Charles Wesley (December 18, 1707-March 29, 1788) was a prolific hymn writer and theologian, and the brother of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. He wrote an estimated 6,500 hymns, of which 500 are in continual use.
In 1739, Charles Wesley published his Hymns and Sacred Poems, which contained the song, "Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today":
<"Christ, the Lord, is risen today,"
Sons of men and angels say,
Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply.> 1707CW001
In his hymn, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," 1740, Charles Wesley wrote:
<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 Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven glide,
O receive my soul at last.> 1707CW002
In 1742, Charles Wesley wrote "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild":
<Gentle Jesus,
meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.> 1707CW003
In 1749, Charles Wesley composed "Soldiers of Christ, Arise":
<Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on.> 1707CW004
In the Christmas hymn, 1753, Charles Wesley wrote:
<Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King.> 1707CW005
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1707CW001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Charles Wesley, 1739, in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 350.
1707CW002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Charles Wesley, In Temptation. Burton Stevenson, The Home Book of Quotations (New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1967), p. 264.
1707CW003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Charles Wesley, 1742, in Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 350. 1707CW004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Charles Wesley, 1749, in Soldiers of Christ, Arise. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 350.
1707CW005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Charles Wesley, 1753, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 350. Herbert V. Prochnow, 5100 Quotations for Speakers and Writers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1992), p. 519.