Wesley Corpus

Hymns on the Lord's Supper (1745)1 Baker list, 98 Editorial Introduction: One of the most recognized characteristics of the early Methodist revival is the increased place given to singing in formal and informal worship. Equally central, though sometimes less recognized, is the emphasis of the Wesley brothers on frequent reception of the Lord's Supper. These two characteristics came together with the introduction of singing during reception of the bread and cup. It appears from the charges brought against him in Georgia that John Wesley began this practice prior to the revival (see his MS Journal, 21-22 Aug. 1737, Works 18:555). It became common practice in Methodist celebration of the Lord's Supper. This required the gathering of appropriate songs for such use. Several selections appeared in the first collection focused on funding Methodist worship HSP (1739). John also included a few in the collection aimed more toward Anglican worship CPH (1741). These were supplemented in March 1745 by publication of Hymns on the Lord's Supper, which is likely the largest single collection in Christian history of hymns devoted specifically to this focus. HLS (1745) was prefaced by an extract of Daniel Brevint's The Christian Sacrament and Sacrifice (1673), which highlighted the various theological dimensions of communion. This was followed by 166 hymns gathered into groups corresponding to the six sub-sections of the preface. John Wesley was responsible for the extract of Brevint (not included below). While the hymns are again unidentified, scholars concur that the vast majority come from the pen of Charles. Seven of the hymns (signified by blue font in the Table of Contents) are taken over, with slight revisions, from HSP (1739); the remainder are new. Three of the seven repeats are adaptations from other authors, and comprise those most likely the work of John. For more reflection on the issue of authorship in this specific work see Daniel Stevick, The Altar's Fire: Charles Wesley's Hymns on the Lord's Supper (Peterborough: Epworth, 2004), 247-49. Charles's journal and letters give little information on the composition of these hymns. He surely was writing occasional verse on this theme over the years. But the strong echoes of the exposition of Brevint in many of the hymns suggest that they were composed in a focused setting, likely near the time of publication. This volume proved popular in Methodist worship, going through nine British editions over the next forty years.