The Indianapolis journal., 1888-12-10
TAKEN FROM TIE SERMONS
Thoughts Suggested by the Centennial
of the Death of Charles Wesley.
A Beautiful Hymn that Is Never Sung in
Churohes-BishOp Seymour at st. Pauls-
Vain Religion Described by DIR. Keen.

Sermons were preached in many churches in
this country, as well as of the world, bearing on
the character and work OF Charles Wesley.
They were in commemoration Of the centennial
year OF his DEATH but the exact date OF that event
was March %, 17ss. In this city no prearranged
programme was carried out in reference to the
observance. but in the ssrHons of the day some
OF the preachers spoke of Charles Wesley and
the influence Of his hymns on the Christian
world. Among them was the Rev. Fl. A
Cleveland, at Meridian street NJ. E. Church, who
had for bis mo7nips topic "Keep Your Windows
open to Jerusalem" his thought thereon being
suegesteo by Daniels long captivity in Babylon.
put Trough it all Daniel was Hebrew and his
"ino1w was ever open to the Jerusalem of his
recollections and his hopes From that window
Ee passed out to freedom leaped the Babylonian
walls OF his captivity, and roamsd free man in
the land OF Isaac and Jacob. I'VE must all
nave sucn open windows" the Doctor continued.
memory, love Of nature, art aud science are
sucn; good books. and books OF holy song are
such portals. To-day is the centennial year OF
Charles Wesley's death, the greatest
SI All our church singers. The countless
uosts In all lands and languages have
heard through windows Of his song the angels
OF peace and good will. Jesus. Lover of My
soul, our loftiest and sweetest hymn, is sung
round the world. to-day, and from the hearts Of
'nose VINO sing 1t, fear. loneliness and sorrow
-
and hope many tosoms, 1 would rather have
been the author of that singing-hymn, Round
tne world. than to have been the hero OF Trafal
gar or victor of Appomattox. He was true,
low singers are. 20 the kindred points Of home
and heaven, AID his Hymn to Catholic Love-
MAKES US reei like he is our brother"
Inis hymn on "Catholic Love- reads:
Weary of all this wordy strife
=, These notions, FORMS and modes and names
10 Thee, the way, the truth, the life,
Whose love my simple heart nfarss,
Divinely taught, at last fly,
With Thee. and thine to live, and de-
Forth from the midst of Babel brought,
Parties and sscts L cast behind
EHW1sEged W5sge, my heart and free my thought.
Wnere er the latent truth fnd
Inc latent truth with Joy to
And DOW to Jesus's name alone.
Redeem'd by thine almighty grace,
taste my glorious liberty.
With open arms the world embrace,
But cleave to those who cleave to Thee
but only In Thy saints delight,
Who walk with God in purest white.
One with the little flock rest,
The members sound who hold the Head;
The chosen few. with pardon blest.
And by the amounting Spirit led
Into the mind that was in Thee
Into the depths Of Deity.
Ny brethren, friends and knsmen these,
Who do my heavenly Fathers will;
Who aim at perfect holiness,
And all Thy counsels to fulfill;
Athirst to be whate er Thou art
And love their God with all their heart,
For these, howeer in flesh disioin'd
Whereer dispersed Ger earth abroad,
Untelgned, unbounded love fnd
And constant the life of God.
foureain of he, from thence it sprung,
As pure, as even, and as strong.
Joined to the hidden church unknown
In this sure bond of perfectness,
Obscurely safe dwell alone,
And glory in the uniting grace
10 me. to each believer given
To all Thy saints In earth and heaven.
A. 2. Stanley, in Thomas Humphrey Wards
book on English poets" writes concerning this
hymn: 1T is a curious and significant fact that
1t is not contained in any ordinary hymn book
used either by the Wesleyan community or by
the English Church. It is not to be found in
Lord Selborne's Book OF Praise. 1t was first
published at the end OF John Wesley's sermon
on the catholic spirit II Kings, Z, Is. in
llo5. Nevertheless, il is not contained in the
published edition Of the three volumes, where
that sermon Is printed with the last corrections
Of the author"