Charles Wesley His Life and Hymns. England King Henry the VIII

Charles WesleyCharles Wesley

His Life and HymnsHis Life and Hymns

EnglandEngland

King Henry the VIIIKing Henry the VIII

Samuel and Susanna Samuel and Susanna WesleyWesley

Parish in EpworthParish in Epworth

Wesley’s Family HomeWesley’s Family Home

Painting of the Rectory Painting of the Rectory FireFire

Tis' not learning these things by Tis' not learning these things by rote,…that will bring you to rote,…that will bring you to

heaven; you must heaven; you must understandunderstand what what you say, and you must you say, and you must practice practice

what you knowwhat you know. .

- Susanna Wesley- Susanna Wesley

(Best, 19; emphasis added)(Best, 19; emphasis added)

Christ Church, Oxford Christ Church, Oxford (2004)(2004)

……where learning keeps its loftiest where learning keeps its loftiest seat, and hell its firmest throne. seat, and hell its firmest throne.

- Charles Wesley- Charles Wesley

(Best, p.35)(Best, p.35)

……imitate Christ by feeding the imitate Christ by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, hungry, clothing the naked,

teaching young children, visiting teaching young children, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and the sick and imprisoned, and 'making all these actions 'making all these actions

subservient to a higher purpose, subservient to a higher purpose, even the saving of souls from even the saving of souls from

death.'death.'

(Best, 39)(Best, 39)

Have I seized the opportunity Have I seized the opportunity todaytoday to do to do good to my neighbour?good to my neighbour?

Have I witnessed to the work of Christ's Have I witnessed to the work of Christ's salvation salvation todaytoday??

Am I conveying, by the way I am living Am I conveying, by the way I am living todaytoday, that religion is a positive thing , that religion is a positive thing and not a negative thing?and not a negative thing?

George WhitefieldGeorge Whitefield

For about 12 months my soul longed For about 12 months my soul longed to be acquainted with some of to be acquainted with some of

them, and I was strongly pressed them, and I was strongly pressed to follow their good example, when to follow their good example, when I saw them go through a ridiculing I saw them go through a ridiculing

crowd to receive the Holy crowd to receive the Holy Eucharist at St. Mary's. Eucharist at St. Mary's.

- George Whitefield- George Whitefield


[He] was a man made for [He] was a man made for friendship; who, by his friendship; who, by his

cheerfulness and vivacity, would cheerfulness and vivacity, would refresh his friend's heart; with refresh his friend's heart; with attentive consideration, would attentive consideration, would enter into and settle all his enter into and settle all his

concerns; so far as he was able, concerns; so far as he was able, would do anything for him, great would do anything for him, great or small; and, by a habit of or small; and, by a habit of openness and freedom, leave no openness and freedom, leave no room for misunderstanding.room for misunderstanding.

- College friend of Charles- College friend of Charles


John WesleyJohn Wesley

Jack knew his strength and used Jack knew his strength and used it…I freely own 'twas the will of it…I freely own 'twas the will of Jack, but am not yet convinced it Jack, but am not yet convinced it

'twas the will of God.'twas the will of God.



Colony of GeorgiaColony of Georgia

A godly formal saint, A godly formal saint, I long appeared in sight; I long appeared in sight; By self and Satan taught to paintBy self and Satan taught to paintMy tomb, my nature, white. My tomb, my nature, white. The Pharisee withinThe Pharisee withinStill undisturbed remained;Still undisturbed remained;The strong man, The strong man, armed with guilt of sin, armed with guilt of sin, Safe in his palace reigned.Safe in his palace reigned.


Sudden expired the legal strife; Sudden expired the legal strife;

'Twas then I ceased to grieve;'Twas then I ceased to grieve;

My second, real, living lifeMy second, real, living life

I then began to live…I then began to live…

I felt my Lord's atoning bloodI felt my Lord's atoning blood

Close to my soul applied;Close to my soul applied;

Me, me He loved – the Son of GodMe, me He loved – the Son of God

For me, for me, He died!...For me, for me, He died!...


Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise, My great Redeemer's praise,

The glories of my God and King, The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of his grace.The triumphs of his grace.


Sudden expired the legal strife; Sudden expired the legal strife;

'Twas then I ceased to grieve;'Twas then I ceased to grieve;

My second, real, living lifeMy second, real, living life

I then began to live…I then began to live…

I felt my Lord's atoning bloodI felt my Lord's atoning blood

Close to my soul applied;Close to my soul applied;

Me, me He loved – the Son of GodMe, me He loved – the Son of God

For me, for me, He died!...For me, for me, He died!...

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise, My great Redeemer's praise,

The glories of my God and King, The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of his grace.The triumphs of his grace.


And Can it BeAnd Can it BeLong my imprisoned spirit lay Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature's night; fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread, No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, and all in him, is mine! Jesus, and all in him, is mine! Alive in him, my living Head, Alive in him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my And claim the crown, through Christ my own.own.

Where Shall My Wandering Heart BeginWhere Shall My Wandering Heart Begin

Outcasts of men, to you I call, Outcasts of men, to you I call, Harlots, and publicans and thieves! Harlots, and publicans and thieves! He spreads his arms to embrace you all; He spreads his arms to embrace you all; Sinners alone his grace receives; Sinners alone his grace receives; No need of him the righteous have; No need of him the righteous have; He came the lost to seek and save.He came the lost to seek and save.

Come, O my guilty brethren, come, Come, O my guilty brethren, come, Groaning beneath your load of sin, Groaning beneath your load of sin, His bleeding heart shall make you room, His bleeding heart shall make you room, His open side shall take you in; His open side shall take you in; He calls you now, invites you home; He calls you now, invites you home; Come, O my guilty brethren, come!Come, O my guilty brethren, come!

For you the purple current flowed For you the purple current flowed In pardons from his wounded side, In pardons from his wounded side, Languished for you the eternal God, Languished for you the eternal God, For you the Prince of glory died: For you the Prince of glory died: Believe, and all your sin's forgiven; Believe, and all your sin's forgiven; Only believe, and yours is heaven!Only believe, and yours is heaven!

Features of early Features of early Methodist WorshipMethodist Worship

frequently taking communionfrequently taking communion fervent preaching for salvationfervent preaching for salvation vigorous hymn singing (then a vigorous hymn singing (then a novelty)novelty)

small groupssmall groups mixture of fixed and mixture of fixed and extemporaneous prayersextemporaneous prayers

I design plain truth for plain I design plain truth for plain people. Therefore…I abstain from people. Therefore…I abstain from

all nice and philosophical all nice and philosophical speculations, from all perplexed and speculations, from all perplexed and intricate reasoning, and as far as intricate reasoning, and as far as possible, from even the show of possible, from even the show of

learning, unless in sometimes citing learning, unless in sometimes citing the original Scriptures. I labour the original Scriptures. I labour to avoid all words which are not to avoid all words which are not

easily understood...and in easily understood...and in particular those kinds of technical particular those kinds of technical terms that so frequently occur in terms that so frequently occur in bodies of divinity…but which to bodies of divinity…but which to

common people are an unknown tongue.common people are an unknown tongue.


(Best, 123)(Best, 123)

What is this but an outrage upon common What is this but an outrage upon common decency and common sense? The height of decency and common sense? The height of

presumption, confidence and self-presumption, confidence and self-sufficiency…sufficiency…

[This] outward show of piety…is one [This] outward show of piety…is one undoubted sign of spiritual pride…undoubted sign of spiritual pride…

To pray, preach, and sing psalms in the To pray, preach, and sing psalms in the streets and fields is worse, if streets and fields is worse, if

possible, than intruding into pulpits by possible, than intruding into pulpits by downright violence and breach of the downright violence and breach of the

peace…peace…

[Religion is made] ridiculous and [Religion is made] ridiculous and contemptible…Go not after these contemptible…Go not after these

imposters and seducers; but shun them as imposters and seducers; but shun them as you would the plague. you would the plague.

