Connor was an evangelical preacher and Christian leader. He served as secretary of the North African Mission (now known as Arab World Ministries) between his 2 pastorates at The Talbot Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. He founded the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), helped administer the The Lord’s Day Observance Society ( now called DayOne) and was a regular speaker at Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony conferences. He was also a founding member of the London Bible College. Edward was born in Hackney, London, on 27th July 1872. He was a delicate child. His strict parents were of Irish extraction and devout Christians. Sunday , the Lord’s day, was the happiest day of the week. He was converted early in life - some of his Sunday school pupils were older than the teacher! Aged 21 he was baptized by immersion and took charge of Aldershot Baptist church (1893-7). He then had a short pastorate in London followed by 10 happy years in Surbiton wher he made friends with Dr. Barnardo. He sat and passed the Ministerial Recognition Examination of the Baptist Union. He later left the Baptist Union because of the ‘Downgrade’ controversy. (See Spurgeon notes) He became assistant pastor to W.Fuller Gooch , at the unsectarian Lansdown Hall at West Norwood. In 1913 he was invited to Talbot Tabernacle as pastor. His two pastoral periods were divided by his service to the North Africa Mission which took him to the Barbary states in North Africa. In 1922 Edward took steps to form *Fellowship of Independent Churches (FIC) which is now called Fellowship of Independent Evangelic Churches (FIEC). Later he serves the fellowship as national Commissioner. After WW 11 he was Honorary Principal of All Nations Bible College for 3 years. Edward visited a number of European countries. Aged 80 he did a preaching and lecturing tour of the USA. On the death of Mr. W.E. Dalling he undertook the task of editing Bible League Quarterly. which is still being published. He also found time to publish 9 books. ( See ‘Writings’) For 40 years he was a welcome speaker on the *Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony platform. Edward’s ministry spanned the most turbulent period in British church life, from the time of Charles Spurgeon to the 1960s, and whose record and analysis of its events has been widely observed. Sources used wikipedia Writings of others The Tabernacle FIEC