Author of life divine. [Holy Communion.] This hymn for the Holy Communion is from J. & C. Wesley's Hymns on the Lord's Supper, first published in 1745, No. 40, in 2 stanzas of 6 lines. In 1875 it was included without alteration in the revised edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, and attributed to John Wesley. There is, however, no evidence that it was the composition of John as distinct from Charles Wesley. In the absence of positive evidence either way the probabilities are in favour of Charles, rather than his elder brother. It is also in common use in America. Original text in Hymns Ancient & Modern and Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. iii. p. 244.
-- 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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