- Joseph Trapp- Joseph Trapp

(Best, 114)(Best, 114)

I found near ten thousand helpless I found near ten thousand helpless sinners waiting for the word at sinners waiting for the word at Moorfields. I invited them in my Moorfields. I invited them in my Master's words, as well as name, Master's words, as well as name,

'Come unto me, all ye that 'Come unto me, all ye that travail, and are heavy laden, and travail, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'. The Lord I will give you rest'. The Lord was with me, even me, his meanest was with me, even me, his meanest

messenger, according to his messenger, according to his promise…My load was gone, and all promise…My load was gone, and all my doubts and scruples. God shone my doubts and scruples. God shone upon my path, and I knew THIS was upon my path, and I knew THIS was

his will concerning me. his will concerning me.


(Best, 117)(Best, 117)

The Captain ran at me with great The Captain ran at me with great fury…[and] drew his sword, and fury…[and] drew his sword, and presented it to my breast. My presented it to my breast. My

breast was immediately steeled. I breast was immediately steeled. I threw it open, and, fixing mine threw it open, and, fixing mine eye on his, smiled in his eye on his, smiled in his

face, and calmly said, face, and calmly said,

"I fear God and honour the King." "I fear God and honour the King."


(Best, 172)(Best, 172)

From From Hymns for Times of Hymns for Times of Trouble and PersecutionTrouble and Persecution

Smitten, we turn the Smitten, we turn the other cheek, other cheek,

Our ease, and name, Our ease, and name, and goods forego, and goods forego,

Help, or redress, no Help, or redress, no longer seeklonger seek

In any child of man In any child of man below… below…

Come on, my partners in Come on, my partners in distress, distress,

My comrades through the My comrades through the wilderness, wilderness,

Who still your bodies Who still your bodies feel; feel;

Awhile forget your Awhile forget your griefs and fears, griefs and fears,

And look beyond this And look beyond this vale of tears, vale of tears,

To that celestial hill.To that celestial hill.

The whole country finds the benefit The whole country finds the benefit of the Gospel. Hundreds who follow of the Gospel. Hundreds who follow not with us, have broke off their not with us, have broke off their sins, and are outwardly reformed…sins, and are outwardly reformed…

Neither persuasions nor Neither persuasions nor threatening, flattery nor violence, threatening, flattery nor violence, dungeons, or sufferings of various dungeons, or sufferings of various

kinds, can conquer them. Many kinds, can conquer them. Many waters cannot quench this little waters cannot quench this little spark which the Lord hath kindled, spark which the Lord hath kindled,

neither shall the floods of neither shall the floods of persecution drown it. persecution drown it.


(Best, 188)(Best, 188)

From From Hymns on the Hymns on the Lord's SupperLord's Supper

Come Holy Ghost, Come Holy Ghost, Thine influence shed,Thine influence shed,And realize the sign;And realize the sign;Thy life infuse into the bread, Thy life infuse into the bread, Thy power into the wine. Thy power into the wine. Effectual let the tokens prove,Effectual let the tokens prove,And made, by heavenly art, And made, by heavenly art, Fit channels to convey Thy love, Fit channels to convey Thy love, To every faithful heart. To every faithful heart.

Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, Let us Thine influence prove, Let us Thine influence prove, Source of the old prophetic fire, Source of the old prophetic fire, Fountain of light and love.Fountain of light and love.

Come, Holy Ghost, (for moved by thee Come, Holy Ghost, (for moved by thee the prophets wrote and spoke) the prophets wrote and spoke) Unlock the truth, thyself the key, Unlock the truth, thyself the key, Unseal the sacred book.Unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial Dove, Expand thy wings, celestial Dove, Brood o'er our nature's night; Brood o'er our nature's night; On our disordered spirits move, On our disordered spirits move, And let there now be light.And let there now be light.

