Presbyterian
Hymns #9, 32, 68, 204, 240, 259, 295, 310.
S. P. Tregelles, who was considered by some to be the most distinguished of Biblical scholars of the nineteenth century, was born January 20 (or 30), 1813. His parents, who were Quakers, lived at Wodehouse Place, Falmouth, England. He studied at the Grammar School at that place. Later he was employed in the Meath Abbey Iron Works, from 1828 to 1834. In 1836 he took up teaching as a private tutor in Falmouth.
By the time he was 25 years of age he had developed a strong desire for critical study of the New Testament text. We do not have details as to how he was led to Christ, but his eight hymns in the Little Flock are ample testimony as to where his faith rested. Some sources say that while he was in sympathy with the teachings held by the gathered saints, he was never actually allied with them, while others say he was so identified for a while and then left the gathering. Eventually he became a Presbyterian.
His intention was to construct a Greek Testament as nearly perfect as possible derived from the best sources. In 1845 he had access to the Vatican Manuscript at Rome. He was aided in some of his work by William Kelly and also was the principal editor of Greek for George V. Wigram when the latter compiled the “Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament.”
Eight of his hymns are in the Little Flock and several are beautifully addressed to the Father or are about the Father. Hymn #310 is remarkable and quite unique in its dispensational arrangement.
Dr. Tregelles was stricken with paralysis which hindered the publication of his textual work until after his death. He passed on to “see the Master’s face” (hymn #9) while at Plymouth, April 24, 1875.
“The gloomy night will soon be past,
The morning will appear;
The harbinger of day at last
Each waiting eye will cheer.
“Thou Bright and Morning Star,
Thy light Will to our joy be seen;
Thou, Lord, wilt meet our longing sight
Without a cloud between.”