William Pierson Merrill (1867-1954) was an American Presbyterian minister, pacifist, writer, and hymnist. He is recognized for his time as one of the most influential ministers in America. He is probably best remembered as the author of several famous hymns, including "Rise Up, O People of God".
Video William P. Merrill
Early life and education
William Merrill was born on January 10, 1867, in Orange, New Jersey, to George and Emily Merrill, both of whom were of English descent. During his youth, the family moved to Newburyport, Massachusetts, and then returned to New Brunswick, New Jersey. Merrill earned a B.A. (1887), A.M. (1890), and D.D. (1904) from Rutgers. He also got a B.D. (1890) of Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
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Careers
After his ordination in 1890, Merrill became pastor of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, where he served until 1895. From 1895 to 1911, he served as pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. There he met his wife Clara (nÃÆ' Â © e Helmer). In 1911, Merrill was summoned to the Presbyterian Church of Bata in New York City, where he served as pastor until 1938, when a merger with Park Avenue Church took place and he resigned to become pastor emeritus.
Merrill was named first president of the Union for Peace of the Church, an organization of religious, academic and political leaders aimed at promoting pacifism. His 1914 sermon titled "The Making of Peace" was praised by Andrew Carnegie as "... one of the greatest sermons on peace he ever heard." Merrill was offered the presidency of Union Theological Seminary in 1917, but was rejected. He was elected as the Presbytery of New York Moderator in 1940, a position he held until 1942.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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