Hymn Story: Jesus, Lover of My Soul

“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” was written by the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley. He wrote the hymn within months of his 1738 conversion and titled the piece “In Temptation”.  It was first published as a poem in 1740. Not until nine years after Wesley’s death was a tune added to the poem. Yet, it has become one of his […]

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Hymn Story: And can it be that I should gain

And can it be that I should gain was written by Charles Wesley in 1738. He was the eighteenth child born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley on Dec. 18, 1707. It is believed he wrote at least 6500 hymns. He wrote of many personal experiences and feelings through his hymns. And Can It Be is said to have been written […]

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Hymn Story: Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Charles Wesley wrote Jesus, Lover of My Soul only months after he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He titled his hymn “In Temptation”. Little is known about the details and inspiration of the writing of the hymn. The title “In Temptation” clues us in to he meant it to help with fighting sin. The poem was first published […]

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Faithful Heroes: Charles Wesley

If you enjoy reading my hymn stories, you will recognize the name Charles Wesley. He wrote hymns such as Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Love Divine All Loves Excelling, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Jesus Lover of My Soul, And Can It Be that I Should Gain?, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus and Christ the Lord is Risen […]

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Behind the Hymn: Love Divine All Loves Excelling

Love Divine All Love Excelling was written by Charles Wesley. Charles Wesley was born in 1707 Lincolnshire, England to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. He was the youngest of eighteen children {although nine of his siblings died as infants}. Charles and his brother, John, were founders of the Methodist movement. Often John would edit his brother’s lyrics and words. It is […]

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Hymn Story: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is Risen Today celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the conquering of death, when Jesus rose from the grave. Christ the Lord is Risen Today was written by Charles Wesley in 1739.   The original version had eleven stanzas, but did not have the alleluia’s we know today.  The hymn was first sung […]

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Behind the Hymn: Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages was written by Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady in 1763. The song was first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775. Rev. Toplady father died when he was a child. He was sixteen when he accepted Christ while on a trip to Ireland, however he’d already been preaching for four years and writing hymns for two years. His […]

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Behind the Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

Edward Perronet was born in 1726 England, the grandson of a French immigrant.  He followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the ministry. He became close friends with John and Charles Wesley, eventually leaving the Church of England and becoming a traveling Methodist minister. One story about Perronet says that Wesley encouraged him {Perronet} to preach, but he was resistant.  […]

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The Untold Story: Handel’s Messiah

I love to attend a performance of Handel’s Messiah each Christmas.  So where did it begin?  Actually, although the oratorio is most often performed at Christmas time, the premiere took place at Easter time. The oratorio was composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel.   An oratorio is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir and soloists. Charles Jennens compiled the scriptural […]

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