========================================================================
  THROW MR WESLEY'S HYMNS OVERBOARD
  by John Wesley
========================================================================

Summary: John Wesley warns against the dangers of worldly literature and
emphasizes the importance of Godly knowledge and poetry that honors God.

Topics: "Spiritual Understanding", "Value of Hymns"
Scripture References: Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 100:2, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:12

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Wesley reflects on the value of his brother's hymns, contrasting
them with the works of contemporary writers who may charm with their
eloquence but lack true understanding of God. He recounts an anecdote
about Mr. Garrick allegedly throwing Wesley's hymns overboard, which he
finds hard to believe, asserting that his brother's poetic and
theological depth surpasses that of many celebrated authors. Wesley
emphasizes the importance of recognizing the spiritual significance of
hymns and their role in guiding believers towards a deeper relationship
with God. He concludes with a powerful sermon that resonates with his
audience, many of whom are visibly moved.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon 28 1789: I retired to Peckham; and at leisure hours read part of a
very pretty trifle, the Life of Mrs. Bellamy. Surely never did any,
since John Dryden, study more to make vice pleasing, and damnation
shine, than this lively and elegant writer. She has a fine imagination;
a strong understanding; an easy style, improved by much reading; a fine,
benevolent temper; and every qualification that could consist with a
total ignorance of God. But God was not in all her thoughts. Abundance
of anecdotes she inserts, which may be true or false. One of them,
concerning Mr. Garrick, is curious. She says, "When he was taking ship
for England, a lady presented him with a parcel, which she desired him
not to open till he was at sea.

When he did he found Wesley's Hymns, which he immediately threw
overboard." I cannot believe it. I think Mr. G had more sense. He knew
my brother well; and he knew him to be not only far superior in
learning, but in poetry, to Mr. Thomson, and all his theatrical writers
put together: None of them can equal him, either in strong, nervous
sense, or purity and elegance of language. The musical compositions of
his sons are not more excellent than the poetical ones of their father.

In the evening I preached to a crowded congregation, some of whom seemed
a good deal affected

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-wesley/throw-mr-wesleys-hymns-overboard/
========================================================================