Life and Biography of Charles Wesley
Life Of Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley (1707–1788) was an English Methodist leader, preacher, hymnwriter, and theologian.
Charles, along with his brother John Wesley, was a key figure in the founding and early development of the Methodist movement within the Anglican Church.
The Wesley brothers, along with George Whitefield, were instrumental in the 18th-century evangelical revival in Britain.
He is best known for his prolific hymn writing, which has had a profound influence on Christian worship and hymnody.
He wrote thousands of hymns during his lifetime, addressing a wide range of theological themes and personal experiences.
Charles Wesley’s hymns are known for their rich theological content and emotional depth.
Some of his most famous hymns include “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.”
Christians of various denominations around the world continue to sing his hymns, which have become an integral part of Christian worship.
Charles Wesley’s Early Life
Charles Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.
His father, Samuel Wesley, was an Anglican cleric and a poet, and he was the rector of the town.
Charles was the eighteenth child in the Wesley family.
He had notable family connections. His older brother, John Wesley, would go on to become the founder of the Methodist movement.
He also had another older brother named Samuel Wesley the Younger, who was an Anglican cleric.
Later in life, Charles became a father himself, with his son Samuel Wesley following in his musical footsteps.
This musical legacy continued with Charles’ grandson, Samuel Sebastian Wesley.
Charles Wesley’s Education
Charles Wesley’s early education was overseen by his mother. However, when he was eight years old, in 1716, he enrolled at Westminster School.
This was the same school where his older brother Samuel had previously studied and worked as an usher.
Charles distinguished himself by becoming a King’s Scholar in 1721 and eventually head boy in 1725–26.
In June 1726, he continued his education at Christ Church, Oxford.
In 1730, Charles successfully completed his studies, earning a B.A. degree.
He continued his academic pursuits, and in 1732, he proudly earned a master’s degree in classical languages and literature.
Holy Club and Methodist
In 1726, when Charles was eighteen years old, he followed his brother John’s path and got into Christchurch College, Oxford.
John Wesley had been a student there five years before and had recently earned a fellowship at Lincoln College.
During his first year at college, Charles admitted that he got distracted by various activities.
However, in the following year, he made a conscious decision to focus on serious study.
He explained, “In my first year at college, I got caught up in distractions, but in the next, I dedicated myself to studying.”
While John was away from Oxford between August 1727 and November 1729, Charles, now in his third year, embraced a more disciplined and devout way of life.
His commitment to diligence led him to reflect deeply on spiritual matters.
Charles started gathering like-minded individuals who shared his newfound religious seriousness.
He attended the weekly sacrament and encouraged a few fellow students to join him.
Together, they followed the study rules set by the university. This marked the beginning of the “Holy Club” in 1729, a group that would soon be given the nickname “Methodists.”
The term “Methodist” signifies someone dedicated to orderly and methodical living.
Six months later, John left his position at Epworth and joined Charles at Oxford.
From that point onward, they diligently pursued their studies while also working to improve the physical and spiritual well-being of others.
This period, around the spring of 1729, is when the roots of what would later become known as Methodism began to take hold.
Charles Wesley played the initial role, while John would go on to provide guidance and shape this emerging movement.
Marital Life
In April of 1749, Charles Wesley married Sarah Gwynne, who was notably younger than him and also known affectionately as Sally.
In September 1749, they established their home at 4 Charles Street in Bristol.
Sarah, dedicated and supportive, often accompanied the Wesley brothers on their travels across Britain, a practice that continued at least until 1753.
In 1771, Charles acquired a new residence in London, and that same year, he and his older son moved into it.
By 1778, the entire family had relocated from Bristol to the London residence, situated at 1 Great Chesterfield Street (now Wheatley Street) in Marylebone.
This address remained their home until Charles’ passing and well into the 19th century.
Although the Bristol house still stands today and has been restored, the London residence was unfortunately demolished in the mid-19th century.
Only three of the couple’s children made it past infancy: Charles Wesley junior (1757–1834), Sarah Wesley (1759–1828), affectionately known as Sally, and Samuel Wesley (1766–1837).
Unfortunately, their other children, John, Martha Maria, Susannah, Selina, and John James, all passed away between 1753 and 1768.
You can find a memorial for them in the garden on the north side of the junction of Lewis Mead and The Haymarket in Bristol.
Both Samuel and Charles Junior displayed exceptional musical talent as children.
Much like their father, they grew up to be skilled organists and composers.
Charles Junior spent a significant portion of his career as the personal organist for the Royal Family.
Meanwhile, Samuel gained renown as one of the world’s most accomplished musicians, earning him the nickname “the English Mozart”.
Samuel Wesley’s own son, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, went on to become one of the leading British composers of the 19th century.
Charles Wesley as Hymist
Charles was a remarkably prolific hymnwriter. Throughout his lifetime, various collections (known as hymnals) of Wesley’s hymns were published.
These included works like “Hymns on God’s Everlasting Love” (1741, 1742), “Hymns on the Lord’s Supper” (1745), and “Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures” (1762), along with others commemorating the major festivals of the Christian calendar.
