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.
�� �
