The Lion's Den

I had no idea how much flak Charles Wesley took as a preacher. Reading this morning from John Tyson’s Assist Me To Proclaim, I learned about the many times he preached through showers of rocks and eggs being thrown at him. There were times his antagonizers tore down the preaching house and one incident in which they literally tore off the end of another man’s home where Charles was staying to try to get at him. After one of those episodes, Charles journal entry says, "Blessed be God, I got no hurt, but only eggs and dirt" (142)!

Charles’ trust in Christ has been evident to us that marvel over the gobs of hymns that poured out of him (estimated between 6,000-9,000!), but it is interesting to learn about some of his experiences that likely fueled his prolific writing.

Here are a couple verses from “Christ the Friend of Sinners” that may have been written upon his conversion. He may have remembered these lines with every rock that sailed his way!

4        No—though the ancient dragon rage,

          And call forth all his hosts to war;

Though earth’s self-righteous sons engage;

          Them, and their god, alike I dare:

Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, proclaim;

Jesus, to sinners still the same

5        Outcasts of men, to you I call,

          Harlots, and publicans, and theives!

He spreads His arms to’ embrace you all;

          Sinners alone His grace recieves:

No need of Him the righteous  have,

He came the lost to seek and save.