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Some have acclaimed “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” by Charles Wesley, the greatest hymn ever written in English. However, Charles’s brother John did not like the hymn when he first read it. John thought it was too sentimental. The hymn did not become popular until after Charles’ death.
How did Charles come to write the hymn? One story is he was returning to England in fall 1736, after serving as Governor Oglethorpe's secretary in the new colony of Georgia. A frightening storm arose, and it seemed the ship would sink. A frightened bird flew into Charles’ window and sought safety in the folds of his coat. Another story says the hymn was written when an angry mob drove Charles and John from where they were preaching, due to the mob not liking their doctrine. Charles was beaten and composed the hymn while hiding under a hedge. The following was given by Mary Hoover to her pastor, regarding a story in her family tradition:
Charles Wesley was preaching in the fields of Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland. Men who did not approve of his doctrine attacked Charles. He found refuge in a house on what was called the Island Barn Farm. The farmer’s wife, Jane Lowrie Moore, told Charles to hide in the milkhouse down in the garden. Soon the mob came and demanded the fugitive; Jane tried to quiet them by offering them refreshments. Going down to the milkhouse, she told Charles to go through the rear window and hide under the hedge, by which ran a little brook. In that hiding-place and with cries of his pursuers all about him, Charles wrote “Jesus Lover of My Soul.”
Thankfully, John Wesley’s opinion that the hymn is too sentimental is wrong. There is a need for us, like Charles’, to express tender, delicate, and gentile feelings of love to our Beloved and Best Friend.
Suggestion for Reflection
Read or sing prayerfully “Jesus Lover of My Soul.”
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
(For audio go to http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/l/jlmysoul.htm )
Suggested Exercise
Write your own prayer or poem to Christ using the language of delicate love.
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