Dayspring Discipleship Institute

                                  ‘Tis Music in the Sinners’ Ears

      More than six thousand five hundred hymns—from the heart of one man, many inspired by his older brother.  His brother, John, inspired him to write such hymns as Jesus, Lover of my Soul and Blessed be the Name.  When they pondered Jesus, Lover of My Soul, they decided it was “too sentimental,” but over the years it has become one of the most endearing hymns of faith.
     John and Charles Wesley attended Christ’s College at Oxford in the 1730’s.  The two brothers were invited to speak and sing at what turned out to be a poorly attended gathering in London.  They left the meeting somewhat downcast only to encounter a large, boisterous crowd of more than a thousand leaving a sporting event.  As they looked on the faces of the people coming toward them, John turned to Charles and said, “Oh Charles, if only I had a thousand tongues to tell these about our Savior!”
     In his room that night, Charles sat down and wrote O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.

O For a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.

My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad,
The honors of Thy name.


The Journey, March 2006 

Some of the Many Hymns by Charles Wesley

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Blessed Be the Name
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Depth of Mercy
Ye Servants of God
Rejoice, The Lord Is King
‘Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies
Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise

From Wesley’s Hymn “And Can It Be”

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;
O praise my God,
It reaches me.

Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fastbound in sin and nature’s night;
Thin 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.

Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

  
-- Words by Charles Wesley, 1707 – 1788

The Journey, May 2003