Note 137 — Chapter XV
Reading edition
Mr. Lawrence Batty is said to have been an extremely eloquent preacher; but from intense study and violent exertion became weakened in his intellects. He was taken to London by his brother Christopher, for medical advice, and remained there some time. Some years after his return to Yorkshire he took a fever and died.
Mr. William Batty, the eldest brother, a popular preacher among the Inghamites. In 1760, he was ordained pastor of the church of Wheatley, in conjunction with the Rev. John Green, who afterwards removed to Nottingham, and became pastor of a congregation there in the same Connexion. His labours were entirely gratuitous, as his paternal inheritance was ample. In the year 1786 he was seized with fainting fits, and was ordered by medical men to desist from preaching; but this he refused. He died suddenly, without a sigh or a groan, December 12, 1787, aged 72.
Mr. Christopher Batty died at Kendal, in the county of Westmoreland, on the 19th of April, 1797, aged 82, and was buried in the ground adjoining the chapel, where there is a monument erected to his memory.
Alice, wife of the Rev. Christopher Batty, died March 29, 1794, aged 66. They had two sons, Giles, who died November 29, 1797, aged 32, and Christopher, who was bred to the profession of a surgeon, and died January 25, 1803, aged 40; also two daughters, Jane, wife of Mr. William Knipe, of Kirkland, died February 9, 1802, aged 45; and Alice, wife of Mr. John Brockbank, of Kendal, who died May 15, 1801.
The three brothers possessed considerable poetical talents, and some of their hymns are amongst the best and most poetical now in use. Mr. Christopher Batty composed the first hymn used among the Inghamites, soon after his conversion. It begins—
“Sweet was the hour, the minute sweet,” &c.
At an early period of this Connexion, a hymn-book was printed at Leeds, chiefly composed by the Messrs. Batty; from whence several hymns in the Tabernacle and Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion are taken. That well-known missionary hymn—
“Captain of thine enlisted host,” &c.
was composed by one of the Battys; also the following, which are to be found in many collections, with several others in general use:—
“What object’s this which meets my eyes,” &c.
or, as it is altered in another edition, commencing thus—
“From Salem’s gate, advancing slow, What object meets my eyes! What means this majesty of wo? What mean these mingled cries?” &c.
“Beloved Saviour, faithful Friend,” &c. “O, my Lord! I’ve often mused,” &c. “Saviour, canst thou love a traitor?” &c. “O Lord, how great’s the favour,” &c. “I wait the visits of thy grace,” &c. “How blest are they whose feet have found,” &c. “How shall I speak my Saviour’s worth?” &c. “Strangers and sojourners below,” &c. “Encouraged by the word of grace,” &c. “The God of Salvation, Jehovah by name,” &c. “Compassionate Bridegroom, my Shepherd and Friend,” &c. “O Jesu, my God, come make thine abode,” &c. “O Jesus, my Saviour, I fain would embrace,” &c. “Sinner, attend! attend, I pray,” &c. “See Jesus, our Deliv’rer great,” &c. “Nothing in this world I want,” &c. “The God whose smiles we court,” &c.