THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED
INTRODUCTORY
I
WESLEY HYMNS AND HYMN-BOOKS
JOHN WESLEY is the father of Methodist hymnody. On his voyage to Georgia in 1735 he was deeply impressed by the quiet courage of the German emigrants on board. He refers in his Journal to the way in which they calmly sang on when a great sea broke over the vessel at the time they were holding service. He began to learn German three days after he went on board the Simmonds off Gravesend, 'in order to converse with the Germans', and gave his mornings from nine to twelve to this study. He was drawn into very intimate relations with the Moravians, both on board ship and at Savannah. He translated many of their hymns 'for the use of our own congregations'. In 1737, Lewis Timothy printed for him at Charlestown a Collection of Psalms and Hymns, which marks the birth of Methodist hymnody. Charles Wesley had sailed for England in October, 1736, so that he had no share in this little book. Its existence was unknown till 1878, when a copy was purchased in London for a few shillings. Some years after it was sold for £5. and in 1894 £24 was refused for it at a sale by auction. Through the kindness of Mr. W. T. Brooke, of Hackney, to whom the discovery of this treasure was due, a reprint was made in 1882. It contains forty pieces for Sunday, twenty for Wednesday or Friday, and eighteen (counting each part as a psalm or hymn) for Saturday. Half the contents are from Dr.
