One Saint, Fulham

All Saints' Church at Fulham has several claims to fame, including a brief appearance in the 1976 film Omen. The building is mainly Victorian, save the large tower, a medieval survivor of the later demolition and expansion programme. It is situated next to the old Bishop of London’s palace, so a number of these episcopal gents lie buried in the grounds. The proximity of the living ones likely gave little comfort to the incumbents. A greater than they also lies buried in All Saints’ consecrated ground: Granville Sharp, Esquire.

This tenacious opponent of the slave trade and slavery was also the first President of the British and Foreign Bible Society and of the Society for the Conversion of the Jews. His tomb describes his ‘justice, humanity and religion’ which

He promoted by his exertions

And adorned by his example.

Sharp and his generation combined a love of sound theology with an energetic activism aimed at righting societal wrongs. One day, he shall rise, and there will be many there with him, black and white, who shall commend his deeds to the Lord whom he served so faithfully:

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  Daniel 12:2-4, King James Version

Always endeavour to really be what you would wish to appear. -GS