Cennick, John

(1718-1755)

   Born in Reading, Berkshire, to Church of England parents, at a young age he became linked to the Methodists in the very early days of the movement and gave up a career as a surveyor. John Wesley appointed him a teacher at Kingswood School, Bristol, and it was there where he preached his first public sermon on June 14, 1739. Because of doctrinal differences, he left the Wesleys and aligned himself with George Whitefield. Later still he joined the Moravian Brethren and was ordained by them in 1749. He is buried in the Moravian Burial Ground, Chelsea, England. He published several volumes of sermons and four collections of hymns: Sacred Hymns for the Children of God in the Day of their Pilgrimage, 1741, Sacred Hymns for the Use of Religious Societies, 1743, A Collection of Sacred Hymns, 1749, and Hymns for the Honor of Jesus Christ. 1754. Some of his hymns: "Be Present at Our Table, Lord," Children of the Heavenly King," "Ere I Sleep, for Every Favor," "Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending," "We Sing to Thee, Thou Son of God," "We Thank Thee, Lord."

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition, 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Papers of John Cennick - Collection 150 (www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/150.htm). The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/index.htm). The National Portrait Gallery (www.npg.org.uk). The Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) Hymnbook (http://igracemusic.com/igracemusic/hymnbook).