4 MAY 1951, Page 5

Charles Wesley 'rote over 6,500 hymns (so it is said

; I sup-1 pose they have been counted), including many of the most notable in the English language, lived and died a member of the, Church of England, and was buried in Marylebone Churchyard. That was in 1688, and a plain tombstone was erected over his grave. This was subsequently replaced by an obelisk, which in, the course of time suffered much from neglect, and later from war damage. Now, owing to the demolition of Marylebone Chapel and some street-widening operations, a large piece of the old graveyard has been made available for conversion into a memorial garden, in the centre of which the Wesley obelisk will be erected. All this is welcome news. Opinions will necessarily differ as to which is the greatest of Charles Wesley's hymns. Most Metho- dists, I fancy, would say "Come, 0 thou Traveller unknown." and I would not dissent. Yet when it comes to comparing that with " _Testi. Lover of my soul" (to be sung, essentially, to " Aberystwyth "), it is clear how unfruitful comparison often is.,