God, through himself, we then shall know, God, through himself, we then shall know, If thou within us shine, If thou within us shine, And sound, with all thy saints below, And sound, with all thy saints below, The depths of love divine.The depths of love divine.

O for a heart to praise O for a heart to praise my God, my God,

A heart from sin set A heart from sin set free! free!

A heart that always feels A heart that always feels thy blood So freely spilt thy blood So freely spilt for me!for me!

O Love divine, how sweet thou art! When shall I find my O Love divine, how sweet thou art! When shall I find my willing heart all taken up by thee? I willing heart all taken up by thee? I thirst, I thirst, I faint, I die to prove the greatness of redeeming love, faint, I die to prove the greatness of redeeming love,

the love of Christ to me!the love of Christ to me!

God only knows the love of God; O that it now were shed God only knows the love of God; O that it now were shed abroad In this poor stony heart! For love I sigh, for abroad In this poor stony heart! For love I sigh, for love I pine: This only portion, Lord, be mine, Be mine love I pine: This only portion, Lord, be mine, Be mine

this better part!this better part!

O that I could for ever sit With Mary at the Master's O that I could for ever sit With Mary at the Master's feet! feet!

Be this my happy choice: Be this my happy choice:

My only care, delight, and bliss, My joy, my My only care, delight, and bliss, My joy, my heaven on earth, be this, To hear the Bridegroom's heaven on earth, be this, To hear the Bridegroom's

voice!voice!

O that with humbled Peter I could weep, believe, and O that with humbled Peter I could weep, believe, and thrice reply my faithfulness to prove, "Thou know'st thrice reply my faithfulness to prove, "Thou know'st (for all to thee is known), "Thou know'st, O Lord, and (for all to thee is known), "Thou know'st, O Lord, and

thou alone, Thou know'st that thee I love!"thou alone, Thou know'st that thee I love!"

O that I could with favoured John recline my weary head O that I could with favoured John recline my weary head upon the great Redeemer's breast! upon the great Redeemer's breast! From care, and From care, and

sin, and sorrow free, Give me, O Lord, to find in thee sin, and sorrow free, Give me, O Lord, to find in thee My everlasting rest."My everlasting rest."

O love, Thou bottomless abyss, O love, Thou bottomless abyss,

My sins are swallowed up in Thee! My sins are swallowed up in Thee!

Covered is my unrighteousness, Covered is my unrighteousness,

Not spot or guilt remains on me, Not spot or guilt remains on me,

While Jesus' blood, through earth While Jesus' blood, through earth and skies, Mercy, free, boundless and skies, Mercy, free, boundless mercy, cries.mercy, cries.

Jesus, Redeemer of Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, mankind,

Display thy saving power; Display thy saving power;

Thy mercy let the sinner Thy mercy let the sinner find, find,

And know his gracious And know his gracious hour.hour.

In age and feebleness extreme, In age and feebleness extreme,

Who shall a sinful worn redeem?Who shall a sinful worn redeem?

Jesus, my only hope thou art,Jesus, my only hope thou art,

Strength of my failing flesh and Strength of my failing flesh and heart;heart;

Oh, could I catch a smile from Oh, could I catch a smile from thee, thee,

And drop into eternity!And drop into eternity!

Charles WesleyCharles Wesley1707 - 17881707 - 1788

http://wesley.nnu.edu/charles_wesley/http://wesley.nnu.edu/charles_wesley/index.htmindex.htm

Charles' Hymns from Charles' Hymns from Anglican Hymn book Anglican Hymn book (revised 1938 Ed.)(revised 1938 Ed.)

