THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS
(The number in parentheses which follows the name of the writer of a hymn indicates the hymn under which a biographical sketch of that writer will be found.)
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740; Poetical Works of J. and C. Wesley, vol. i. 299, headed, 'For the Anniversary Day of One's Conversion.' Eighteen verses. It begins—
Glory to God, and praise, and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The Church in earth and heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone,
And fill'd it with repose.
The seventh verse is—
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer's praise!
Charles Wesley was converted on May 21, 1738, so that this hymn was probably written about May 21, 1739. The poet tells us nothing about the day, save that at Mrs. Claggett's he met Whitefield, Cennick, and other friends. It is said that in May, 1739, Charles Wesley spoke to Böhler about confessing Christ, and received the reply, 'Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Him with them all'. The famous verse was thus suggested to one who never failed to make use of good material.
