Wesley Corpus

Lord, I accept the sign, And bless thy love divine: 11The manuscript precursor of this hymn in MS Shent, 167a-167b specifies that this is for Anne Cowper. Another hymn for the same occasion in found in MSP, 3:285-88. Anne (1713-43) and her sister Frances were daughters of William Cowper, Esq. (1695-1756), Knight Harbinger to George II. Their mother Anne was deceased by 1741. The sisters lived in East Barnet, Hertfordshire and were friends with Lord and Lady Huntingdon, whose home in Enfield Chase was nearby. The sisters were converted and drawn into the Methodist movement by CW in Oct. 1741. He intrusted them to Lady Huntingdon's care. In Feb. 1742 Anne and her sister accompanied the Countess first to Bath, then to her estate in Donington Park, where Francis died on May 27, 1742 (see pp. 17-19 below). Anne returned to East Barnet, but soon became ill herself, and died September 7, 1743. Page 15 Thou hast thro' the mortal vale Led her to the realms above, Caught her from the toils of hell, Plac'd her on a throne of love. I, I shall conquer too, Like her shall all break thro'! To my heav'nly friends convey'd, I shall share the marriage-feast: Pants my soul on earth delay'd, Gasps for her eternal rest. Come, O my Saviour, come, Receive thy servant home! Now recall thy banish'd one, Draw me from the tent of clay: Hear'st thou not thy Spirit's groan? Come, my Saviour, come away! O come, the Spirit cries, O come, the bride replies! Thee I call with ev'ry breath; Let me die to see thy day, Snatch me from this life of death; Come, my Saviour, come away! Hymn XI. (On the Death of E. B. of Kingswood.) Rejoice, ye sons of light, Over a saint deceast! The happy soul hath took its flight, And enter'd into rest: Tost to and fro no more On life's tempestuous sea, The happy soul hath reach'd the shore Of calm eternity. Page 16 She at the welcome word Is out of prison fled, Releas'd from her oppressive lord, And free among the dead: The bloody husband's power Did with her breath expire, And lo! She lives to die no more Amidst yon angel-quire.