5: Christ, whose glory fills the skies (HEATHLANDS) - 17405: Christ, whose glory fills the skies (HEATHLANDS) - 1740 7: Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go (ANGEL'S SONG/WARRINGTON) - 17497: Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go (ANGEL'S SONG/WARRINGTON) - 1749 60: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (HELMSLEY) - 176060: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (HELMSLEY) - 1760 77: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (MENDLESSOHN) - 173977: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (MENDLESSOHN) - 1739 154: Christ the Lord is Ris'n Today (SAVANNAH – JOHN WESLEY) - 1742154: Christ the Lord is Ris'n Today (SAVANNAH – JOHN WESLEY) - 1742 174: Hail to the day that Sees Him Rise (ASCENSION) - 1739174: Hail to the day that Sees Him Rise (ASCENSION) - 1739 373: Ye Servants of God Your Master Proclaim (ST. IGNATIUS) - 1744373: Ye Servants of God Your Master Proclaim (ST. IGNATIUS) - 1744 377: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (RICHMOND) - 1740377: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (RICHMOND) - 1740 392: Rejoice, the Lord is King (DARWALL) - 1746392: Rejoice, the Lord is King (DARWALL) - 1746 419: Soldiers of Christ Arise (FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH) - 1749419: Soldiers of Christ Arise (FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH) - 1749 442: Shepherd Divine, Our Wants Relieve (ST. ETHELDREDA) - 1749442: Shepherd Divine, Our Wants Relieve (ST. ETHELDREDA) - 1749 470: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (HYFRODOL) - 1747470: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (HYFRODOL) - 1747 510: Jesu, Lover of my soul (ABERYSTWYTH) - 1740510: Jesu, Lover of my soul (ABERYSTWYTH) - 1740 543: O For a Heart to Praise my God (WETHERBY) - 1742543: O For a Heart to Praise my God (WETHERBY) - 1742 548: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (STUTTGART) - 1744548: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (STUTTGART) - 1744 611: Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing (DUNDEE) - 1759611: Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing (DUNDEE) - 1759 760: Weary of Wandering from my God (ST. FINBAR) 760: Weary of Wandering from my God (ST. FINBAR)

Bibliography Bibliography

Best, G. M. "Best, G. M. "Charles Wesley: a biographyCharles Wesley: a biography". Werrington, England: Epworth, ". Werrington, England: Epworth, 2006. 2006.

Colquhoun, Frank. "Colquhoun, Frank. "Charles Wesley, 1707 – 1788: the poet of the Charles Wesley, 1707 – 1788: the poet of the Evangelical RevivalEvangelical Revival". ". London: London: Church Book Room Press, 1948. Church Book Room Press, 1948.

Stuart Smith, Jane and Carlson, Betty. "Stuart Smith, Jane and Carlson, Betty. "Great Christian hymn writers.Great Christian hymn writers." " Wheaton, Ill.: Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, c1997. Crossway Books, c1997.

Gillman, Frederick John. "Gillman, Frederick John. "The evolution of the English hymn: an The evolution of the English hymn: an historical survey of the historical survey of the origins origins and development of the hymns of the and development of the hymns of the Christian ChurchChristian Church". New York: ". New York: Macmillan Co., Macmillan Co., 1927.1927.

Manwaring, Randle. "Manwaring, Randle. "A study of hymn-writing and hymn-singing in the A study of hymn-writing and hymn-singing in the Christian churchChristian church". ". Lewiston, N.Y.: Edwin Mellen Press, c1990. Lewiston, N.Y.: Edwin Mellen Press, c1990.

Whaling, Frank. "Whaling, Frank. "John and Charles Wesley: selected prayers, hymns, journal John and Charles Wesley: selected prayers, hymns, journal notes, sermons, notes, sermons, letters and treatises.letters and treatises." New York: Toronto: Paulist Press, " New York: Toronto: Paulist Press, c1981. c1981.

Baker.Baker. A Brief History of Methodism A Brief History of Methodism, from, from ""The Historical Dictionary of The Historical Dictionary of Methodism.Methodism." (2nd Ed.) " (2nd Ed.) Yrigoyan and Warrick, Eds.Yrigoyan and Warrick, Eds.

Documents

Charles Wesley His Life and Hymns. England King Henry the VIII