Alphabetical Index to the First Lines of All Stanzas of Poetry by John and Charles Wesley

This is the first-ever index of the first line of every stanza of all the poems and hymns in the publications of John and Charles Wesley, as well as those of other authors included in their publications. Two sources have been used as the basis for the creation of the index: (1) George Osborn, The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley, thirteen volumes published between 1868 and 1872; (2) S T Kimbrough, Jr., Oliver A. Beckerlegge, The Unpublished Poetry of Charles Wesley, three volumes published in 1988, 1990, and 1992. The index in volume 13 of Osborn's work was an attempt to produce a first-line index of all stanzas of the poems included in the thirteen-volume work. There were hundreds of omissions and occasional misspellings. Due to lack of space, first lines were often abbreviated, thus providing often only portions of first lines. In this index first lines of all poem stanzas are printed in full, omissions are included, and misspellings are corrected. This index also provides a comparable index for all previously unpublished poems in the Kimbrough/Beckerlegge volumes. This is the first comprehensive and reliable index to Wesley poetry, which will assist interpreters with the full range of John and Charles Wesley's verse.No one has done more than S T Kimbrough, Jr. to rescue the work of John and Charles Wesley from the hands of amateurs and 'Reverend Drones' (see p. 367). The present work is a herculean task and a labor of love: it provides a clear and accurate reference tool to those seeking to find a half-forgotten stanza or a mis-remembered line. It will be an indispensable first reference point for all serious inquirers into the hymns of the Wesley brothers, and for all scholars of their hymns.-- J. R. Watson, Author of The English Hymn: A Critical and Historical StudyThis index will have a special place in the work space of Wesley scholars for years to come. Kuddos to S T Kimbrough, Jr. for this labor of love: meticulous, comprehensive, and accessible. Indices are never really meant to shimmer, but this one is pure gold nonetheless--a must have for anyone interested in lyrical theology. --Paul W. Chilcote, Author of A Faith That Sings: Biblical Themes in the Lyrical Theology of Charles WesleyS T Kimbrough, Jr. is a Research Fellow of the Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition of Duke Divinity School. He is the founder of The Charles Wesley Society and has served as its president and editor of its journal, Proceedings of The Charles Wesley Society. As author/editor he has published many books on Charles Wesley, including: The Manuscript Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley, M.A. (2 vols.), The Unpublished Poetry of Charles Wesley (3 vols.), and The Lyrical Theology of Charles Wesley.