Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/279

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 267

Saviour, who ready art to hear,

(Readier than I to pray,) Answer my scarcely utter d prayer,

And meet me on the way.

The original reads

Talk with me, Lord ; Thyself reveal.

John Wesley altered me to us in the 1780 Hymn-book. Ver. 2 is Eve s tribute to her husband (Paradise Lost, iv. 639), lifted into a higher sphere

With thee conversing, I forget all time,

All seasons and their change ; all please alike.

Hymn 423. Thou Shepherd of Israel, and mine. CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Short Hymns on Select Passages of Scripture, 1762 ; lVorks % ix. 362. Song of Solomon, i. 7.

Hymn 424. Open, Lord, my inward ear.

CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742; Works, ii. 263. Waiting for Christ the Prophet. The first verse is

Christ, my hidden life, appear,

Soul of my inmost soul ; Light of life, the mourner cheer,

And make the sinner whole. Now in me Thyself display,

Surely Thou in all things art ; I from all things turn away.

To seek Thee in my heart.

The two verses based on God s revelation of Himself to Elijah at Horeb strike a note to which all hearts respond.

Hymn 425. What shall I do niy God to love.

CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742 ; Works, ii. 73. Desiring to Love. Two verses are omitted.

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