THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 237
But, O the power of grace divine !
In hymns we now our voices raise, Loudly in strange hosannas join,
And blasphemies are turn d to praise.
Charles Wesley added Ken s doxology to his own thanks giving.
On August 31, 1739, his Journal says, I spoke to the poor colliers on " The blind receive their sight, the lame walk," &c. On Tuesday, September 4, he preached over against the school in Kingswood, to some thousands (colliers chiefly), and held out the promises, from Isa. xxxv. : "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose/ I triumphed in God s mercy to these poor outcasts (for He hath called them a people who were not a people), and in the accomplishment of that scripture, " Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened," &c. Oh, how gladly do the poor receive the gospel ! We hardly knew how to part.
When Whitefield told his friends in Bristol that he was going to America to preach to savages, they replied, W T hat need of going abroad for this? Have we not Indians enough at home? If you want to convert Indians, there are colliers enough at Kingswood.
Hymn 367. O what shall I do my Saviour to praise. CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742; Works, ii. 176. A Thanks giving.
Hymn 368. My God, I am Thine. CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749; Works, v. 24. Hymns for Believers.
A hymn with an extraordinary history of blessing ever since it was written. How it has been used, an incident in Joseph Entwisle s Memoir may show. He was anxiously seeking the pardoning mercy of God, when a pious young man said to him, as they were walking together along Moseley Street,
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