1 How happy the sorrowful man,
Whose sorrow is sent from above!
Indulged with a visit of pain,
Chastised by omnipotent love.
The Author of all his distress
He comes by affliction to know.
And God he in heaven shall bless,
That ever he suffered below.
2 Thus, thus may I happily grieve,
And hear the intent of His rod.
The marks of adoption receive,
The strokes of a merciful God.
With nearer access to His throne
My burden of folly confess,
The cause of my miseries own,
And cry for an answer of peace.
3 O Father of mercies, on me,
On me in affliction bestow,
A power of applying to Thee.
A sanctified use of my woe:
I would, in a spirit of prayer,
To all Thy appointments submit,
The pledge of my happiness bear,
And joyfully die at Thy feet.
4 Then, Father, and never till then,
I all the felicity prove
Of living a moment in pain,
Of dying in Jesus's love.
A sufferer here with my Lord,
With Jesus above I sit down,
Receive an eternal reward,
And glory obtain in a crown.
Source: The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal: official hymnal of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church #420
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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