158 THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED
Hymns, and Toplady s Collection, 1776. It is not certain that the additional lines were written by Bakewell (see Julian). It was added to the Methodist hymn-book in 1797, omitted in 1808, again inserted in 1831. A fifth verse, from James Allen s Collection of Hymns, I757> has not established its place in general favour.
Soon we shall with those in glory,
His transcendent grace relate ; Gladly sing th amazing story
Of His dying love so great. In that blessed contemplation,
We for evermore shall dwell ; Crown d with bliss and consolation
Such as none below can tell.
John Bakewell was born at Brailsford, Derbyshire, 1721. Boston s Fourfold State, which he read at the age of eighteen, turned his thoughts to religion, and he became one of Wesley s Preachers in 1749. For some years he conducted the Green wich Royal Park Academy. He introduced Methodism into the place, and in his house the first class met, which was after wards carried on by his son-in-law, Dr. James Egan. He died at Lewisham, March 18, 1819, at the age of ninety-eight, and was buried at City Road by Rev. James Creighton, near to Wesley s grave.
Mr. Bakewell had many links to early Methodism. He was present at John Fletcher s ordination at Whitehall in 1757, and afterwards went with him to West Street Chapel, where Fletcher helped Mr. Wesley in his sacramental service. Thomas Olivers stayed with him at Westminster, and wrote The God of Abraham praise during his visit. Thomas Rutherford died in his house at Greenwich. Two of his granddaughters married the Revs. William Moulton and James Rosser. Dr. Moulton, of the Leys School, was thus Mr. Bakewell s great-grandson. His tombstone at City Road says, He adorned the] doctrine of God our Saviour eighty years, and preached His glorious Gospel about seventy years.
His words in the Methodist Magazine for July, 1816, reveal his spirit : May God of His infinite goodness grant that we and all serious Christians of every denomination, may labour for a perfect union of love, and to have our hearts knit together with the bond of peace, that, following after those essential truths in which we all agree, we may all have the same spiritual experi ence, and hereafter attain one and the same kingdom of glory.
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