Robert Robinson was on his way to becoming a minister in the Church of England when the Lord interrupted his plans. After the death of this father there was no money to continue his education, although he did what he could to expand his mind. In 1752 he went to hear George Whitefield preach. and Matthew 3:7 was burned into his soul – “O generation of vipers who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Despite the conviction of God, Robinson didn’t obtain God’s peace for more than three years. On December 10, 1755, as he described it, “he found full and free forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” For years Robinson never questioned the Protestant christening ceremony of babies, but a stray remark caused him to begin to study the matter. When he became convinced of believer’s baptism, he was immersed and soon began attending the Baptist church in Cambridge over which eventually he became the pastor. The church grew rapidly under his leadership, and within three years a new building was erected which could seat six hundred. Robinson was a good preacher, an able writer and also a good poet. He is best known today for his hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
– Source: “This Day in Baptist History,” Thompson and Cummins
