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Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley (1707–1788). Born on December 18, 1707, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, to Samuel, an Anglican rector, and Susanna Wesley, Charles Wesley was a Methodist preacher, hymn-writer, and co-founder of the Methodist movement. The 18th of 19 children, he survived premature birth and was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1730, MA 1733), where he led the Holy Club with brother John, emphasizing disciplined piety. Ordained an Anglican priest in 1735, Charles sailed to Georgia as secretary to Governor James Oglethorpe, but illness and conflicts led to his return in 1736. Converted on May 21, 1738, during a Moravian meeting in London, he embraced justification by faith, sparking fervent open-air preaching with John, reaching thousands despite mob attacks. Charles’s sermons, often extempore, stressed salvation and holiness, but his 7,000 hymns, including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” became his enduring legacy, shaping Methodist worship. He authored Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739) and Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (1745), with over 30 collections. After 1756, he focused on hymn-writing and ministry in Bristol and London, opposing separation from the Church of England. Married to Sarah Gwynne in 1749, he had eight children, three surviving—Charles Jr., Sarah, and Samuel. Charles died on March 29, 1788, in London, saying, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness.”
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In his sermon, Charles Wesley emphasizes the joy and triumph of Christ's resurrection, calling on both men and angels to celebrate this victory. He highlights the reconciliation between God and sinners, the power of faith, and the enduring strength of the Gospel Church. Wesley encourages believers to maintain a fervent prayer life and to do good in every possible way, while also reflecting on the sweetness of Jesus' love. He reminds us that true Christian character is demonstrated through meekness and patience in the face of adversity.
Charles Wesley Quotes
Christ the Lord is risen today, Sons of men and angels say. Raise your joys and triumphs high; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply. Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born king." Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done. God buries His workmen but carries on His work God is gone up on high with a triumphant noise. A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify: A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness-satisfied, satisfied. See the Gospel Church secure, And founded on a Rock! All her promises are sure; Her bulwarks who can shock? Count her every precious shrine; Tell, to after-ages tell, Fortified by power divine, The Church can never fail. Keep us little and unknown, prized and loved by God alone. Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn. To God your every Want In instant Prayer display, Pray always; Pray, and never faint; Pray, without ceasing, Pray. In Fellowship; alone To God, with Faith, draw near, Approach His Courts, besiege His Throne With all the power of Prayer. Keep from me Thy loveliest creature, till I prove Jesus' love infinitely sweeter. Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence, is the sum of a Christian man.
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Charles Wesley (1707–1788). Born on December 18, 1707, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, to Samuel, an Anglican rector, and Susanna Wesley, Charles Wesley was a Methodist preacher, hymn-writer, and co-founder of the Methodist movement. The 18th of 19 children, he survived premature birth and was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford (BA 1730, MA 1733), where he led the Holy Club with brother John, emphasizing disciplined piety. Ordained an Anglican priest in 1735, Charles sailed to Georgia as secretary to Governor James Oglethorpe, but illness and conflicts led to his return in 1736. Converted on May 21, 1738, during a Moravian meeting in London, he embraced justification by faith, sparking fervent open-air preaching with John, reaching thousands despite mob attacks. Charles’s sermons, often extempore, stressed salvation and holiness, but his 7,000 hymns, including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” became his enduring legacy, shaping Methodist worship. He authored Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739) and Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (1745), with over 30 collections. After 1756, he focused on hymn-writing and ministry in Bristol and London, opposing separation from the Church of England. Married to Sarah Gwynne in 1749, he had eight children, three surviving—Charles Jr., Sarah, and Samuel. Charles died on March 29, 1788, in London, saying, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness.”