Wesley Corpus

Last updated: Jan. 14, 2008. Elegy on Whitefield (1771)1 Baker list, 326 Editorial Introduction: George Whitefield, long-time associate of the Wesley brothers, died on September 30, 1770, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, while on another of his preaching tours in the American colonies. John Wesley honored his fallen colleague with A Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, published in late November of that year. Charles Wesley added a brief funeral hymn to that sermon see "Hymn on the Death of Whitefield" (1770). Charles followed this brief hymn with a much longer elegy, which he completed and published in February 1771. Editions: Charles Wesley. An Elegy on the late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. .... Bristol: Pine, 1771. Dublin: Kidd, 1771. Page 3 And is my Whitefield entred into rest, With sudden death, with sudden glory blest? Left for a few sad moments here behind, I bear his image on my faithful mind; To future times the fair example tell Of one who lived, of one who died, so well, Pay the last office of fraternal love, And then embrace my happier friend above. O thou who didst, in our degenerate days, This chosen vessel for thy glory raise, My heart with my companion's zeal inspire, And touch my lips with the celestial fire, Page 4 That while thy servant's labours I record, Sinners may see, and magnify his Lord, Bow to the saving name, and thankful own The good on earth perform'd is wrought by God alone. His sovereign grace vouchsaf'd a worm to chuse, The vessel fitting for the Master's use: God from the womb set for himself apart A pastor fashion'd after his own heart; Infus'd the infant-wish, the warm desire, To minister like that angelic quire, And bad his simple soul to heaven aspire. Awed, and delighted with a God unknown, By glimpses of his face led gently on, The powerful, sweet attraction he pursued, And fear'd the croud, and sigh'd for solitude; His sins and wants in secret to declare, Or wait for blessings in the house of prayer, Devotion by the altar-fire to raise, And join the first-born church in solemn songs of praise. But now the Lord, who sends by whom he will, Ready his own great purpose to fulfil,