Do you know of John Wesley? Other than the fact that he was one of the founders of the Methodist movement and that he was born in the early 1700's, I don't know much. He was one of nineteen children, and his mother Susanna Wesley was known to cover her head with her apron when she wanted to be left alone in conversation with God. Amazingly, all of her children knew not to approach her while she was in such a position.

So, why bring up a man that was born over three hundred years ago?

In my current work-in-progress, a western, my heroine is asked to sing a hymn. The thought of having everyone's attention on her makes her want to be sick. The fact that the congregation didn't like her much made things that much worse. But when a to-die-for blue eyed, curly haired, blond man standing near 6'5 enters through the snow white doors, a man that she had shot at and had bound to a baggage car only days before, all she can say is "Sweet Jesus".

To save face, she belts out a tune written by John Wesley.

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 Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;

Click on Jesus, lover of my soul, if you'd like to read the rest of the lyrics. Wesley, published the song in 1740, he would have been in his thirties.

Since my manuscript is written around 1868, I had to find a song that would have been published before then. And since Mr. Wesley lived in England as did a lot of hymnal writers I had to make sure that this song was feasible for my heroine to know and sing. The lyrics fit rather well for the turmoil my heroine is feeling at that very moment, as if the entire world is out to get her. The thing is all she can think about is the curly blond, giant of a man that she owes a huge apology to. The only thing is, she's never apologized for anything she's done, and she's not sure how to go about doing so.

In case you're wondering, I do not intend on making this an inspirational. My heroine is far from the side of purity to be considered anything but ruined.