1HEARKEN to the solemn voice, The awful midnight cry; Waiting souls, rejoice, rejoice, And see the Bridegroom nigh; Lo! he comes to keep his word, Light and joy his looks impart; Go ye forth to meet your Lord, And meet him in your heart.
2Ye who faint beneath the load Of sin, your heads lift up; See your great redeeming God, He comes, and bids you hope: In the midnight of your grief, Jesus doth his mourners cheer; Lo! he brings you sure relief; Believe, and feel him here.
3Ye whose loins are girt, stand forth! Whose lamps are burning bright, Worthy, in your Saviour's worth, To walk with him in white: Jesus bids your hearts be clean, Bids you all his promise prove; Jesus comes to cast out sin, And perfect you in love.
4Wait we all in patient hope, Till Christ, the Judge, shall come, We shall soon be all caught up To meet the general doom: In an hour to us unknown, As a thief in deepest night, Christ shall suddenly come down, With all his saints in light.
5Happy he whom Christ shall find Watching to see him come; Him the Judge of all mankind Shall bear triumphant home: Who can answer to his word Which of you dares meet his day "Rise, and come to judgment!"-Lord, We rise, and come away.
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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.