BINNEY, THOMAS (1798-1874), English Congregation alist divine, was born of Presbyterian parents at Newcastle-on Tyne. He entered the theological school at Wymondley, Herts, now incorporated in New College, Hampstead. In 1829, after short pastorates at Bedford (New Meeting) and Newport, Isle of Wight, he accepted a call to the historic Weigh House chapel, London. Here he became very popular, and it was found necessary to build a much larger chapel on Fish street Hill, to which the congregation removed in 1834. An address delivered on the occa sion of the laying of the foundation stone was published, with an appendix containing a strong attack on the influence of the Church of England, which gave rise to a long and bitter controversy. In 1845 he visited Canada and the United States, and in 1857 the Australian colonies. He was twice chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and only resigned his pastorate in 1869 at the age of 72. He died on Feb. 24, 1 8 7 4.
Binney gave a special impulse to congregational psalmody by the publication of a book entitled The Service of Song in the House of the Lord. He wrote much devotional verse, including the well-known hymn "Eternal Light ! Eternal Light !"