*pic from wikipedia's entry on C.W.
POEM #29 - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

A rather bizarre train of thought has been flitting around my brain since starting this series. It is my theory that the Church, in its use of hymns (both ancient and modern), is probably the largest audience that poetry has. Every Sunday, we stand, we sit, we kneel, we mingle to strains of music, beautiful verse. Whether the church is chanting liturgy or banging on the drums up front (most of my readers know where I fall here ;o), poetry is still a huge part of our corporate worship experience. So with that in mind, here's a classic Charles Wesley hymn- one my dad associates with the early days at Hobe Sound:

A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
to do my Master's will!

Arm me with jealous care,
as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,
prepare a strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.