The hymn "Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!" has a fascinating and somewhat complex history, involving two prominent figures from the early Methodist movement: **John Bakewell** and **Thomas Olivers**. For many years, there was confusion and misattribution regarding its authorship, but hymnological research has clarified the roles of each man. Here's a breakdown of its history: 1. **The Original Author: John Bakewell (1726-1819)** * **Life:** John Bakewell was an early Methodist preacher and hymn writer, a close friend of John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield. He was known for his piety and zeal. * **Composition:** Bakewell is now widely credited as the **primary author** of the original hymn, likely around **1757-1760**. He penned the core stanzas that celebrate Christ's atoning sacrifice and His subsequent glorification. * **Original Theme:** The hymn initially focused on the contrast between Jesus's humiliation (despised, crucified) and His exaltation (crowned King). 2. **The Reviser and Expander: Thomas Olivers (1735-1799)** * **Life:** Thomas Olivers was another significant figure in early Methodism, known for his powerful preaching, hymn writing, and his work as John Wesley's literary assistant and editor of the *Arminian Magazine*. He was a convert of Whitefield. * **Revision:** Around **1760-1765**, Thomas Olivers encountered Bakewell's hymn and felt it lacked a robust expression of heavenly worship and the adoration of the "Lamb that was slain." He took Bakewell's original four stanzas and **significantly revised and expanded** them, adding several new stanzas, including the beloved lines: * "Oh, that with yonder sacred throng, We at His feet may fall!" * "Worthy the Lamb that died, they cry, To be exalted thus!" * **Motivation:** Olivers's revisions were likely inspired by his desire to make the hymn more comprehensive, particularly in reflecting the celestial praise described in the Book of Revelation. He published his expanded version in his own collection, *Hymns and Spiritual Songs*, in **1765**. 3. **The Attribution Confusion:** * For a considerable period, especially due to its inclusion in Wesley's collections (which sometimes gave only partial credit or simply "Anon."), the hymn was often **mistakenly attributed solely to Thomas Olivers**, or sometimes to "Olivers, from Bakewell." * Later hymnological research, comparing early manuscripts and publications, firmly established Bakewell as the original author of the core verses, with Olivers responsible for the significant expansion that made it the longer, more widely known hymn. 4. **Theological Themes and Impact:** * The hymn, in its combined Bakewell-Olivers form, powerfully expresses themes central to evangelical Christianity: * **Atonement:** Christ's suffering and death for the sins of humanity. * **Glorification:** His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation as King. * **Worship:** The call for both earthly and heavenly hosts to adore Him. * **Eschatology:** The hope of joining the heavenly host in eternal worship. * It became immensely popular in Methodist, Baptist, and other evangelical traditions, often sung to tunes like **"Ariel"** (composed by Lowell Mason) or **"Arlington."** Its imagery of the "Lamb that was slain" and the call to worship resonates deeply with believers. In summary, "Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!" is a collaborative masterpiece. **John Bakewell** provided the foundational lyrics, capturing the profound paradox of Christ's despised state on earth and His subsequent glorification. **Thomas Olivers** then took those powerful initial stanzas and enriched them, adding the dimension of heavenly worship and making it the robust, beloved hymn that has ministered to generations. It stands as a testament to the fervent faith and poetic skill of the early Methodist movement.