Favourite Hymns # 1
Over the next number of weeks my weekly reflections will be based around some of my favourite hymns.
In the middle of the 1700’s, in both Europe and North America, with the possible exception of George Whitefield, there was no Christian minister more famous than John Wesley. Whitefield and Wesley were both traveling evangelists, who in their day had a scope of ministry rivalling that of Billy Graham in the last century. Their popularity helped make them two of the most famous men of the century throughout the English speaking world. If you were to chose, which one of these men was the bigger titan, one would probably have tipped their hat towards Whitefield during their day. Whitefield spoke to larger crowds, had friends in higher places (*one of his closest friends was Benjamin Franklin, who used his printing empire to circulate many of Whitefield’s sermons). However, if you measured them by whose influence had the greater impact longterm, the scales would tip towards John Wesley. It could be easily argued, if there was no Wesley there would have been no Whitefield. The reverse could not be suggested. Even today, we speak of the “Wesleyan” tradition, and drive by numerous “Wesleyan” or “Methodist” church buildings with denominational routes tracing back to John.
Regardless of how esteemed these men were in their day, it was John’s younger brother Charles, who I imagine most of us are more familiar with today, even if we might not recognize his name. Charles did not have the charisma or the preaching chops of either his brother John or his good friend George. Charles had another gift; a gift that has made his influence longer lasting and more endearing to much of the world. Charles was a gifted poet and a prolific song writer. It has been estimated that Charles Wesley wrote over six-thousand hymns. Most of his hymns have disappeared into obscurity, but some of the songs he penned nearly three-hundred years ago are still some of the most beloved songs of Christendom. Here is a small sampling of some of Charles Wesley’s best loved songs: Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Come Thou Long Expected Jesus; Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies; Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending; Love Divine, All Love Excelling; O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing; Rejoice, The Lord Is King. And what would Christmas be like without, Hark The Harold Angels Sing?
With someone writing that many songs, one could argue, at least one or two would be bound to stick. What may be most remarkable is, one of Wesley’s most beloved of all hymns, was by all accounts, either the first or second hymn he penned, and the story behind his enduring hymn is just as remarkable as the hymn itself.
In 1938, Charles had, what could only be described as, an extraordinary conversion experience. Charles grew-up with a strong Christian upbringing, attended Oxford University to study theology, and in 1935 was ordained into the pastorate. After graduation, he attempted missionary work in the New World to the native Americans. Sadly, his efforts were disastrous, forcing him to return home to England, battling both sickness and severe depression. Charles’ religion at that time, although very real, was primarily cerebral and cultural. However, everything was to forever change on Pentecost Sunday of May 21, 1938. On this date, Charles experienced a life altering revelation, changing his life and the trajectory of his ministry forever.
During the Spring of 1938, Charles was recuperating both his health and his broken pride at the home of a close friend, when he unexpectedly heard his friend’s sister pronounce these words over him, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise, and believe, and thou shalt be healed of all thy infirmities!” She was apparently compelled to express this proclamation because of a dream she had the night before. We are not sure if the prayer actually physically healed Wesley, but the boldness of this declaration was so overwhelming to Charles, he immediately got out of his bed and took to his Bible. Charles, who already had a tremendous knowledge of Scripture, tore into the pages of his Bible and the reality of their truth flooded his soul with profound new meaning. According to one biographer (Timothy Dudley-Smith) the following took place:
“Charles got out of bed and opening his Bible read from the Psalms: “He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God,” followed by the first verse of Isaiah 40, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” He wrote in his journal, ‘I have found myself at peace with God, and rejoice in the hope of my loving Christ.’”
What awakened in Charles at that moment was a profound sense of God’s love for him. He was stunned by the realization that God’s love was so great, He would give up his life for his creation. It dawned on Charles, if this is true, then the guilt of his sins had verifiably been removed. Salvation was no longer something earned, but something already secured, because God first loved us. No longer in some abstract sense, but in a very real, burden lifting and ecstasy inducing sense, Charles Wesley realized he was a beloved child of God!
With his new found and revitalized faith, God indeed put, not one, but two “new songs” into Charles “mouth.” It is agued as to which song Charles wrote first, but from this experience Charles quickly penned the hymns, Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin and, And Can It Be That I Should Gain. Probably the most telling and personal of stanza of And Can It Be is verse four. Wesley wrote in his journal on May 23 these words:
“I began a hymn upon my conversion, listen to the vivid words of my salvation account: Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night; thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; my chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.”
Three days later, Charles brother John had a profound conversion experience of his own, and the lives these two brothers changed dramatically, and the world was greatly altered for the better.
Ponder the words as you listen and meditate on this familiar hymn; consider the life changing elation that gave it birth — the joy and gratitude of Charles’ salvation bubbles up from every line. My hope and prayer is: As you hear this great song, let its joy will either bring back the wonder of your own salvation in Christ, or stir within you the desire to find the same “Amazing Love” that Charles found.
And Can It Be
[1] And can it be that I should gain an int’rest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be, that Thou, my God, should die for me?
[Refrain] Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!
[2] ’Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies! Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine! ’Tis mercy all! let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. [Refrain]
[3] He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace; emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race; ’Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me. [Refrain]
[4] Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; my chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee. [Refrain]
[5] No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine. Bold I approach th’eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own. [Refrain]
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