Arm of the Lord, awake, awake. Thine own, &c. C. Wesley. [Missions.] This hymn was included in the first three editions of Hymns & Sacred Poems, all of which were published in 1739, but omitted in the fourth and fifth editions. In 1749 it was included in another series of Hymns & Sacred Poems, as the second part of a paraphrase of the 51st of Isaiah in 10 stanzas of 4 lines. In 1780, 6 stanzas were included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, No. 375, and are retained in the revised edition of 1875, No. 386. The same arrangement is also found in several collections both in Great Britain and America. Original text, Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. iv. p. 302. Another hymn opening with the same first line, and of a similar character, was published in C. Wesley's Hymns written in the time of the Tumults, June 1780, No. ix., Bristol, 1780. The Tumults referred to took place in London. It is not in common use. Original text, Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. viii. p. 273.
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
