Yet one who knows little of early Methodism would be surprised to find how ‘sober’ is the tone of most of the hymns provided for the people called Methodists. They are songs in which ‘calmly reverential joy’ is more often heard than ecstasy. It is instructive to turn from Mr. Lecky’s chapter on ‘The Religious Revival,’ in his _History of England in the Eighteenth Century_ to Wesley’s hymns. The uninstructed reader of Mr. Lecky would expect to find here the turbid, involved, hysterical expression of a morbid fanaticism, but he would search almost in vain for illustrations of that side of the Methodist Movement. It is true that both the Wesleys were perplexed by the physical effects of their preaching, and were afraid to treat them as mere manifestations of hysterical excitement. But they dealt with them as St. Paul dealt with somewhat similar phenomena at Corinth, and carefully avoided encouraging such painful and inconvenient interruptions of their services. The hymn-book makes no provision for the nervously excited, and has no compositions of the class characteristic of many ‘revivals’—such, for instance, as are found in Hugh Bourne’s _Hymns for Camp Meetings, Revivals, etc._ The novelty, the directness of the preaching, and, no doubt, the lack of education of many of the preachers naturally led to indiscretion in many places, especially in the early days of the Revival; but it is fair to judge the Wesleys’ own standard of religious emotion by their hymns rather than by the extravagances of their least intelligent helpers. Charles Wesley’s hymn, ‘For the Fear of God,’ is a good example of the attitude of soul he desired for himself and for Methodists generally. God of all grace and majesty, Supremely great and good! If I have mercy[148] found with Thee, Through the atoning blood, The guard of all Thy mercies give, And to my pardon join A fear lest I should ever grieve The gracious Spirit divine. Rather I would in darkness mourn The absence of Thy peace, Than e’er by light irreverence turn Thy grace to wantonness: Rather I would in painful awe Beneath Thine anger move, Than sin against the gospel law Of liberty and love. But O! Thou wouldst not have me live In bondage, grief, or pain, Thou dost not take delight to grieve The helpless sons of men; Thy will is my salvation, Lord; And let it now take place, And let me tremble at the word Of reconciling grace. Still may I walk as in Thy sight, My strict observer see; And Thou by reverent love unite My child-like heart to Thee; Still let me, till my days are past, At Jesu’s feet abide, So shall He lift me up at last, And seat me by His side.