Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/131

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 1 19

Hymn 115. O filial Deity, CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739; Works, i. 97. Hymn to the Son. Ver. 2 omitted.

Charles Wesley was converted on May 21, 1738. On June 16 he says in his Journal : After dinner, Jack Delamotte (brother of his companion in Georgia) came for me. We took coach, and by the way he told me, that when we were last together at Blendon (near Bexley, in Kent), in singing, &quot; Who forme, for me hast died,&quot; he found the words sink into his soul ; could have sung for ever, being full of delight and joy ; since then has thought himself led in everything ; feared nothing so much as offending God ; could pray with life ; and, in a word, found that he did indeed believe in the Lord Jesus. That entry proves that this hymn was written within three weeks of Charles Wesley s conversion. Jack Delamotte is, therefore, the first con vert won by his friend s poetry. The words that were blessed to him form a link to Luther and St. Paul. The Wednesday before Charles Wesley s conversion, Mr. Holland accidentally lit upon Luther s Commentary on the Galatians. Charles Wesley writes : I spent some hours this evening in private with Martin Luther, who was greatly blessed to me, especially his conclusion of the second chapter. I laboured, waited, and prayed to feel &quot; who loved me, and gave Himself for me&quot; Luther says, Therefore, thou shouldest so read these little words me, and for me, that thou mayest ponder them well, and consider that they are full of meaning. Accustom yourself to grasp this little word me with sure trust, and apply it to thyself ; and do not doubt that thou art among those who are named in the little word me. Also, thou shouldest clearly understand that Christ did not only love Peter, Paul, and other Apostles and prophets, and give Himself for them, but that such grace concerns us, and comes to us as to them ; therefore are we also intended by the little word me. Those words, &quot;who loved me and gave Himself for me,&quot; are full of great and mighty comfort, and therefore are powerful to awake faith in us. There is the inspiration of the line, Who for me, for me hast died.

On July 2, 1738, Charles Wesley met at Mr. Sims, in the Minories, a Mrs. Harper, who had that day received the Spirit, by the hearing of faith ; but feared to confess it. We sung the

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