THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN*. 139
Next to Dr. Watts, Charles Wesley is the largest contributor to the "New Congregational Hyran-Book.." Watts supplies 391 hymns, Wesley, 74. In the old " Congregational Hymn-Book " there were only 34 by Charles Wesley. Several of his hymns are shortened,, and some are slightly altered.
The greater proportion of his hymns are taken from the volumes entitled " Hymns and Sacred Poems," and published in 1739, and in several later years ; but some are from the hymns written at different times on special subjects.
For example : Hymn 313
" Ye servants of God," is from " Hymns for Times of Trouble, &c." Hymn 323
" Light of those, whose dreary dwelling,"
is from " Hymns for the Nativity, &c." Hymns 820> 869, 876, are from " Hymns on the Lord s Supper." Hymns 296, 564, 566, 570, 822,898, are from," Short Hymns on Select Passages of Scripture." Hymns 364 r 661, 780, are from " Hymns for those that seek, and those that have found, &c." Hymn 394
"God is gone up on high,"
is from "Hymns for our Lord s Ascension." Hymn 437 is from u Hymns of Petition, &c., for the Promise of the Father." It is in the original
" Spirit of Faith, come down."
Hymn 487 is from " Hymns for Children, &c." Hymn 50& " Would Jesus have the sinner die ? "
is from " Hymns on God s Everlasting Love."
" Head of the Church triumphant ! "No. 318. This noble hymn, worthy of the pen of Luther, derives interest from the circumstances in which it was written. It appeared, in " Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution," 1745. England was at war with France and Spain. Many outrages were taking place throughout the country, and the Wesleyan preachers were often the victims of false charges and persecution.
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