Charles Wesley A Challenge To This Generation

Charles Wesley A Challenge To This Generation

“No study of great hymns of the Christian faith would be complete without considering the work of the one man who did more for English Hymns than any other – Charles Wesley.” This was how James McClelland opened the chapter on his work ‘Jesus Lover of My Soul’ in his book titled ‘The Stories behind Great Hymn’. Continuing, James noted that, “Even though his father was a clergyman, Charles Wesley grew up without ever coming to knowledge of sin, forgiven or the assurance of salvation. Thankfully however, like his famous brother John, he finally found spiritual peace through the help of the Moravians, especially that of Peter Bohler, who explained to him the nature of justification by faith alone. Thus it was on Whit Sunday, May 21st 1738; Charles Wesley found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I have lived to know that when someone genuinely gives his/her life to Christ, accepting Him as Lord and Personal Saviour there is always a change and a difference which will visibly manifest for all to see. I remembered when I gave my life to Christ on February 11 1990, there was a difference in my life and I immediately turned a new leaf. There was a kind of joy; the joy of salvation, radiating in me which made me sing often and again. I remembered this very day; my junior sister asked, “Does it mean that when one gives his life to Christ, such will not let people hear, always singing?”

This was what happened in the life of Charles Wesley. According to that narrative from James McClelland, “From that time he (Charles Wesley) was as much on fire to preach the gospel as his brother; and equally bold and tireless in doing so. Above all, he translated the gospel message into songs, furnishing both powerful means of evangelism and a rich reservoir for devotion. On the first anniversary of his conversion, he wrote those majestic lines:

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise

The glories of my God and King

The Triumph of His grace

These lines have been used to open successive editions of the Methodist Hymn Book ever since. Hymn writing came easily to Charles Wesley anytime, anywhere, so that from his pen there flowed some nine thousand (9,000) sacred songs”

Charles Wesley wrote some notable songs still in use today such as ‘Love Divine All Love excelling’, ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’, Hark the Herald Angel Sing’, Jesus Lover of My Soul’, etc. Some of the hymns Charles Wesley wrote are favourites of many believers even till date. Charles Wesley wrote Jesus Lover of My Soul just two years after he made Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour. This is one of his hymns I cherished and the wordings are:

Jesus Lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high:

Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide,

O receive my soul at last!

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,

Grace to cover all my sin;

Let the healing streams abound,

Make and keep me pure within:

Thou of life the Fountain art,

Freely let me take of Thee,

                          Spring Thou up within my heart,

Rise to all eternity

After reading about Charles Wesley and his God given gift of writing hymns, I wish to ask here, where are the Charles Wesleys of our age? Where are the Hymn writers of our age? The Hymns we use today in our worship are the ones written between 15th to 19th Centuries. As we use them today, they are still spiritual and inspiring to souls. Hymn writing is a gift that we should desire from God. It is a way of leaving a legacy for posterity. It is a way of immortalizing our names. Many of this our age only write and sing songs and not hymns.

However, it worthy to note here, that deep inspiration can be drawn from God when we meditate on Hymns like this one written by Charles Wesley. Virtually all the hymns were written from Biblical verses. Hymn writing is a challenge for Christians of this generation. I have personally written few hymns which I hope to develop well and forward to my Choirmaster for a trial. People who write such should publish on them on the internet as many will never come up in Hymn books but somehow, people will come across it and gain inspiration from it.