Dufferin Chronicles

Jesus Lover of My Soul

This well-known and much beloved hymn was written by Charles Wesley 1707-1788. Charles was the younger brother of John Wesley who was himself the fifteenth child in the family of nineteen of his father, Rev. Charles Wesley.

John and Charles Junior were amongst the founders of “The People called Methodists” and later renamed the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the nucleus having been formed by Charles and a little society of earnest students at Christ Church, Oxford. Charles, described as an English Poet, was educated at Westminster School, and Christ Church. He later became Secretary to James Edward Oglethorpe who founded Georgia in 1733, and spent part of his life in the colony. Soon after is return to England, Charles began to preach and it was during this part of his career he visited Killyleagh.

The Presbyterian Minister in Killyleagh was Rev. Dr Joseph Little and it is said he did not fully agree with the Wesleyan Cult and it was he who was responsible for having Charles hounded out of the town. The following extract has been given to this Historical Branch and we publish it hoping that the hymn referred to was written in the Dufferin area. It should be noted, however, that there are other theories about it’s origin.

“The following was copied from a letter to Mr James Boyd, Killyleagh from Mr Wm Gilmore, Evangelist, Bangor.

“Mrs Mary Hoover of Bellafont, USA whose grandmother was the heroine of the story, has related to her Pastor the family tradition. Mr Charles Wesley was preaching in the fields in the parish of Killyleagh, Co Down. N.I., when he was attacked by men who did not approve of his doctrine as he tried to get to Killinchy by the then Shore Road. He sought refuge in what is known “Islandbawn farm” Ringhaddy. The farmer’s wife Mrs Jane Lowry Moore hid him in the milk house at the bottom of the garden. Soon the mob came and demanded the fugitive. She tried to quiet them down by offering some refreshment, going to the milk house for milk. She directed Mr Wesley to leave by the rear window and hide under some bushes near which ran a little stream. In that hiding place, with the noise of his pursuers all about him he thought out the words of this immortal hymn. Descendants of the Moore family still live in the farm which is much the same as in Wesley’s time.

“I heard Mr Sankey the great American singer tell that story in the old Grosvenor Hall, Belfast, during the meetings of Moody and Sankey. He visited the farm, journeying by side car. He said he was satisfied this was a true account of the writing of the hymn ‘Jesus Lover of my Soul’. (C.R.A. 1870, 1880)”.

Quoting from the Church Hymnary 1925, Hymn No.193, we publish verse 1.

Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high;

Hide me, O my Saviour hide, till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last.

Our branch records show that a John Moore farmed in Islandbane in 1863 where his holding extended to 41 acres and 16 perches in that townland. He also had lease of 1 acre and 20 perches in Rathgorman and 39 acres 3 roods and 36 perches in Tullymore, the total of which amounted to a farming project of considerable dimension. On 21 Novembr 1824, a son, Charles, was born to James Moore of Islandbane, Killilnchy. James the father was likely to have been a grandson of the lady who so kindly protected Charles Wesley.

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