Wherewith, O God, shall I draw near? C.Wesley. [Lent.] First published in the Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1739, p. 88, in 13 stanzas of 4 lines, and based on Micah vi. 6, &c. (Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. i. p. 276). It is given in centos in the hymn-books as follows:—
1. Wherewith, 0 God, shall I draw near! In the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 123, and several modern collections. It is composed of 10 stanzas, stanzas iv., vii. and xi. being omitted.
2. Wherewith, 0 Lord, shall I draw near? In A. M. Toplady's Psalms & Hymns, 1776, No. 47, and later hymn-books in the Church of England. It embodies stanzas i.-iii., viii.-xiii. slightly altered.
3. Jesus, the Lamb of God, hath bled. In several modern collections. It begins with stanza x.; but the choice of stanzas varies.
4. See, where before the throne He stands. Usually composed of stanzas xii., xiii.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >
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