Slain for a sinful world, and me, Thy body bore our guilty load: And bought and sprinkled us with blood. Through which I know my sins forgiven; The peace deserved for all mankind, And walk with God, my God, to heaven. I come to testify the grace My Lord obtain'd for all our race, Enough ten thousand worlds to save; Salvation is in Jesu's name, Which every soul of man may claim, And all that seek the grace shall have : (Thy grace to all hath brought it near,) Salvation up to heaven above. Thy power and saving grace to show, Strong in the Lord, and thy great might, Gladly take up the hallow'd cross, Beneath that bloody banner fight. A spectacle to fiends and men, I tread the world beneath my feet. Superior to their smile or frown, On all their goods my soul looks down, Their pleasures, wealth, and pomp, and state: The man that dares their god despise, The Christian, he alone is wise! The Christian, he alone is great! O God, let all my life declare, How far above these earthly things, A heaven-born race of Priests and Kings. For this alone I live below, The power of godliness to show, The wonders wrought by Jesu's name. And point them to the' atoning Lamb! The poor and rich, the low and high, "Believe, and feel thy sins forgiven! Thou, Jesu, thou my breast inspire, Mercy for those who know not God, Mercy that earth and heaven transcends; A faithful witness of thy grace, And answer all thy great design, The crown of righteousness divine. Pronounce the welcome word, “Well done!” And let me take my place above, Enter into my Master's joy, And all eternity employ In praise, and ecstasy, and love. In these noble and energetic lines Mr. Charles Wesley has strikingly depicted the mighty faith, the burning love to Christ, the yearning pity for the souls of men, the heavenlymindedness, the animating hope of future glory, which characterized his public ministry, and which not only enabled him to deliver his Lord's message before scoffing multitudes, but also carried him through his wasting labours, and the riots of Bristol, of Cornwall, of Staffordshire, of Devizes, and of Ireland, without a murmur. As a witness for Christ, he freely sacrificed his reputation as a man of letters and of genius; and of life itself, comparatively speaking, he made no account. Among the papers left by him is a small manuscript volume, containing the names of the subscribers to these two volumes of hymns, written by himself with singular neatness. Of the persons who thus encouraged him in his authorship five hundred and thirteen lived in London; one hundred and thirty-six in Bristol; three hundred and sixty-seven in other parts of England and Wales; and one hundred and twentynine in Ireland: making, in the whole, eleven hundred and forty-five. Many societies, as such, subscribed for these admirable volumes, particularly in Leeds and its neighbourhood. Hence we infer, that they had circulating libraries for the use of the members: an arrangement which must have been attended with many important advantages, especially where the people were poor, and unable to purchase books for themselves. The following societies appear in this honourable list :-Leeds, Armley, Hunslet, Rothwell, Oulton, Woodside, Seacroft, Woodhouse, York, Acomb, Thirsk, Hornby, and Selby. They were supplied by the agency of William Shent. CHAPTER XVII. Ar the beginning of the year 1750 Mr. Charles Wesley was at Bristol, as was also his friend Mr. Grimshaw, of Haworth. Though he was greatly blessed in his ministry, especially on particular occasions, yet at times he was subject to strong mental depression. To this indeed he was constitutionally prone, and from this period to the end of his life he was more or less affected by it. When he was daily employed in preaching, and in travelling from place to place, he was carried above all feelings of despondency, and lived in a state of high spiritual enjoyment; but when he sat down in domestic quiet, those feelings often returned in unabated power. At this period the situation of his wife, who expected ere long to be a mother, prevented him from taking those extensive journeys to which he had been accustomed. "Jan. 1st. At four in the morning," says he, "our room was excessively crowded, while I proclaimed the Gospel year of jubilee. We did not part without a blessing. "Jan. 12th. I preached, with the old power, on, 'Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?' Generally my hands hang down, and I am so feeble in mind that I cannot speak. "Jan. 14th. The Spirit helped our infirmity at Kingswood sacrament. A daughter of our brother Grimshaw was just departed in the Lord, being perfected in a short space." On the 31st of this month, at two o'clock in the morning, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley were awakened by "a clap of thunder, unusually loud and terrible." She was greatly frightened; so that the next day he accompanied her to consult a Physician. They were overtaken by a shower of rain, which induced them to quicken their pace; and the consequence was a premature birth. Her life, however, was mercifully preserved. Under this affliction, he says, "I brought my friend Grimshaw home with me, comforted for his happy daughter. "Feb. 8th. There was an earthquake in London. "Feb. 13th. I preached with a little strength at Bearfield, and the next day with more at Freshford. The spirit of the people helped me. An old lady of fourscore received me into her house. We spent the time in prayer and singing. Stephen Naylor, a poor backslider, had another call to repentance, and seemed resolved to close with it. I invited at night many burdened souls to Christ; and his healing power was present, and refreshed every weary spirit. "Feb. 18th. I carried my sister Betsy to Kingswood, where the Lord visited us again, and feasted us at his table. "Feb. 19th. My wife had recovered strength for her journey. We set out with our sisters Betsy and Peggy. We could not reach Newenham-passage till past seven. It was then quite dark. The boat on the other side refused to come over. We were got to the edge of the bank, the usual place of embarking, when Providence sent a man to stop us. He informed us, that the rains had choked up the river with two banks of sand; and where we were going was all quicksands. We followed him, with great difficulty, to another part of the river. My horse sunk up to the shoulders, but with a violent plunge struggled out. The boatmen at last took pity on us, came over, and with much pains carried us into the boat, and landed us safe on the opposite shore. By noon, Feb. 21st, God conducted us safe to Ludlow. For the five following days I received fresh strength for the work, and rejoiced in some measure that the Gospel had free course. "Feb. 27th. I preached in their new room at Evesham, and not without a sensible blessing. I met my brother the next day at Oxford. "March 1st. I rode to London. Ned Perronet supplied me with a lodging. "March 4th. I visited old Lydia White, on her death-bed. She accosted me, 'Thou blessed of the Lord, art thou come? I did not expect to see my dear Minister till we met in paradise. You and your brother are the instruments of my salvation. I have known the grace of the Lord Jesus long ago: now I am entering into his glory. He has told me so. I am full of his joy now.' Her words strengthened my hands, as I found at the chapel, speaking on those words, 'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.' They sunk into many hearts." |