Jesus, Thou all-redeeming Lord, Thy blessing, &c. C. Wesley. [General. ] Appeared in Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1749, vol. i., p. 316, in 18 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "Before Preaching to the Colliers in Leicestershire" (Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. v. p. 121). In 1780 two hymns compiled, with slight alterations, therefrom: (1) "Jesus, Thou all-redeeming Lord," being stanzas i., ii., iv., v., vi.-ix.; (2) "Lovers of pleasure more than God: being stanzas xi., xii., xvii., xviii., were included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, Nos. 34, 35, and continued in subsequent editions. Also found in other collections. In addition to these, a cento beginning “Lover of souls, Thou well canst prize," is given in Kennedy, 1863, No. 627. It is compiled from the Wesleyan Hymn Book, pt. i., as above, stanzas iii.-viii., with slight alterations and a doxology.
--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 >
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