In today’s Music Notes, I felt compelled to write about S.S. Wesley, son of Samuel Wesley, the composer and organist, grandson of Charles Wesley, the hymn writer and theologian, and great nephew of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. I especially love Samuel Sebastian’s hymn tunes, notably “Aurelia,” the music for the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation.” Today’s offertory is an exceptional example of his work and is excerpted from a larger piece entitled Ascribe To the Lord.

In my research, it seems that he was a superb organist, like his father. He was also described as being agreeable, kind, and sympathetic. They called him S.S. to avoid confusion with his father, Samuel Wesley. Sebastian was added to his name because of his father’s deep affinity for Johann Sebastian Bach. Apparently, organists who heard Samuel Sebastian play were often enamored. As Herbert Oakley writes, “those who heard him play changed their style for the better, some of them catching a ray of the afflatus divinus.” This is a fancy way of saying “inspired by divinity.” I too am drawn to his music and would agree it is inspired, but I’m not sure I could tell you exactly why.

I could tell you that this anthem soars. It’s fun to sing, exhilarating to conduct, and satisfying to play. I know the choir likes it. But why we like it – I can’t quite put my finger on it. Likewise, if I disliked it, I still couldn’t quite put my finger on it. So, is there anything not inspired by divinity? 1^st Chronicles states, “All things come of thee O Lord.” The implication of that passage is stunning. All things?

I like afflatus divinus as a term. I’m not particularly fond of the music of Rossini, so does that mean it doesn’t have the same je ne sais quoi? I know people who couldn’t care less about J.S. Bach, calling dusty and dull. Who am I to say what is divinely inspired. If it’s not everything, then what is it?

It puzzles me when we use flowery language to point out differences between what’s divine and what’s not. I was inspired by the pipe organ. Nowadays, some people throw pipe organs away. I know of a large Methodist church in North Carolina that is tossing their pipe organ into the dumpster this year. Is that congregation mad? Or is madness also afflatus divinus, playing some sort of advocate for the “other team?”

When it comes right down to it, we can’t quite put our finger on it. That’s because life is a mystery. Even the word mystery tries to put a finger on it. When we use a term, no matter how highfalutin it is, we are indeed trying to put our finger on it. And when we put our finger on it, we must admit that praise and criticism nestle in the same, unexplainable duality.  

Life and its wonders keep us guessing. I agree with the assessment that S.S. Wesley had a special touch. To explain it, maybe it’s just too intimate. Maybe it’s indivisible yet highly individual. Maybe it all makes sense, even in what seems senseless. Still, I can’t quite put my finger on it; however, I do know I like this music, and I am touched by it. Maybe that’s all that matters. But then I think, does it really? I still can’t quite put my finger on it. To try to explain why this music touches me seems untouchable to me. Soli Deo Gloria!