Jesus, lover of my soul

In Temptation

Jesus, lover of my soul
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last

2 Other refuge have I none ;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee ;
Leave, ah ! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

3 Wilt Thou not regard my call ?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer ?
Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall!
Lo, on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand !
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold I live!

4 Thou, O Christ, art all I want ;
More than all in Thee I find:
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name ;
I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.

5 Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.

Of all hymns in the English language this, no doubt, is loved the best. It was written in 1740 by the Rev.Charles Wesley; born 1707, died 1788. He was a clergyman of the Church of England, and took an active part in the Methodist movement, in which his brother John was the leader, and out of which all the Methodist churches have grown. The Wesleys put great faith in the power of hymns to teach religious truths to the people and to reach their hearts. Charles Wesley wrote more than 6000 hymns. Some were printed in hymn-books to be sung at the Methodist meetings, and some in tracts to be read and committed to memory at home. He was among the greatest of all hymn writers, and many of his hymns are sung in all branches of the Church.

[NOTE.—Verse 1, line 3. Nearerwaters. ' In a wide expanse of waters a distant part may be lashed into fury by a passing storm, whilst around a given ship there is perfect calm. Or the nearer waters may be affected, while the distant waters are sleeping in the silent air. In life, as in nature, storms are local. And men cry for help, not against distant dangers, but out of their immediate troubles. Their life is amid "the nearer waters " of temptations, and to them the Lover of souls is indispensable.' J. Julian.]