His hymns stand out for their robust doctrinal content, particularly their emphasis on the universality of God’s love according to Arminian theology.
Additionally, they are characterized by their abundant references to Scripture and literature, as well as the diverse metrical and stanza forms employed.
Scholars believe that his hymns wielded significant influence not only within Methodism but also in shaping Christian worship and modern theology as a whole.
According to Jason E. Vickers, Wesley’s pivotal ‘conversion experience’ in 1738 significantly influenced his beliefs, particularly those related to the power of the Holy Spirit.
This transformation became most evident in the hymns he penned after that significant year.
In his published work titled “Hymns and Prayers to the Trinity,” and specifically in Hymn number 62, Wesley expresses,
“The Holy Ghost in part we know,
For with us He resides,
Our whole of good to Him we owe,
Whom by His grace he guides,
He doth our virtuous thoughts inspire,
The evil he averts,
And every seed of good desire,
He planted in our hearts.”
Through these verses, Charles conveys several key teachings: the personal presence of the Holy Spirit within us, the Spirit’s role in sanctification, humanity’s inherent moral struggles, and the individual responsibility we hold before God.
Charles Wesley’s Hymnody
Charles Wesley, an eminent figure in Christian hymnody, is credited with composing thousands of hymns, many of which have become foundational pieces in Christian worship.
His hymns are characterized by their rich theological content, often delving into themes of grace, redemption, and the believer’s relationship with God.
Notable examples of his selected hymns include “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
These hymns have not only found a cherished place in Christian worship but have also influenced generations of believers with their powerful messages.
Throughout his illustrious career, Wesley penned the lyrics for a staggering 6,500 to 10,000 hymns, a significant number of which remain cherished to this day.
Charles Wesley Selected Hymns
About 150 of his hymns have earned a place in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Psalms, encompassing beloved compositions like “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.”
Furthermore, his masterpiece “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” finds its home in The Church Hymn Book, first published in New York and Chicago in 1872.
Wesley’s lyrical creations have transcended language barriers, finding translations in numerous tongues.
His hymns are the foundation of Methodist songs. They also influenced hymns globally, like in the Swedish Metodist Episkopal-Kyrkans Psalmbok from 1892.
In essence, among his distinguished hymns, we find:
- And Can It Be That I Should Gain?
- And let our bodies part.
- Angels speak, let man give ear.
- Arise, My Soul, Arise
- Be thou, O Rock of Ages, nigh.
- Blow Ye The Trumpet, Blow
- Brethren in Christ and well beloved.
- Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.
- Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies.
- Clap your hands, ye people all.
- Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- Come, Holy Spirit, raise our songs.
- Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown.
- Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.
- Depth of Mercy, Can it Be.
- Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee.
- Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise.
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
- Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
- Jesus, Lover of My Soul.
- Jesus, The Name High Over All.
- Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.
- O for a Heart to Praise My God.
- O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.
- O Thou Who Camest from Above.
- Rejoice, the Lord is King.
- Soldiers of Christ, Arise.
- Sun of Unclouded Righteousness.
- Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose.
- Ye Servants of God.
Psalm Paraphrasing Legacy
Charles Wesley’s hymns hold a distinctive place as interpretations of Scripture.
Not only did he create hymns, but he also provided paraphrases of the Psalms, adding to the rich history of English metrical Psalmody.
A unique aspect of his Psalms is his incorporation of Jesus into them. This follows a long-standing tradition of interpreting the Psalms in a Christ-centered manner, a practice observed in the works of John Patrick and Isaac Watts.
However, introducing Jesus into the Psalms sometimes stirred debate, even within Wesley’s own family.
Samuel Wesley, Charles’ brother, penned a poem expressing his disagreement with this approach.
Of special significance is Wesley’s handwritten collection of Psalms, which is preserved in the archives of the Pitts Theology Library at Emory University.
Charles Wesley as a Poet
In addition to hymns, Charles’ poetic output encompassed various forms, including epistles, elegies, and pieces with political and satirical themes.
George Osborn meticulously edited and published a comprehensive compilation of The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley in thirteen volumes from 1868 to 1872.
The addition of three volumes containing The Unpublished Poetry of Charles has further enriched Osborn’s compilation.
Latter Life
Charles Wesley passed away in London on March 29, 1788, at the age of 80. They laid him to rest in the churchyard of Marylebone.
In his final moments, he summoned the Rector of St. Marylebone Parish Church, John Harley, and reportedly conveyed, “Sir, whatever the world may say of me, I have lived, and I die, a member of the Church of England. I pray you to bury me in your churchyard.”
This decision deeply saddened his brother John, as Charles chose not to be laid to rest in the burial ground of the City Road Chapel, where he had already prepared a grave for himself.
Six clergymen from the Church of England carried his body to the church.
Also, a memorial stone in his honor now stands in the gardens along Marylebone High Street, near his final resting place.
Charles left behind a large family, of which four members survived him.
Among them were three sons, all of whom would go on to achieve prominence in the world of music.
One of his sons, Samuel, even became the church’s organist.
Additionally, a daughter he left behind inherited some of her father’s poetic talent.
Following Charles’s passing, John Wesley extended great kindness and generosity to his widow and children.
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