Echoes of the Prayer-Book in Wesley's Hymns. By George Waring-
ton, B.A. (W. W. Gardner.)—It is generally known that many of our best hymns were written by the Wesleys, and especially by Charles Wesley. Few, however, are aware how numerous these hymns are. We are told, in the preface to this book, that "The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley," published by the Wesleyan Conference in 1872, fill thirteen volumes. In this selection, the various parts of the Prayer-book—a book very dear to the Wesleys—are illustrated by hymns written by Charles Wesley, metrical versions of the Psalms by his brother, and a few translations of German hymns by the same writer. Charles Wesley's hymns are by no means all of equal merit, and it is gratifying to find that nearly all the best of them are still familiar to our churches. Nevertheless, the reader of this book will find much that is excellent among the less well-known hymns, and especially among those in the "Occasional Services." We quote one very short hymn, which illustrates that which was highest in Charles Wesley's belief and teaching. It is on the Collect for St. John's Day :— " Jesus, full of truth and grace, Show my heart thy heavenly face ; Shine, the true, Eternal Light, Put my darkness all to flight.
Then my sin shall disappear ; Healed of all my evils here, Then I as my Lord shall shine, Blended with the Light Divine."
The reader should note hymn 103, the last stanza of which is very striking.
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