Father of lights, from Whom proceeds. C. Wesley. First published in Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1739, in 8 stanzas of 6 lines, and entitled “A Prayer under Convictions." The first five stanzas were given in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, as No. 96, and repeated in later editions, and in other collections. Another arrangement appeared in Toplady's Psalms & Hymns, 1776, No. 284, and subsequent editions. It is in 8 stanzas. The first six are from the original as above, and the remaining two are the first and last stanzas of Psalms cxxxix. in the Wesley Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1739. This cento is sometimes found in Church of England hymnals. Original texts, Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. i. 76, 87.
--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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