Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-12-13

Some Biographical Notes OF the
Greatest of Hyninssts.

J hyinpist the world has yet known.
has, therefore, been thought eminentl,
proper of this time for the celebration
all over The world of the triumphs Of Ion
years Ok ChEistiAn song. Il. Il. Mac
Arthur, chairman Of the committee, de
sirds that these memorial services shall
DO generans observed. The second Sun
dny in December is understood 10 be thu
J day When throughout England and III,
uhlsed States from pulpit and pew there
shall 90 up united song Of praise and
thanksgiving TO Almighty God for Hii
J gift to tho world OF the men who used
their talents to the praise and glory Of
God.
Charles Wesley, student Of Christ'l
Church, Oxford, was The youngest son o.
the Rev. Samuel and Susannhh, a brother
and colBborer Of John Wesley. When
eight years old he was saot to West
Minister school, where be WIS placed
under the care of hig eldest brother,
Samuel Wesley. This brother was q
strong high ohurchman, ard taught
CHARLES those principles of devotion to
the establishment and the ministerial
auccession which formed . distinguishing
feature of hia religious life. lie did not
OF first share his bEothsr's, religions
convictions, but 10 the course OF three
years he became very much concerned in
regard to the interests OF his soul and
attentive to the services Of the church.
il ,tAssociatipg with himself two or three
6thse students, band vas formed who
.yeEs wpEkedsbove theIr fellow students
for Aiiigsuce and fidelity in attention to
n rHiiBf otls hxsEoises, and for the methodioal
,nianbBf in which they pursued their
studies ahd Improved theii time. From
these tlttts they received the name of
Meth otists.l
After receiving his degree, he intended
to devote his life to teaching, but his
brother, John, having made his arrange.
ments to 60 to Georgia, Charles deter
mlned to accompany him. He took
orders in the church, and besides the
work of missionary he engaged TO per-
form the duties OF secretary to Governor
Oglethorpe, meeting with difficulties in
both lines of work. In 1875 he was
sent to England as bearer Of dispatches.
The vessel on which he sailed was forced
to put into Boston for repairs. After
severe spell OF sickness in that city he
sailed sgain for England in the fall of
ths Year Hewas graciously led into
Isat istgttdryl religious experience, and
'ptttefeH heFrtfly and zsalously into the
work or theniinistry. Charles Wesley is
best hgoEn, as a writer Of hymns, ind in
this chpaefty he hsa rendered a DIS
fi11gSished service to the whole Christian
Ibhttsh was one Of the most
.Voihhinot1s Of hymn-wsitera and his
We're as various in quality as they were
numerous; but 1t Is safe to say that his
best hymns are not excelled by any other
writer. Hundreds Of them have passed
into literature AID into the hymn books OF
every Protestant denomination. The
pabliBhedpoens OF CHARLES We:,ey occupy
above 5000 closely printed pages.
Some Of the familiar hymns sung by
all Christians may be noted with the
scripture basis for them.
"a Charge to Keep Have" Iieyiticus,
YIN, s5. Therefore shall We abide at the
door Of the tabernacle, day and night.
seven days and keep the charge OF the
Lord, that ye die not; for SO am com
mRnded.
so for Thousand Tongues to Sing"
This is poem for the anniversary day OF
ones conversion, and is composed Of is
stanzas. The seventh being the irst
stanza of the hymn as we have it,
The hymn entitled, 1.-THE Just Shall
Live by Faith" which describes Charles
"fssey's TtiisiUas histM5 20 ee4sui1.
period OF life, Is said to be one Of the
most remarkable productions ~. hig uen5
= b.Lsla ata.-44 u : lynn II.
storm at sea shows the writer's mighty
faith and power of expression. II was
addressed to Mr.. Whitetield Rshe embarked
the second time for America:
What though the floods lift up their voice,
Thou nearest Lord our louder cry
They cannot damp thy children's Joys
Or shake the Soul when God Is nigh.
A hymn for New Year Day founded
upon the year Of jubilee as appointed in
the lavish Law, Leviticus XIV.
hBlow ye the Trumpet Blow" This
hYtan presents type of the free saliva.
tioa which ia offered to all men through
the atonement OF Christ.
James Montgomery himself one Of
Engiand's noblest poets in his "TIecture
On ReatEY, general Literature, &o."--,.
aSafls Sblf4e has become part of th O
lbtnf9Sd flIteraIqge OF the age, speal "a
.thfl9i ff 4 Wpa,eY: Christian experien &c
est5esf4a hlW7 with everlasting and in OK .
.helstibiA thepfS, and ii must be on :
a.4ifsai thy4AS has celebrated them wit b
az ggpeHcesof gietion and splendtr CT
~ SQs49g, y RlEely surpassed. At tb q
sIne tlma 10 has invested them v It'll a
power OF truth and endeared them DO sh
to the imagination and affections with a
pathoa which makes feeling q CONVICT, on
and leayes the understanding little to do
but 10 lcquiesce in the decision of the
heart. Az the poet of Methodism he has
sung the doctrines OF the gospel as they
ore expounded among the people dwell
ing especially on the personal appr5I,ria.
ton OF ths words Of eternal life to the
Sinner or the saint as the test us mis-
actual state before God, aud adunttiuo
nothing legs than the full assure.n 90 Of
faith or ths psiyilege OF believers.
/ qEiJtb uagatS laith the promise secs
{ " lssiios On rtlht alone
( OhR1H,1ia Is !ippossibllities
~ end saye, + shall be DONE"
I DIAM lizads her realizing light
! q l0a clouds dispense, the shad ows fly,
( IIsss BlYistbia opens IN sight
u ana Goi y seen BY mortal eye.
There afe glimpses of our authors
manner; broad indeed and awful but
EinRularly illustrative; like lifthtniue ont
Of darkness revealing for a moment the
whole hemisphere. No person as com
pstant 90 appreciate the merits and de.
scribe the true character of CHARLES
Weslny as JAMES Montgomery.
uhs hymn beginning "JasGs Lover of
my Soul, will live while the English
language lasta.
Charles Wesley died March Goth, 1888.
he was buried az the churohyard OF 81.
Maryiebone, near his own residence. Hia
pail bearers were eight clergymen of the
Church of England.
-
Rather Quickly Cured.
He had been in the habit Of PLAYING
truant from school, and he had been mod.