WB Thanksgiving Hymn
November 29, 1759, Charles Wesley published several Thanksgiving Hymns to commemorate England’s safety and victory against France amid The Seven Year’s War (1756-63). As France was prepared to invade England, British Admiral Edward Hawke led the defensive charge, sinking or capturing six French vessels and causing the remainder to retreat. This victory marked the end of France’s plans to invade England, and the end of their fleet as an effective offense. November 29 was declared a day for public thanksgiving, and Charles’ hymns were used as a reminder that it was God’s hand that saved England from invasion, and to remember and mourn the lives lost in battle (for more information see Randy Maddox’s introduction at this link).
As I sorted through the hymns, Hymn IV stood out to me above the rest. I sing it to the tune of “Oh God Our Help In Ages Past.”
1 Sing to the Lord by whom we live, From whom our blessings spring, Who doth to us salvation give, And vict’ry to our king.
2 Thee, Conqueror of our foes we greet, Thee, Lord of hosts proclaim, And cast our laurels at thy feet, And tremble at thy name.
3 With lowly reverential joy Thy mercy we embrace, This solemn interval employ In ceaseless prayer and praise.
4 Whate’er these threatning wars portend, Whate’er thy will decrees, Our souls that on thy love depend Are kept in perfect peace.
5 Our loving confidence is sure, Our Guardian-Rock stands fast, Under its shade we dwell secure, ’Till every storm is past.
6 Who rest beneath th’ Almighty’s wings, May cast their cares away: Whate’er event tomorrow brings, We live for God to-day.
Charles acknowledges that along with the joy and safety the comes from this victory, the war isn’t over. The Seven Year’s War was only a few years in, and no one knew how long it would last (obviously they didn’t name it that till after the fact). Charles commends giving thanks to God and celebrating victory even in the midst of uncertain futures.
“Whate’er event tomorrow brings, we live for God to-day.”
I wonder what that kind of peace looks like for you today. Perhaps you are celebrating the victory of your presidential candidate, but remain uncertain about what the future holds. Perhaps you are tentatively gathering with a few loved ones to celebrate the holiday but remain fearful of serious illness. Perhaps the holidays themselves carry for you a mixed bag of emotions, bittersweet memories of what has been lost. I’m curious what it means to you to call God “our Guardian-Rock,” to find peace and security in God today regardless of the storms and wars that surround us. I think this is the sort of hope we dwell on in Advent, the already-not yet sense that both “God is with us” and yet “How long?”
New Charlie Baber
The Rev. Charlie Baber, author of Wesley Bros cartoon.
Creator of the Wesley Bros cartoon, the Rev. Charlie Baber, a United Methodist deacon, serves at Highland United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C. His cartoon appears on United Methodist Insight by special arrangement.