(Charles Wesley, perhaps best known for his hymns, "Hark! ...)
Charles Wesley, perhaps best known for his hymns, "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul," was the younger brother of John Wesley and the co-founder and poet-laureate of Methodism. Although he was an important figure in the history of Protestantism, Wesley's personal life was shrouded by a cloak of silence and much of his work went unpublished. In this illuminating reader, John Tyson has collected hymns, sermons, letters, and journal material--many rare and hitherto unknown--to chronicle the life and works of Wesley in his own words. Tyson provides an extensive biographical-theological introduction, and supplements Wesley's collected works with interpretative and introductory notes, creating a definitive account of Wesley's character and contribution to the Methodist heritage.
John and Charles Wesley: Selected Prayers, Hymns, Journal Notes, Sermons, Letters and Treatises (Classics of Western Spirituality)
(The most in-depth and scholarly panorama of Western spiri...)
The most in-depth and scholarly panorama of Western spirituality ever attempted!
In one series, the original writings of the universally acknowledged teachers of the Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic and Native American traditions have been critically selected, translated and introduced by internationally recognized scholars and spiritual leaders.
The texts are first-rate, and the introductions are informative and reliable. The books will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of every literate religious persons". -- The Christian Century
Wesley's Hymns and the Methodist Sunday-School Hymn-Book (Classic Reprint)
(For many years I have been importuned to publish such a h...)
For many years I have been importuned to publish such a hymn-book as might be generally used in all our congregations throughout Great Britain and I reland. I have hitherto withstood the importunity, as I believed such a publication was needless, considering the various hymn-books which my brother and I have published within these forty years last past; so that it may be doubted whether any religious community in the world has a greater variety of them. 2. But it has been answered, Such a publication is highly needful upon this very account: for the greater part of the people, being poor, are not able to purchase so many books ;and those that have purchased them are, as it were, bewildered in the immense variety. A proper Collection of Hymns for general use, carefully made out of all these books, is therefore still wanting; and one comprised in so moderate a compass, as to be neither cumbersome nor expensive. 3. It has been replied, You have such aC ollection already, (entitled Hymns andS piritual Songs )which I extracted several years ago from a variety of hymn-books. But it is objected, This is in the other extreme: it is far too small. It does not, it cannot, in so narrow a compass, contain variety enough ;not so much as we want, among whom, singing make3 so considerable a part of the public service. AY hat we want is, aC ollection not too large, that it may be cheap and portable; nor too small, that it may contain a sufficient variety for all ordinary occasions. 4. Such aH ymn-B ook you have now before you. It is not so large as to he either cumbersome or expensive; and it is large enough to contain such a variety of hymns as will not soon be worn threadbare. It is large enough to contain all the important truths of our most holy religion, whether speculative or practical; yea, to illustrate them all, and to prove them both byS cripture and reason; and t
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)
Charles Wesley was an English hymn writer and preacher. He composed thousands of hymns to express its religious ideals.
Background
Charles Wesley was born on December 18, 1707, the eighteenth child of the rector of the Anglican church in Epworth, Lincolnshire. All 19 Wesley children received individual weekly instructions in religious matters from their mother, who gave them some of her own independent spirit.
Education
Although Charles was bright, he wasted much of his energy looking for good times when he began his studies at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1726. In 1729, after he had settled down, Charles, his older brother John, and several other Oxford students formed the Holy Club, for the purpose of studying the Bible and receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The group soon became known as the "Methodists" because of the regularity of their religious activities. By the time Wesley received his master's degree in 1733, he had proved himself an excellent scholar and a master of Latin.
Career
In 1735 he was ordained a priest in the Church of England. With his brother John he left England for the New World. He became secretary to Col. James Oglethorpe, governor of the colony of Georgia. But he had a hard time adapting to Georgia's climate and had to return to England the next year. In the spring of 1738 Wesley experienced a profound religious awakening. He became vividly convinced of the power of the New Testament message of salvation and saw more clearly than ever before how faith in Jesus Christ could change one's life. For the next 50 years Wesley brought this message to as many people as he could, particularly to the poor and uneducated workers in London's slums. After Wesley married in 1749, he lived for a while in Bristol, where opposition to his ideals was less severe, but 12 years later he resumed his preaching in London. Wesley was a master of the English language. Over the years of his ministry he wrote some 6, 500 hymns to spread the New Testament message as he understood it. He died in London on March 29, 1788.
(For many years I have been importuned to publish such a h...)
Views
Along with his brother and their "Methodist" friends from Oxford, Wesley preached that the value of one's life is to be measured by his faith and decent sober conduct, rather than by his church attendance. Many Anglican officials were displeased by the Methodists' approach. Less devout people often ridiculed their fervent preaching.
Quotations:
"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done. "
"The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. However, it was not written by good men, because good men would not tell lies by saying 'Thus saith the Lord; ' it was not written by bad men because they would not write about doing good duty, while condemning sin, and themselves to hell; thus, it must be written by divine inspiration. "
"Jesu, 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 Saviour, hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last. "
"He left His Father's throne above, (So free, so infinite His grace!) Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race. "
"Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, enter every trembling heart. "
"Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art, dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. "
"I feel a strong immortal hope, which bears my mournful spirit up beneath its mountain load; redeemed from death, and grief, and pain, I soon shall find my [child] again within the arms of God. "
"How few young men realize that their success in life depends more upon what they are than upon what they know. It is self-esteem that has brought the race this far. "
"Christ, by highest heaven adored. Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as Man with man to dwell; Jesus, our Immanuel!"
"Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end. By His life He brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend. Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall. This, the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all. "
Connections
In 1749, he married Sarah Gwynne, daughter of a Welsh gentleman who had been converted to Methodism by Howell Harris. They had 7 children.