Rare Wesley Hymn Fragment
Found in Farmhouse
A manuscript fragment found in a Cotswold farmhouse under restoration appears to be the first draft of an unpublished hymn by Charles Wesley (1707-1788).
The draft, in Wesley’s own hand, includes several edits, with whole lines crossed out and re-written. Only the first verse is relatively intact. The refrain, however, is un-altered. Cambridge hymnologist Edmund Wren, who authenticated the manuscript, writes, “It’s quite clear that the refrain is the inspiration for the hymn. The verses are only an afterthought.”
Wesley was a prolific hymnodist, with over 6,000 hymns published in his lifetime. With his brother John (1703-1791) he is considered a co-founder of the Methodist movement. Charles Wesley is known to have visited the Methodist Societies of the Cotswolds several times in the mid-1700s, spending several weeks there with his wife Sally in the summer of 1754 after her devastating battle with smallpox. “The refrain’s profession of steadfast faithfulness to God mirrors Wesley’s steadfast devotion to Sally,” Wren notes.
Lord, Thy Prevenient Grace we Know
Both love and law within our heart.
A full commitment we would show;
Our sole Redeemer Friend Thou art!
Thy faithfulness to us we feel,
And ours to Thee, O such a deal!
Never shall we give you up,
Never shall we let you down,
Never shall we run around and desert you.
Never shall we make you cry,
Never shall we say goodbye,
Never shall we tell a lie and hurt you
First day of April, A.D. 1754
Down Astley, Glouc.
Hmmm… I spent a semester in the Cotswolds and never heard of Down Astley.
the refrain is the lyrics to a 80’s song, Never Gonna Give You Up
Oh, you caught me! (The publication date might also have given me away!)
Wes
The praise team at Stirrings! An AncientModern Celebration Community ™ has arranged it for tonight’s Coffee’n’Cocktails service: http://bit.ly/IqT6zt
Wondering if the image on the Wesleyan Grace homepage was taken at Loch Ness?
Hi, Dean. Nope, that’s a lone orca in the sunset, in Stephens Passage, Alaska.