The Wesleys’ teaching concerning sanctification had an immense influence upon Methodist life and thought. ‘The pursuit of holiness,’ to use Dean Goulburn’s phrase, was the daily interest and delight of multitudes of devout souls. No doubt in many cases there was more or less of morbid introspection, but the rich treasury of Methodist biography witnesses to the saintliness of those who made the search for ‘full redemption,’ or, as they delighted to say, ‘perfect love,’ the one serious business of life. Important and influential as this section of Wesley’s _Hymns_ is, not many of the best are found here.[152] The finest are John Wesley’s translations from the German but only a few original compositions are of marked value. Some exceptions, indeed, must be made, notably— Love divine, all loves excelling; and there are many verses inspired by that thirst of the soul ‘for God, yea, even for the living God,’ which is characteristic of no one Church or age, but of all elect souls restless till they find rest in Him. The varying moods of the seeker after God are impressively illustrated. Some of the hymns are of a solemn and even sombre type, while others are bright with assurance of the favour of God and the gladness of the redeemed. Here are a few verses from a HYMN TO GOD THE SANCTIFIER Come, Holy Ghost, all quickening fire! Come, and my hallowed heart inspire, Sprinkled with the atoning blood; Now to my soul Thyself reveal, Thy mighty working let me feel, And know that I am born of God. Thy witness with my spirit bear, That God, my God, inhabits there; Thou, with the Father, and the Son, Eternal Light’s co-eval Beam; Be Christ in me, and I in Him, Till perfect we are made in one. Let earth no more my heart divide, With Christ may I be crucified, To Thee with my whole soul aspire; Dead to the world and all its toys, Its idle pomp, and fading joys, Be thou alone my one desire! Be Thou my joy, be Thou my dread; In battle cover Thou my head, Nor earth nor hell I then shall fear; I then shall turn my steady face, Want, pain, defy, enjoy disgrace, Glory in dissolution near. My will be swallowed up in Thee; Light in Thy light still may I see, Beholding Thee with open face; Called the full power of faith to prove, Let all my hallowed heart be love, And all my spotless life be praise. Come, Holy Ghost, all-quickening fire, My consecrated heart inspire, Sprinkled with the atoning blood; Still to my soul Thyself reveal, Thy mighty working may I feel, And know that I am one with God! Of the other type two bright verses on 1 Chron. xxix. 5 are a good example— Lord, in the strength of grace, With a glad heart and free, Myself, my residue of days I consecrate to Thee. Thy ransomed servant, I Restore to Thee Thine own, And, from this moment, live or die To serve my God alone.