Wesley Corpus

Last updated: Sept. 3, 2007. Earthquake Hymns, Pt. II (1750)1 Baker list, 182 Editorial Introduction: The setting for this continuation of Charles Wesley's reflections on the earthquakes that struck London in 1750 is described in the introduction to Earthquake Hymns, Pt. I (1750). The thirteen new hymns included in this second part continue the tone and themes of Part One. For a more detailed introduction to this collection, see Karen Beth Westerfield Tucker, "'On the Occasion': Charles Wesley's Hymns on the London Earthquakes of 1750," Methodist History 42 Editions: Charles Wesley. Hymns occasioned by the Earthquake, March 8, 1750, Pt. II. London: Strahan, 2nd London, 1756. "in 2 parts" bound with 3rd edn. of Earthquake Hymns, Pt. I (1750) 2nd Bristol: Farley, 1756. adds "Hymns for 1756" Table of Contents Hymn I Hymn II Hymn III Hymn IV Hymn V Hymn VI Hymn VII Hymn VIII Hymn IX Hymn X Hymn XI Hymn XII Hymn XIII Page 3 Hymn I. And are thy plagues and mercies, Lord, Already out of mind? Thy threatening and preserving word So quickly cast behind? The crowd alarm'd with short surprize, And spar'd, alas! In vain, Started, and half unseal'd their eyes, And dropp'd to sleep again. If trouble for a moment seize Their unawaken'd breast, The trouble but confirms their peace, The earthquake rocks to rest. Thy words behind their back they cast, Thy patient pity scorn, Nor thank thee for the judgment past, Nor dream of its return. Page 4 But whether they thine hand will see, Or still thine anger dare, Saviour of men, we turn to thee, With thankfulness, and prayer. We own thy mercy in the stroke, Thy praise to thee we give, That when the earth beneath us shook, Thou wouldst not let it cleave. The cause of all, our nation's sin, We mournfully confess; But thou who didst the shock begin, Hast made the motion cease. Vapours and damps confess'd their God, And did thy word fulfil, And earth observ'd its Maker's nod, And trembled, and was still. Accepting our deliverance, Lord, Our long, or short, reprieve, Thy wond'rous goodness we record, And to thy glory live. We never will the grace forget, But thankfully improve, And still in songs of praise repeat Thy providential love.