1BY the holy hills surrounded, On her firm base securely founded, Stands fast the city of the Lord; None shall rend her walls asunder; On her men look with fear and wonder, And mark who here keeps watch and ward. He slumbers not, nor sleeps, Who his loved Israel keeps. Hallelujah! Happy the race Who through God's grace Shall have in her their dwelling place!
2Zion's gates Jehovah loveth, And with especial grace approveth; He maketh fast her bolts and bars; Those who dwell in her he blesses, And comforts them in their distresses Who cast on him their griefs and cares. How wonderful the grace With which he doth embrace All his people! City of God, How sweet the abode On which such blessings are bestowed!
3Taught in thee is a salvation Unknown to every other nation; There great and holy things are heard, In the midst of thee abiding, Enlightening, comforting and guiding, Thou hast the Spirit, and the Word; There breathing peace around Is heard the joyful sound, Grace and mercy! How sweet that is, Which here speaks peace, There crowns with everlasting bliss.
4Nations that have never known thee, From the world's end shall come to own thee, And eagerly to Zion run; Even to those in darkness sitting The Lord shall show when he sees fitting What once for all the world was done. Where is the Son of God Where is his blest abode All enquiring, Till far and wide On every side, The Lord is praised and magnified.
5Dry your tears, ye hearts nigh broken Of Zion it shall yet be spoken, "How do her citizens increase!" Men shall see with fear and wonder How God builds Zion up, and ponder His love and truth who hath wrought this. Lift up your heads! at last The night of death has past From the heathen; The day shall break When they awake, And Israel their joy partake.
6Mother thou of every nation Which here has sought and found salvation, O Zion, yet on earth shalt be: Hark! what shouts the air are rending! What cries to heaven's gates ascending! All our fresh springs shall be in thee. From thee the waters burst, To slake our burning thirst. Hallelujah! From sin and death God's own word saith That he alone delivereth.
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Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788)
Was an English hymn writer, poet, and preacher who wrote over 5,500 hymns including And Can It Be That I Should Gain?, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. A leader of the Methodist movement with his brother John Wesley.Wesley's conversion had a clear impact on his doctrine, especially the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The change in doctrine can be seen in his sermons after 1738, but is most notable in his hymns written after 1738. From Charles published work “Hymns and Prayers to the Trinity” and in Hymn number 62 he writes “The Holy Ghost in part we know, For with us He resides, Our whole of good to Him we owe, Whom by His grace he guides, He doth our virtuous thoughts inspire, The evil he averts, And every seed of good desire, He planted in our hearts.”
Charles Wesley is best known for his prolific hymn writing, his poetry and for being one of the founding fathers of the Methodist denomination of Christianity. He wrote more than six thousand hymns, of which a handful remain in modern day worship.
John and Charles Wesley's Methodist style was to take the word of God to people, wherever they were, rather than try to get them into a church to hear it. The numbers of converts grew and were gathered into 'societies' to nurture their faith.
With their helpers they began their travelling ministry, covering thousands of miles on horseback over the years throughout England and in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with London, Bristol, and Newcastle being the main centres of their work.
The high-intensity preaching took its toll on Charles; he suffered from nervous exhaustion and severe depression. He was 80 when he died on 29th March 1788. With his famous carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing heard everywhere from cathedrals to supermarkets, the legacy of Charles Wesley is likely to continue for years to come.
Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley (the Younger), and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley.
Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother John did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote. He founded Wesley Chapel in the village of Brayton, which is just south of Selby. His house, located nearby, can still be visited today.