This week in Christian history: SBC apologizes for slavery, Matthew Henry dies, Exodus International closes

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 18, 2023

Matthew Henry dies – June 22, 1714

Matthew Henry (1662-1714), a notable British preacher and theologian. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Matthew Henry, a notable British preacher and theologian known for his Bible commentaries, died while traveling to preach.

Ordained a minister in 1687, Henry oversaw a Presbyterian congregation in Chester, and authored a popular multivolume work titled Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Henry was said to have inspired the ministry of George Whitefield, a very popular 18th century traveling evangelist known for his involvement in the First Great Awakening.

According to an account posted by Wholesome Words, Henry had been battling an illness the day before his death and then experienced an “apoplectic fit” late at night, and died the following morning.

His last recorded words, given before the fit, were “a life spent in the service of God, and communion with him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can live in this world.”