Wesley Corpus

Thanksgiving Hymns (1759)1 Baker list, 237 Editorial Introduction: The Seven Year's War (1756-63) engulfed most of Europe, with Prussia joining Britain as allies against France, Russia, Austria, Sweden, and others. While the British and Prussian forces enjoyed some initial encouraging victories, things took a negative turn in the first half of 1759. Frederick the Great and the Prussian forces suffered some severe defeats and there was growing threat of a French invasion of England. Charles Wesley responded to this threat by publishing in July a set of hymns pleading for God to intervene and defend Britain in this dangerous hour see Invasion Hymns (1759). From Charles's perspective, these prayers were dramatically answered in mid-November. On the 14th of that month Admiral Hubert de Brienne, Marshal de Conflans, headed the main French fleet of twenty-two vessels out of Brest harbor in an attempt to release his transports at Rochefort and then push on for England. He was pursued by Admiral Edward Hawke, in command of twentythree ships of the Channel Fleet, and overtaken at the entrance of Quiberon Bay. Hawke attacked on the night of November 20, sinking or capturing six of Conflans' ships, while the remainder fled. This victory resulted in the end of French invasion plans and the termination of the French fleet as an effective offensive force. A day of public thanksgiving for this victory was declared in Britain, set for November 29. Charles Wesley prepared a set of Thanksgiving Hymns that could be used on the day and after it. Some of the hymns were clearly written for the specific occasion. Others are more general in nature and likely gathered from earlier manuscripts. Their broad concern is to remind the British of God's role in any victory and to mourn the loss of life. Edition: Charles Wesley. Hymns to be Used on the Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1759, and After it. London: Strahan, 1759. Last updated: February 5, 2010. Table of Contents Hymn I Hymn II Hymn III Hymn IV Hymn V Hymn VI Hymn VII Hymn VIII Hymn IX Hymn X Hymn XI Hymn XII. The Song of Moses, Sung by ... Hymn XIII Hymn XIV Hymn XV Hymn XVI Page 13 Hymn I.