If anyone today has heard of Benjamin Beddome, it is probably as a hymn writer. A few of his compositions are still in hymnals today. For example, in the Trinity Hymnal, Baptist Edition, there are three of his selections. There are two in the new Trinity Psalter Hymnal.
One thing this writing of hymns for worship proves is that he believed congregational singing to be a part of God’s public worship. His father, John, had also been of this school of thought. And so Benjamin wrote hundreds of songs, primarily for the purpose of reinforcing the sermon. They were meant to be sung after the preaching of the Word of God so the congregation could respond in faith to God for the truth they had just heard. The church in Bourton also used Isaac Watts’ psalms and hymns and others as well. But when a specific theme was needed for a sermon, Beddome wrote his own. This was a common practice by many at this time but few did it with such variety and skill.