byFaith: Samuel Davies (1723-1761)
By David Irving - Posted at byFaith: Published July 30, 2026 "As a Presbyterian, Davies was a dissenter, someone who did not conform to the Church of England establishment." Somewhere in the PCA, a pastor is preparing for Sunday with a book by British preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Hundreds of American Presbyterians reach for “the Doctor” to help their preaching. Lloyd-Jones, however, reached for an American Presbyterian to help him — Samuel Davies. He urged preachers to read Davies, and he told American audiences Davies was “the greatest preacher you have ever produced in this country.” In another corner of our denomination, saints will gather for worship on Sunday. They might stand, turn to hymn 82 in the red “Trinity Hymnal” and joyfully sing, “Who is a pard’ning God like thee? Or who has grace so rich and free? Or who has grace so rich and free?” The hymn, “Great God of Wonders!” was written by Samuel Davies, described as “the first hymn writer of any moment in America.” O...
