Come, desire of nations, come; Hasten, Lord, &c. C. Wesley. [Second Advent.] Written as one of the Hymns Occasioned by the Earthquake, March 8, 1750, and first published in a tract bearing that title during the same year. The unusual visitation of the earthquake created a great sensation in London and the neighbourhood, and the excitement of the people did much to set forth the calm faith, and to bring out the sterling worth of the Wesleys. The feelings of both were embodied in the hymns which C. Wesley wrote on the occasion. This particular hymn was included in J. Wesley's Select Hymns with Tunes annext, 1761, and other works, and in the Wesleyan Hymn Book as one of the "Additional Hymns," circ. 1800. It is retained in the new edition, 1875, and is found in several collections in Great Britain and America. Original text in Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. vi p. 48.
--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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