This day may God inspire us To sing John Wesley's story: To celebrate His Aldersgate: With him give God the glory. What searching of his spirit, What strenuous preparation, Before he found The solid ground, Of faith, and his vocation. From Epworth's godly childhood To Oxford's godless living, He brought a zest For holiness, And practical self-giving. But if we seek perfection By disciplined behaviour, How small a place Is left for grace: What need of any Saviour? Then voyaging to Georgia, Concerned about his mission, He met by chance, Or Providence, Moravians with a vision. They proved to him from Scripture What he, at first, rejected: Through faith alone Is victory won; And love is faith perfected. Returning from Savannah, And guided by the Spirit, He sought out those, Who preached Good News, Unwilling still to hear it. Three times, to Wren's cathedral, He brought his indecision; In every word, They sang or said, God spoke to his condition. His Aldersgate experience Assured him of salvation; It set him free In Christ to be Apostle to our nation. Unmoved by opposition, Intent that none should perish, Through fire and flood, For love of God, He made the world his parish. Met here, to do him honour, We own the name he won us. Our faith restored We bless the Lord, And feel his hand upon us. Shall we, in times as urgent, Rest easy with survival? Bring us, though late, To Aldersgate, Renewed, Lord, for revival!