This post was inspired by a talk given by James Mollitt at a recent pastors' fraternal in Bolton. It is also based on the book "Assist me to proclaim" by John Tyson.
Charles Wesley was an Anglican Christian pastor who lived in the 1700s. He is best known as a hymn-writer, and as the brother of John Wesley. Both brothers were leading figures in what is known as the Methodist Revival, a revival of Protestant faith in Britain which began around the time of Charles' and John's conversion in 1738.
Charles was born in 1707, the son of Christian parents, Samuel and Susannah Wesley, who had become High Church Anglicans from a non-Anglican background. Samuel Wesley was the Christian minister of the parish of Epworth. It was a large family and they lived in the rectory (pastor's residence). One day the rectory caught fire and all the children had to be rescued.
Having studied well at school, Charles won a scholarship (paid place) at Oxford University. At university Charles was, in his own words, "lost in distractions", including a romantic relationship with an actress. However, he later became more serious and, along with his brother, John, was part of the Holy Club, a circle of religiously-minded men at the university, which practised fasting and other spiritual exercises.
Charles followed John in being ordained in the Church of England, and together they sailed to the new English colony of Georgia in America, intending to serve as missionaries to the colonists and local population. However, the endeavour was unsuccessful and short-lasting, and they returned to London in 1736. During their trip, they had become acquainted with Moravian Christians, evangelical Christians from Germany with links to the Lutheran Pietists. Moravian Christians had a warm faith in Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and in the face of dangerous conditions at sea had calmly sung Christian hymns, while the Anglican clergymen were full of fear and panic. Charles concluded that he himself, the son of Christian parents, and an ordained clergyman, "was not myself converted to God."
On the brothers' return to London they made contact with London-based Moravians, in particular Peter Böhler, and, for a time Charles, stayed with the Moravians, who cared for him during an illness. Charles and John were also influenced by the writings of Henry Scougal, who espoused an internal heart-faith, and Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians. Charles experienced conversion, entering "into the blessings of salvation" in May 1738, a few days before his brother John. On his conversion he composed the hymn, "How shall my wandering soul..." A year later, on the anniversary of his conversion, he composed, "O for a thousand tongues to sing..."
Having experienced evangelical conversion, Charles, already ordained as a clergyman in the Church of England, was appointed curate (trainee pastor) at St Mary's Church in Islington, however was opposed for his evangelical views. While a local Moravian-style religious society advocated breaking away from the Church of England, Charles was involved in setting up a preaching house, the Foundery, while remaining, as he did throughout his life, a loyal member of the Church of England. As he travelled to different places, and Anglican pulpits were closed to him, he, at first reluctantly, began preaching in the open-air, following the example of George Whitefield.
The Methodist movement grew as large numbers of people were converted, and were organised in societies (parachurch Christian fellowships). London, Bristol and Newcastle were three centres of the Wesleys' work. Charles travelled around the country on horseback, composing hymns along the way. The Methodist movement weathered several controversies including the Stillness Controversy, which led to separation from the Moravians, and the Calvinist controversy, which led to division from George Whitefield. Charles was strongly convinced of the Arminian position, which taught that Christ's atonement makes salvation available for all, and God's prevenient grace gives each person the freedom to believe, if they so choose. Another controversy in Methodism was over Christian Perfection, a teaching Charles initially embraced but later distanced himself from, which taught that total sanctification is attainable in this life.
To his brother's disappointment, Charles' marriage to Sally in 1749 led to him being more settled at home in Bristol, and travelling less. John's marriage to Molly in 1751 was not a good match (they were later separated), and damaged the relationship between Charles and John.
Charles, more than his brother John, was committed to remaining in the Church of England. In 1763, Charles relocated to London, where he became the pastor of the London societies. Here again, as one of the "Church Methodists", he advocated for the leading role to be played by ordained Anglican ministers. Nearing the end of his life in 1788 Charles was concerned about a possible break with the Church of England.
Shortly before he died in 1788, Charles dictated these words to his wife Sally, expressing his deep faith and hope to the end: "In age and feebleness extreme, who shall a helpless worm redeem? Jesus, my only hope Thou art, Strength of my failing flesh and heart; O could I catch a smile from Thee, And drop into eternity."
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