Wesley Corpus

Elegy on Robert Jones (1742)1 Baker list, 60 Editorial Introduction: Robert Jones of Fonmon Castle, Glamorganshire, was born there in 1706 and died June 8, 1742. He had been a contemporary of Charles Wesley at Christ Church, Oxford, though they were not acquainted at the time. This was in part because Jones was wealthy and chose not to finish his studies. He went on the typical "grand tour" of Europe, then returned to his estate, was married, and became a local magistrate. In 1741 he came under the preaching of Howell Harris and began to support the Methodists. It was through this contact that Charles Wesley was welcomed to Fonmon Castle for the first of many visits on July 15, 1741. Wesley and Jones quickly became close friends, making it a great blow when Jones died a year later, at the age of 36. This lengthy poem was clearly designed as a personal tribute and biography in verse. However, Charles also used it as a weapon in the ongoing doctrinal disputes with the Calvinistic Methodists (cf. lns. 432ff below). This threatened to strain relationships with Howell Harris and others, so the Countess of Huntingdon tried to prevent publication of the elegy. But Charles was not deterred, having it issued by Felix Farley in 1742 (likely in August). John Wesley subsequently included it in the Moral and Sacred Poems (1744), 3:210-32. Editions: Charles Wesley. Elegy on the Death of Robert Jones, Esq. of Fonmon Castle in Glamorganshire, South Wales. Bristol: Farley, 1742. 2nd Bristol: Farley, 1748. 2nd London: New Chapel, 1789. Last updated: Sept. 11, 2012. Page 3 On the Death of Robert Jones, Esq. And is he gone to his eternal rest! So suddenly receiv'd among the blest? Yet will I make his fair memorial stay, Bring back his virtue into open day, The sinner, convert, friend, and dying saint display. Soon as the morn of opening life begun, His simpleness pursu'd a God unknown; Giver of life, the all-alluring Dove, Did on his soul with early influence move, Brooding he sat; infus'd the young desire,