Extracted from “Chief Men among the Brethren”, 2nd. ed., Pickering and Inglis.
Hugh Henry Snell was born in 1815. He was converted early in life. He practised as a doctor at Lifton, on the banks of the Tamar, in Devon, and also at Launceston, Cornwall. He frequently preached at the little meeting of “brethren” at the latter place. Afterwards, on removing to Plymouth, he associated himself with J. L. Harris and Henry Bulteel—both ex-clergymen—for many years in preaching and teaching. He gave up his practice, and devoted his life entirely to the work he believed God had called him to. While at Plymouth he entertained the Lord’s servants most hospitably, R. C. Chapman being a frequent guest; and John Hambleton mentions in his well-known book, “Buds, Blossoms, and Fruits,” that he stayed with “Brother” Snell at Plymouth.
Later on Mr. Snell preached and taught in many of the large cities and towns of England and Ireland, besides visiting and confirming (in the true Scriptural sense, i.e., strengthening) the smaller meetings then springing up all over the country. Eternity alone will declare the value of this work. Equally gifted with his pen, he wrote largely on prophetical and other subjects. His works most known being “Streams of Refreshing,” which has run through twelve editions; “Notes on the Book of Revelation,” “Lectures on the Second Coming,” “Inspiration of the Scriptures.” He was a much valued speaker at the famous Meetings on Prophecy at the Freemasons’ Hall, in 1864, and it is interesting to note that the other speakers at these meetings included such gifted “chief men” as L. Strong, J. L. Harris, H. W. Soltau, J. M. Code, Lord Cavan, P. H. Gosse, W. Lincoln, C. Hargrove, and several others. Mr. Snell fell asleep in Jesus, very happily, at Stafford in 1891.