Wesley personally led Perronet to faith in Christ. On Tuesday, October 7, 1746, Wesley prayed with Edward Perronet, just on the point of receiving faith. By Friday, Perronet was totally given to Christ. Wesley then set out for Newcastle with his young companion and friend, Perronet, whose heart the Lord hath given him.
Perronet was in many meetings with John Wesley and even though he was a great preacher in his own right, He would never preach in the presence of Wesley. “Wesley was not one to take no for an answer and one day in the middle of a meeting he simply announced to the large crowd that Brother Perronet will now speak. Thinking quickly, Perronet declared, ‘I will now deliver the greatest sermon ever preached on earth.’ He then read the Sermon on the Mount and sat down. This was the kind of man Edward Perronet was, he preferred his brother before himself."
Edward was a capable preacher and sincere follower of Christ. For some reason, however, he developed a strong antagonism towards the Church of England and began to express it in his behavior and speech.
In John Wesley’s journal we find this entry: “Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire. Stones were hurled and windows broken, but he abounded in valor. It was such formative experiences that later led Edward Perronet to write this immortal hymn."
Edward eventually left the Methodist movement over various Methodist policies and settled down with a dissenting congregation, which he pastored until his death in 1792.
In addition to preaching, Edward was also a skilled writer. In the latter years of his life, he published anonymously, in a series of small books, a number of hymns he had composed. One of these books, Occasional Verses, Moral and Sacred, contains as its third entry the hymn titled “On the Resurrection,” that is now known as “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.”
The popularity of this late 18th century hymn may be
partially explained by the fact it is included in hymnals with as many as three
different musical arrangements: Coronation, Diadem and Miles’ Lane. Each tune
reflects a different cultural and denominational context in which this hymn is
sung.
The hymn was originally sung to the tune “Miles Lane,”
written by, William Shrubsole, who was a friend of Edward.
Just a few years after its release, Oliver Holden of Massachusetts composed an alternate tune for it. That tune “Coronation,” is the melody most familiar to us in North America. The tune “Diadem” is popular in Australia and was penned by James Ellor in 1838.
The hymn is often referred to as the “National Anthem of Christendom.”
One of the most dramatic instances of the hymn’s use was found in the experience of the Rev. E. P. Scott in India. He saw an unusual tribesman on the street, and he asked where the man came from. He was told that the man was from a mountain tribe and came only once a year to the major city to trade. Scott also discovered that the gospel had never been taken to that tribe.
After praying about it, he packed up his bags and violin and started in the direction of the mountain village. He traveled for two days and finally found himself in the mountains.
Before he reached their tribe he was accosted and surrounded by them. He had no weapon with him. He had only his violin. He closed his eyes and began to play and sing "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” fully anticipating that he would open his eyes in Heaven. After a few minutes he opened his eyes to steal a look and much to his surprise they had dropped their spears and were looking at him in awe and curiosity. Later, after welcoming him in, he shared with them the glorious story of the Gospel and led many of them to the Lord.
He spent the next two and a half years telling them about Jesus and his love. When Scott had to leave because of his health, the tribespeople escorted him forty miles to where he could get other transportation.
Churchpowermusic.com: Power! There is power in the name of Jesus to save. This is in fact the only way to be saved; to call upon the name of the Lord . . . The name of Jesus also has power to Secure. The Bible says in 1Timothy 2:5 that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man . . . There is power in the name of Jesus to help us. It is comforting to know that Jesus is standing ready to run to our aid when we call for him.
Biblehub.com, Geneva Study Bible: This signifies that the faithful, who do not put their trust in any worldly prosperity but made God their glory, will be preserved.”
Studylight.org; Smith’s Bible Commentary: So here is a crowd now in heaven, a great number of them; however, these are from all over the world, from all of the various races, ethnic groups. Their cry is the same, salvation to our God, who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Biblehub.com; Geneva Study Bible: Three signs of divine honor given to God, prostration or falling down, adoration and casting their crowns before God: in which the godly, though made kings by Christ, willingly empty themselves of all glory, moved with a religious respect for the majesty of God.
Thank God there will come a day when “every tribe and every tongue” will fall prostrate before Him. Albert Barnes said: “To bow the knee” is an act expressing homage, submission, or adoration. It means that every person shall acknowledge Him as God and admit His right to universal dominion. God is all powerful, He is all knowing, and He is all present, this is the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of God. He is the creator of the universe and everything in the universe. As such, He deserves all glory and honor. This world at this time does not recognize God as the only God, but there will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.
