Origin of a Favorite Hymn.
By Examiner; Chronicle
There is an interesting incident mentioned in the life of Charles Wesley, which led to the writing of one of his best known hymns. One day Mr. Wesley was sitting by an open window, looking out over the beautiful fields in summer time. Presently a little bird flitting about in the sunshine attracted his attention. Just then a hawk came sweeping down toward the little bird. The poor thing, very much frightened, was darting here and there, trying to find some place of refuge. In the bright, sunny air, in the leafy trees, or the green fields, there was no hiding place from the fierce grasp of the hawk. But seeing the open window and the man sitting by it, the bird flew in its terror toward it, and with a beating heart and quivering wing, found refuge in Mr. Wesley's bosom. He sheltered it from the threatening danger, and saved it from a cruel death. Mr. Wesley was at the time suffering severe trials, and was feeling the need of a refuge in his own time of trouble, as much as the trembling little bird did, that nestled in his bosom. So he took up his pen and wrote the beautiful hymn:— "Jesus, Saviour of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the waves of trouble roll,
While the tempest still is high."