Wesley Corpus

Hymns for the National Fast (1782)1 Baker list, 424 Editorial Introduction: On October 19, 1781, the American and French forces successfully forced the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, in the Battle of the Chesapeake. While formal peace was still over a year away, this decisive victory marked the end of a major British land force in North America. As news of the defeat reached England, George III progressively lost control of Parliament. In an attempt to rally support, on January 20, 1782, George called for a public fast to be observed on February 8, to beseech God to bless the British land and sea forces in the ongoing battle with the colonies. Charles Wesley quickly pulled together this collection of fifteen hymns for the occasion. After appearing in its own right, this collection was appended to Hymns for the Nation (1781). This larger collection was then issued in an abridged form, omitting seven hymns that focused mainly on the rebellious Americans.2 Editions: Charles Wesley. Hymns for the National Fast, Feb. 8, 1782. London: Paramore, 1782. Hymns for the Nation in 1782, in Two Parts. London: Paramore 1782? . (incorporated as hymns 18-32) Hymns for the Nation in 1782. London: Paramore 1782?. (combined edition omitting hymns 2, 3, 8, 12, 16, 21 22) Last updated: Feb. 4, 2008. 2This abridgment was at the request of JW; see JW to John Atlay, Apr. 4, 1782. Table of Contents Hymn I Hymn II Hymn III Hymn IV. Habbakuk 1 Hymn V Hymn VI. Malachi 4:1 Hymn VII Hymn VIII Hymn IX Hymn X Hymn XI. Part the First Hymn XII. Part the Second Hymn XIII Hymn XIV. For Peace Hymn XV. Another Page 3 Hymn I. Let every prophet cry aloud, Lift up the voice, the trumpet blow, Shew their transgression to the crowd, The nation's sin to Britons show, That sin which marks the worst of times, Which heaven with most displeasure sees, Which fills the measure of our crimes, Profane, extreme UNGODLINESS! Thro' every rank and order spread: The poor and rich, the low and high, Alike disdain their God to dread, And him throughout their lives deny: His laws, thro' ignorance of him, His providence they dare disown, Neglect, despise, insult, blaspheme, And all defy the God unknown. Page 4