Remembering Dad

Today I have been thinking of my Dad, Rev. Weldon Bull. He would have turned 89 today. I credit his (and my mom's) love for and knowledge of hymns with building that love in me. Not too long ago Brenda Martin and I traded CD's. One of the hymns she arranged and plays on "And Can It Be: Hymns and Songs of Faith" is one that was a favourite of Dad's, Arise, My Soul, Arise. As I have not sung it for several years, I had sort of forgotten about it until I heard it again on Brenda's CD. Dad seemed to particularly love the hymns of Charles Wesley. Here are the words.

Arise, my soul, arise; Shake off thy guilty fears.
The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears.
Before the throne my Surety stands;
Before the throne my Surety stands;
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above for me to intercede;
His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead.
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers, They strongly plead for me.
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry;
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry;
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die."

The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One;
He cannot turn away the presence of His Son.
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pard'ning voice I hear.
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear.
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And, "Father, Abba Father," cry.

Words: Charles Wesley
Tune: LENOX 666688 by Lewis Edson