John Rippon, Baptist clergyman, hynm compiler and writer, was born at Tiverton, Devonshire, England. At age 21 he was called to become interim pastor of the Carter Lane Baptist Church in London, and the following year was named its permanent pastor. He served the Lord in this capacity in this church for the next 63 years. (His predecessor, John Gill, had pastored there for 54 years, making 117 years with just two pastors, probably a record). Rippon was one of the most popular and influential ministers of his day. He edited and published several books; including his most significant contribution to hymnody, Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended as an Appendix to Dr. Watt's Psalms and Hymns (1787). Many editions of this collection were published both in England and America, becoming a source book for subsequent compilers. But today we are indebted to him for those grand old hymns of the church, "All Hail the Power of Jesus's Name" and "How Firm a Foundation."
Joseph Henry Gilmore, Baptist minister, Hebrew instructor and hymnwriter, was born in Boston. Ordained in 1862, he pastored for several years, then began teaching at the Rochester (N.Y.) Theological Seminary, which led to a teaching position at the University of Rochester. He wrote six books, but is best remembered as the author of the hymn "He Leadeth Me! O Blessed Thought."
